You may be required to apply for a groundwater licence if you intend to take or use groundwater in the Northern Territory. This licence would allow you to take or use water using a bore system. Water licences are not attached to the land, although the licence does state what property the water is to be used on.
You will not need a groundwater licence if you are using the water for stock and domestic or road construction purposes. However, you will need a water licence if you do not have direct access to the water source or if you are in a water control district.