Considering and managing the cumulative impacts of groundwater withdrawals can help avoid unanticipated adverse impacts related to assessing and managing individual activities in isolation. Yet Australian laws and policies dealing with considering and managing cumulative impacts provide little guidance on implementation, and little research exists documenting how implementation occurs in practice, and the challenges experienced. Understanding these challenges will ultimately help improve the effectiveness of these laws. An exploratory survey of groundwater practitioners in all Australian States and Territories—the first of its kind—was undertaken to understand the challenges experienced by practitioners in considering cumulative impacts. Survey respondents were drawn from attendees and registrants for the 2016 Distinguished Lecture series of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training and the International Association of Hydrogeologists (Australia). The survey included a combination of pre-coded response options and open questions. Respondents were asked to identify the importance of cumulative impacts, challenges in considering them, the importance of these challenges, and potential solutions. Results were collected electronically and on paper forms. The study uses content analysis to code key themes relating to challenges and solutions, and contrasts these themes with those identified in similar surveys undertaken overseas, and with challenges identified in the relevant scientific literature (typically case studies relating to specific geographic locations or projects, rather than individual laws or policies). Emergent themes relate to information availability (particularly in relation to baseline conditions) and modelling challenges, perceived constraints relating to regulation and regulatory institutions, allocation of responsibility between proponents, and social/political factors. The survey results can help guide regulators (eg groundwater licensing agencies and environmental and resources planning agencies), development proponents, and communities (including groundwater users and others) in relation to areas that would benefit from further policy development or clarification, resourcing, and attention during regulatory processes.