Social and economic impacts on communities will be considered when decisions are made on returning Murray-Darling water to the environment.
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The amendment was one of dozens agreed to as the government's overhaul of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan passed the Senate on Thursday, with support from the Greens and crossbenchers.
The $13 billion plan aimed to return 450 gigalitres of water to the environment by June 2024 but that deadline will be moved to the end of 2027.
The Restoring Our Rivers bill must now return to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to be easily passed by the Labor majority.
Farmers hit back against the bill
Many farmers and producers have come out against the new deal, warning their communities will suffer as a result of buybacks.
National Farmers' Federation president David Jochinke described the bill as a "kick in the guts", which will hurt farmers, families, and businesses.
"This will sound the death knell for countless jobs in these communities and will cut food and fibre production in an area that grows 40% of what Australia produces," Mr Jochinke said.
"The impacts will be felt by all Australians at the supermarket checkout."
Thousands of people took to the streets across the Riverina to protest against buybacks this month, but Mr Jochinke said the government was out of touch with regional communities and had let them down.
"The Government has said buybacks must provide value for the taxpayer and benefit the environment," Mr Jochinke said.
"We will continue to engage with the Government to ensure it doesn't lose sight of these objectives."
Concessions for crossbenchers
A deal with Victorian independent David Van led to the insertion of a clause ensuring the responsible minister considers the "social and economic impact of the program on communities in the Murray-Darling Basin" in deciding on water purchases.
The minister would have to report on matters taken into account when making decisions.
ACT independent senator David Pocock struck a deal which will see an additional $20 million for the health and monitoring of the Upper Murrumbidgee.
Another $30 million will be in the contingency reserve for more water in the Upper Murrumbidgee during drought-like conditions.
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe gained support for an amendment to ensure the use and management of basin water resources takes into account the "spiritual, cultural, environmental, social and economic matters relevant to Indigenous people".
The laws would put in place a new agreement with all basin states except Victoria, which is opposed to more buybacks.
The Greens struck a deal on a raft of amendments including an independent audit of water in the basin and $100 million for First Nations water and the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program.
The federal opposition argues buybacks are not the best way to protect the river system as they hurt regional communities.
They want to see more water-efficient infrastructure and updated modelling on flows.
with Australian Associated Press
