Export Advisory Notice 2009-09 - New Export Fees and Charges - 1 December 2009

Date: 1 December 2009

Title: New Export Fees and Charges - 1 December 2009

The government is funding the Export Certification Reform Package, worth $127.4 million over the next eighteen months to mid 2011.  It includes a new set of export fees and charges to return industry to full cost recovery.

From 1 December 2009 AQIS export certification and inspection services will return to full cost recovery with the reintroduction of the fees and charges.  However due to legislative processes the increase in the assessment competent of livestock export licenses will not commence until 18 December 2009. 

As part of the Export Certification Reform Package there is $85.3 million for fee rebates to assist exporters to transition to the new fees and charges. This funding will be used to provide a 40 percent offset of the full cost impact on export industries to 30 June 2011. The rebates will be automatically applied to all invoiced fees and charges.

A schedule of fees and charges is provided at Attachment A.  Charging Guidelines are available on the AQIS website from 1 December 2009. 

If you require any further information please contact Melissa Sonter on telephone (02) 6272 5953.

Background

In line with the recommendations of the independent review of quarantine and biosecurity arrangements, One biosecurity: a working partnership (the Beale Review), the 40% contribution towards AQIS export certification functions lapsed as scheduled on 30 June 2009.  In conjunction, the Government announced $60 million in funding to support reform of export certification services to coincide with the return to full cost recovery.

New export fees and charges commenced on 1 July 2009 to support a return to full cost recovery.  On 15 September 2009 the Senate passed a motion to disallow the new fees and charges.

Following disallowance, AQIS export fees and charges immediately reverted to those that were in place prior to 1 July 2009.  The disallowance of the export fees and charges did not reinstate the 40% contribution which was in place prior to 1 July 2009.  Consequently, significant shortfalls in revenue were experienced by all export programs.

Further, the shortfall in cash reserves that resulted from this decision meant this important reform agenda could not be progressed at this time due to budget constraints.  Additionally, the shortfall in revenue against export certification program costs resulted in deficits accumulating for each industry sector. 

Attachment A