The game animal levy was first introduced 1 July 1993. Goats, pigs and kangaroos that are wild animals that have been killed in their habitat by a shot from a firearm will attract the game animals levy. The National Residue Survey (NRS) is responsible for the expenditure of the game animals levy.
For information about the game animal kangaroos levy visit the Macropods levy webpage.
Game animals levy rates
The game animals levy rates are:
Commodity | National Residue Survey (NRS) | Total |
---|---|---|
Game goats | 3 cents per carcase | 3 cents per carcase |
Game pigs | 25 cents per carcase | 25 cents per carcase |
The game animals levy is calculated per head. GST is not applied to Australian Government levies.
A producer, the person who processes the game animal is liable to pay the levy.
A producer must lodge a return and make a payment to the department.
A producer means the person who, if the game animal is only processed at 1 processing establishment, the proprietor of the establishment is taken to be the producer of the animal, or if the game animal is partly processed at 2 or more processing establishments, the proprietor of the processing establishment at which the animal was last processed is taken to be the producer of the animal.
No exemptions apply to the game animals levy.
You must register with the department to receive a unique LRS number before you can lodge your first return.
To lodge your return online, access Levies Online . Alternatively, you can complete a game animals (goats and pigs) and horses return form. If you are lodging a game animals return for kangaroos, your return needs to be lodged using the Macropods and Game Animals (kangaroos) return.
IMPORTANT: If you pay your levy late you will incur a penalty that is calculated daily at a compounding rate of two (2) per cent of the unpaid amount each month, including any penalties you have already accrued, until you have paid the outstanding amount in full.
The game animals levy is based on a financial year.
Monthly returns and payments
Monthly returns and payments must be lodged with the department on or before the 28th day of the next month.
Example: for the month of July, the return and payment is due to the department on or before 28 August.
As a processor who processed game animals in a month, your return for a month must state, in respect of the month, the:
- Producers full name, business or residential address (not the address of a post office box or post office bag), and if the person is a company—its Australian Company Number (ACN).
- If the full name, business address or post office box of the processing establishment of which the producer is the proprietor is different to that of the producer, the business or residential address (not the address of a post office box or post office bag), and if the proprietor is a company its ACN.
- Month to which the return relates
- Number of leviable pigs processed at the abattoir in the month
- Number of leviable goats processed at the abattoir in the month
- Total number of leviable game animals
- Amount of levy payable/paid on the processed pigs
- Amount of levy payable/paid on the processed goats
- Total amount of levy payable on the game animals, and
- Total amount of levy paid on the game animals.
If you are lodging a game animals return for kangaroos, your return needs to be lodged using the Macropods and Game Animals (Kangaroos) return. Your return for a month must also state in respect of the month, the:
- Number of leviable kangaroos processed at the abattoir in the month
- Amount of levy payable/paid on the processed kangaroos
As a processor who processed game animals in a month, you must keep records for five (5) years, setting out for each day of that month, the:
- Number of leviable pigs processed at the abattoir on each day of the month, and
- Number of leviable goats processed at the abattoir on each day of the month, and.
- Number of leviable kangaroos processed at the abattoir on each day of the month
- Number of leviable pigs processed at the abattoir during the month,
- Number of leviable goats processed at the abattoir during the month, and
- Number of leviable kangaroos processed at the abattoir during the month.
The game animals levy is provided for under the:
National Residue Survey (Excise) Levies Act 1998
Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991.
This information is a guide only. If you are required to lodge a return and make a payment to the department, it is your responsibility to remain aware of your obligations under legislation.
Contact us
If you have any questions about levies and charges, your levies account or how to lodge your return, please contact the Levies Helpdesk via email: levies.management@awe.gov.au or call us on 1800 020 619