Date of issue: 14 May 2021
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to notify industry that a draft 2021–22 cost recovery implementation statement (CRIS) for each food export arrangement has been published on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment's website for public consultation.
Key points
- It is government policy to recover the full cost of delivering export regulatory services. Under the Australian Government Charging Framework, the department must regularly document changes to regulatory charging activities through a CRIS.
- Each 2021–22 CRIS proposes updated prices for 2021–22 to 2024–25, including stepped increases to full cost recovery as outlined in the More Efficient and Sustainable Export Regulation measure from the 2020–21 Budget Busting Congestion for Agricultural Exporters package.
- Information on an alternative charging structure has also been outlined in a discussion paper, consistent with the structures proposed during the 2019-20 consultation. We will continue to engage with you on how we charge as reforms across the export regulatory system are implemented.
Next steps
- Consultation on the 2021–22 CRIS to implement increased fees and charges from 1 July 2021 is now open.
- We want your feedback on how the proposed arrangement outlined in the CRIS will impact you or your business. Your views will inform the final CRIS.
- We are also seeking your advice on the impacts of the alternative structure outlined in the discussion papers compared to the charges as described in the 2021–22 CRIS, and whether you prefer either structure.
- Changes to the prices and charges must be approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management and written into legislation before changes come into effect from 1 July 2021.
- Please provide feedback on the department's Have Your Say platform by 10 June 2021. You can respond to our survey and provide a written submission if you have anything to add to your survey response.
- We will be arranging virtual information sessions to explain the CRIS and new fees and charges.
Background
- We consulted publicly in 2019 and 2020 on updated charging arrangements. A summary of the feedback received is included in each 2021–22 CRIS.
- The government provided $71.1 million under the Busting Congestion package to freeze fees and charges in 2020–21 and implement stepped increases to return to full cost recovery by 2023–24. This decision was informed by consultation with industry on previous CRIS, consideration of the impacts of COVID–19, the 2019–20 bushfires and the effects of drought.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email CostRecovery@awe.gov.au.
The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importer prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.