As part of a review of our billing practices, we have identified a billing error. This error has resulted in us overcharging a number of export meat establishments for some meat export inspection activities between 2009 and 2018.
We are now offering repayments to those affected.
We engaged external assurance consultants Callida Consulting. They have provided independent advice and assurance on our calculations and repayment estimates.
How charges were calculated
Meat inspections are charged according to the:
- Export Control (Fees) Orders 2001 (up to 30 November 2015)
- Export Control (Fees) Order 2015 (from 1 December 2015)
Between 2009 and 2018, our charges for overtime and shift loading were not consistent with the legislation.
All invoices reflected actual work undertaken by the department. No one was billed for work that did not occur. The fees charged reflected the department’s actual costs of providing the relevant activity.
Shift loading
We invoiced for shift loadings on a quarter-hour basis, rather than the legislated hourly basis. This occurred from 1 July 2009 to February 2018.
Overtime
We invoiced for overtime as incurred by the officer, rather than the legislated time defined in the legislation. This occurred from 1 December 2015 to February 2018.
Repayment offers
If you have been affected, we will write to you with an initial offer of repayment, based on our estimated calculation of the incorrectly billed amount. This will include a payment of non-compounding interest. This calculation and repayment estimate has been independently assured by Callida Consulting.
If you don’t receive a letter with an offer of repayment within 14 days of this notice, but you consider that you have been impacted by the billing error please email meatpaymentscheme2020@aff.gov.au for information on how to submit your evidence.
Moving forward
We want to assure industry that we have taken the required steps to avoid such billing errors in future.
Our audit processes have proven to work. We identified the billing error, reviewed our processes and implemented measures to rectify the error.
Contact us
- Phone 02 6272 3317
- Email meatpaymentshceme2020@aff.gov.au