17 May 2023
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to invite the plant exports industry to attend a webinar on Friday, 19 May 2023 at 4:00PM AEST about the new Biosecurity Protection Levy.
Summary of changes and key points
- From 1 July 2024, a new biosecurity protection levy will commence on all domestic primary producers to meet the cost of new biosecurity sustainable funding for a stronger biosecurity system.
- This levy seeks a modest contribution to the cost of the Commonwealth biosecurity effort to prevent pests and diseases entering Australia.
- The levy is estimated to collect around $50m per annum. This is equivalent to 6% of 2024-25 biosecurity funding and around 10% of total industry agricultural levy contributions at present.
- The Biosecurity Funding Sustainability Division will be running webinars followed by Q & A sessions to discuss the Australian Government’s biosecurity sustainable funding budget measures and answer questions on specific aspects of the biosecurity protection levy via Microsoft Teams on Friday, 19 May 2023 at 4:00PM AEST.
Note: Further sessions will likely take place the week commencing 29 May 2023.
- All industry representatives are encouraged to participate. To register for the webinar, please see the EventBrite invitation.
Background
The 2023-24 Federal Budget delivers the Australian Government’s election commitment to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system with long-term sustainable funding; away from past reliance on stop-gap measures.
This involves new funding of over $1b over 4 years and $267m per year ongoing from 2027-28.
While more dedicated taxpayer funding than ever is being committed, the Government has asked risk creators and those who benefit from strong biosecurity protection to make additional contributions. This will see taxpayers, importers, international travellers and domestic producers all contributing.
We will commence formal industry consultation next month to finalise design details and associated implementation arrangements. This will include working with producers and collection agents to ensure the administrative cost of implementation is as low as possible.
Industry and stakeholder enquiries
Industry and stakeholders seeking further information or wishing to be engaged in future consultation can send their enquiries to us at Biosecurity Sustainable Funding.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email Biosecurity Sustainable Funding.
Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch