Licences and reporting requirements

Reporting and payments - Frequently asked questions

1. This is my first notification, what do I do now?

You are required to submit a report on the import/ export of gases that relate to the licence that you hold. The report relates to the import/ export of gases for the past quarter.

You are required to lodge an accurate and complete quarterly report before 15 January 2013 (11:59pm on 14 January)

If you require any further assistance, please email the licence reporting team at: ozonereporting@environment.gov.au. Please note that this inbox will not be monitored between 5pm 24 December 2012 to 9am, 2 January 2013.

2. I didn't import or export gases for the past quarter, do I need to submit a report?

Yes. All reports including a NIL report are required to be submitted and lodged on or before 15 January 2013 (11:59pm on the 14th January).

If you do not have your report submitted and approved by the department by 11:59pm on 14 January 2013 you will be at risk of non-compliance under the Act and liable to incur a penalty of $10 200 for individuals and $51 000 for companies. Refer to Q6 for further information

3. How do I submit a report?

Step 1

To submit your report (including a NIL report), please visit the department's website at: www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/licences/licencereporting.html.

The website will direct you to the licence reporting page which lists all reports by import/export and licence type.

Step 2

Once you submit your report, you will receive a notification from the department confirming it has been received. Please note that this notification does not mean that it has been accepted by the department for lodgement, only that it has been received for assessment.

Once the report has been accepted by the Department, you will receive an electronic notification. Reports will be assessed within 5 working days.

If you require any further assistance, please email the licence reporting team at: ozonereporting@environment.gov.au.

4. Which report do I use?

Your report or reports should relate to the type of licence or licences that you hold. Please visit the department's website at: www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/licences/licencereporting.html.

The website will direct you to the licence reporting page which lists all reports by import/ export and licence type. If you require any further assistance, please email the licence reporting team at: ozonereporting@environment.gov.au

5. I can't report by the due date

Reports must be lodged before 15 January 2013 (by11:59pm on 14 January) following the end of the reporting quarter. These reporting timeframes and reporting obligations have been in place since 2004.

Only accurate and completed reports submitted on or before the due date will be deemed to have been lodged. You will receive an automatic notification from the department following the lodgement of your report.

Early submission of your report gives you the best opportunity to remedy any deficiencies identified by the department before the due date.

6. How will I know if my report has been lodged?

You will receive an automatic notification from the department following the acceptance of the lodgement of your report by the department.

7. When will I receive an invoice to pay the levy?

An invoice for the levy will be issued once the department is satisfied that the report meets the relevant requirements of the Act and is deemed lodged. Following the lodgement of your report, your invoice will be generated within 20 business days.

8. What if I'm unable to make the Payment within 60 days?

Payments must be made within 60 days. The 60 day payment period commences from the first day after the end of the reporting quarter that the levy relates to. In this case, payments must be made to the department by 1 March 2013.

If a payment has not been received in full on or before the due date, you will automatically incur a penalty charged at 30 per cent per annum, on the balance of the unpaid amount (as specified in section 69(2) of the Act.

To avoid incurring a penalty, all payments must be received by the department either on or before the due date by the following methods:

into the departments bank account
by the department if paying by cheque

If your payment is not received by the department by the due date, the applicable penalty will apply.

For more information on paying your levy, please visit:
www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/sgg/equivalentcarbonprice/payments.html

9. I import synthetic greenhouse gases, what does the levy comprise of?

The licence levy for synthetic greenhouse gases consists of two components: a cost recovery levy and the equivalent carbon levy. For more information on how the equivalent carbon levy is calculated, please refer to: www.environment.gov.au/equivalentcarbonprice.

10. I import/ manufacture ozone depleting substances, what does the levy comprise of?

The licence levy for ozone depleting substances consists of a cost recovery levy.

11. I submitted an incorrect quarterly report and have requested for it to be withdrawn. Has my request been accepted?

All requests to withdraw quarterly reports must be sent to ozonereporting@environment.gov.au. You will need to provide details of your current licence number, lodgement reference and reason for the report being withdrawn.

You will be sent an email notification advising you that the report has been rejected by the department. The notification will be sent within 3 working days from the date of your request.

Only nominated contacts will be able to request this information.

12. What if the nominated contact for the licence has left?

Changes to nominated contacts need to be submitted electronically at:
www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/licences/licencereporting.html#details.

Requests will be actioned within 3 working days.

13. How will I know if my request to withdraw a quarterly report has been actioned?

You will be sent an email notification advising you that the report has been rejected by the department. The notification will be sent within 3 working days from the date of your request.

14. Will I still be liable for penalties/late lodgement if I don't lodge a subsequent report in the timeframe?

Yes. Reports must be lodged before 15 January 2013 (by 11:59pm on 14January). These reporting timeframes and reporting obligations have been in place since 2004.

15. I didn't receive a notification on submission of the report? How will I know if it has been lodged?

Please submit a request in writing to ozonereporting@environment.gov.au and include the licence name, licence number and approximate date and time of your report being submitted. Your enquiry will be processed within 3 working days.

The advice provided above is intended to be for your general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss or damage that you or any other person may suffer, either directly or indirectly, arising out of your use of, or reliance upon, the information we are providing. Before acting upon the information, you should obtain your own legal or other professional advice.