Are fees for wildlife trade proposed to continue?
Cost recovery is already in place for some wildlife trade activities under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), such as wildlife trade permits. Cost recovery will continue for these activities, although the current fees will be increased.
For permits where there are currently no fees, no new fees are proposed.
What fees are proposed for wildlife trade?
Wildlife trade fees have not increased in ten years. This means there will be an increase from the current fee level, but will still be below full cost recovery.
The proposed fees are outlined in the table below.
| Regulatory Activity | Current fee | Proposed new fee (2012-13) |
|---|---|---|
| Single use permits | $30 | $60 |
| Multiple use permits | $75 per six months | $150 per six months |
| Facility assessment | $150 | $300 |
| Import/Export of domesticated species (s303 FG) | $150 | $300 |
| Personal baggage permits | $1 per permit | $2 per permit |
| Testing permits | $150 | $150 |
| Exceptional circumstances permits | $150 | $300 |
Details of fees for future years will be provided in the regulations.
Why are the fees being increased?
Wildlife trade fees have not been reviewed for the last 10 years. The cost recovery review found that in order to better reflect the cost of the service that the department provides, fees should be increased accordingly. This will also make fees more consistent with the Australian Government's Cost Recovery Guidelines.
When will the new fees be introduced?
The increase in wildlife trade related fees consulted on in the context of the draft CRIS do not require amendments to the EPBC Act, and would only require changing current regulations. Existing fees will apply until changes to the EPBC regulations are made. The timing for the changes to the regulations is a matter for the Government.
Once the new fees are finalised, the Department will provide advice to existing applicants of fee changes that apply following changes to the regulations.
When are fees due?
As per the current arrangements, fees must be paid before an application is assessed.
Will there be any exemptions or waivers?
The full range of exemptions for wildlife trade are provided in the EPBC regulations, and outlined in the draft CRIS.
Current fee exemptions, including instances where the applicant is the Commonwealth or a state or territory government, will still apply. There are no waiver provisions for wildlife trade permits.
Are there any other key changes proposed for wildlife trade?
Annual fee indexation is proposed to be introduced to ensure that fees are increased in line with increases in costs of delivering the services progressively over time.
What if I have other questions about the impact of cost recovery on wildlife trade permits?
If you have any additional questions, please call the Departmental Community Information Unit on 1800 803 772 or email your query to the Cost Recovery Mailbox at: epbc.costrecovery@environment.gov.au