The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) charges Commonwealth fisheries concession owners a Management and Research Levy each year. The levy covers the annual costs associated with managing and ensuring the sustainability of Commonwealth fisheries.
Commonwealth concession owners are required to contribute to the cost of managing the fishery in which they own a fishing concession. The total levy amount owed by concession owners for 2024-25 is divided into three instalments. The expected invoice issue and due dates are outlined below.
| Levy invoice number | Expected issue date | Due date |
| 1 | 15 January 2025 | 12 February 2025 |
| 2 | 12 March 2025 | 9 April 2025 |
| 3 | 2 May 2025 | 30 May 2025 |
There has been an overall increase to the Commonwealth fisheries levy rates for 2024–25. Three fisheries and one sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) have had a decrease in levy while the other 11 fisheries and two sectors of the SESSF have seen an increase in levy for 2024–25.
Levy rates for each fishery vary due to several factors, including:
- changes in management and research priorities for each fishery
- adjustment for prior year over or under collections
- changes in priorities through the financial year that alter the amount of resources required to administer the fishery.
AFMA remains committed to providing efficient and cost-effective fisheries management and continues to work closely with the Commonwealth Fisheries Association (CFA) to identify opportunities for future efficiencies.
Find more information on the levy rates and arrangements for 2024–25 including individual concession rates, in the AFMA Levy Arrangements Guide 2024–25.