Next steps on the Australian Fisheries Management Authority Levy relief
Today, the Australian Government announced that Commonwealth commercial fishers do not have to pay remaining Commonwealth fishing levies for 2020. This means the levies to be collected by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 or the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 will be waived from 1 April 2020, for the remainder of the year.
What this means for concession holders?
Levy payments for 2019-20 in relation to Commonwealth fisheries or the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery, that were due on or after 1 April 2020, are not going to be collected by AFMA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Commonwealth concession holders
I have already paid my levy; can I get a refund?
If you have already paid a levy instalment that was due on or after 1 April 2020, you will be contacted by AFMA shortly to organise a return of those funds. We will progress this as quickly as possible, but this is not a simple process and we do appreciate your patience.
I applied to defer my next levy instalment, what will happen now?
Any applications for the deferments of payment for the second instalment of Commonwealth fishing levies will not be activated.
AFMA’s offer to defer the second and third instalments of levies was made prior to and superseded by the Government announcement of waived levies.
You do not need to take any further action.
I did not apply to defer my 2nd levy instalment and I have not paid my next levy instalment; what will happen?
If you have not yet made payment for a Commonwealth fishing levy invoice that was due on 1 April 2020, you are not required to do so.
You do not need to take any further action.
I have entered a payment arrangement to pay the 1st levy instalment; does this change?
No, the arrangement you have made with AFMA to pay your first levy instalment remains. The Government announcement applies only to levy instalments that were due on or after 1 April 2020.
Torres Strait Prawn Fishery
What about my Torres Strait Prawn Fishery Levy?
You are no longer required to make the levy payment. If you have already made your levy payment, you will be contacted by AFMA shortly to organise a return of those funds. We will progress this as quickly as possible, but this is not a simple process and we do appreciate your patience.
If you have any questions, please email levies@afma.gov.au or call 1300 723 621.