What it does
This instrument prescribes the quantum and operation of biosecurity charges that the Biosecurity Charges Imposition (General) Act 2015 empowers the Agriculture Department to collect as taxes in relation to a range of biosecurity matters (see s 3; simplified outline at s 5). Mechanically, it does four things:
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fixes a schedule of discrete fees and charges for specific biosecurity matters (the table in s 9(1)). The table lists per-import-declaration charges for goods arriving by aircraft ($43, item 1) and by vessel ($63, item 2), a small per self‑assessed clearance declaration charge for low value goods ($0.36, item 2A), permit application fee under s 177 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 ($122, item 3), a set of reservation, confirmation and management fees for post‑entry quarantine (items 4-10), a per‑square‑metre plant quarantine charge ($291 per sqm per month, item 11), fees for approval of proposed arrangements ($194, item 12), recurring administration/management fees for approved arrangements and compliance agreements (items 13, 13AA, 13AB), a data‑entry fee for persons covered by approved arrangements ($20 per entry, item 13A), and a vessel mooring biosecurity charge for first mooring after entry (item 14, $155 for non‑commercial, $1,354 otherwise). The instrument sets many amounts in whole dollars and some at fractional values (see items 2A and 13A).
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establishes an indexation regime for those dollar amounts (s 9A). From 1 July 2024 and each subsequent 1 July, the instrument provides for CPI‑based indexation using the All Groups Consumer Price Index (8‑capital cities weighted average) for the relevant reference quarter, with rounding rules for cents and whole dollars (s 9A(1)-(9)). It also contains a specific carve‑out: indexation under s 9A does not apply to items 13, 13AA and 13AB on 1 July 2025 (s 9A(1A)).