The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has announced that the 2020-21 Management and Research Levy arrangements for Commonwealth fisheries have been confirmed and the levy rates for the year have been set.
Levy is charged to Commonwealth fisheries concession owners to cover 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 2020-21 is divided into three instalments. The expected invoice issue and due dates are outlined below.
| Levy invoice | Expected issue date | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 January 2021 | 10 February 2021 |
| 2 | 10 March 2021 | 7 April 2021 |
| 3 | 3 May 2021 | 31 May 2021 |
There has been an overall decrease to the Commonwealth fisheries levy rates for 2020-21. Nine fisheries and one sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) have had a decrease in levy while the other five fisheries and two sectors of the SESSF have seen an increase in levy for 2020-21.
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/under collections; and
- 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 2020-21 including individual concession rates, in the AFMA Levy Arrangements Guide 2020-21, available on the AFMA website.
