Share your thoughts on the proposed cost recovery arrangements for non-prescribed goods
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the cost recovery arrangements for non-prescribed goods (NPG) exports. The proposed changes support full cost recovery for export regulatory activities and services from 1 July 2027.
The NPG export framework supports Australia’s agricultural exports through providing government certificates, assurance and regulatory oversight activities that help exporters meet Australian export legislation and importing-country requirements. These services support market access and help maintain Australia’s reputation as a trusted exporter of agricultural products.
Consistent with the Australian Government Charging Policy, the proposed arrangements include cost recovery charges imposed under the department’s portfolio legislation. These comprise charges (also referred to as cost recovery levies) for sector-wide regulatory activities and fees for service for activities provided at the request of an applicant.
The proposed cost recovery arrangements fund the regulatory activities required to administer and maintain the NPG export system, including government certificates, compliance, assurance, market access and supporting regulatory functions.
This consultation provides exporters, industry representative bodies and other stakeholders with an opportunity to review and provide feedback on the proposed charging arrangements.
We are particularly interested in your views on the proposed cost base, charging methodology, pricing structure and the proposed transition to full cost recovery. Your feedback will help inform the final arrangements and support a transparent, efficient and sustainable approach to funding NPG export regulatory services.
Under the Export Assurance Reform program, many NPGs will become prescribed as general products under the Export Control Act 2020 in 2027 with a staged rollout concluding in 2029.
These include:
Rendered products – including protein and bone meals, inedible tallow and spray-dried blood
Animal food – including pet food, stockfeed and feed additives (except minerals)
Skins and hides – including raw and preserved hides
Honeybee products – including honey, beeswax, royal jelly and propolis
Wool and wool grease – including greasy, scoured and carbonised wool, and wool grease
Feathers – including untreated feathers and feathers that have been cleaned/sterilised but not further processed
Pharmaceutical products – products of animal origin intended for the manufacture of medical products or veterinary medical products, such as bovine pericardium
Animal blood products – animal blood products including plasma, antisera and foetal bovine serum
Food and beverages – broadly covering food and drinks, including ingredients, but excluding alcohol. This also includes edible products when not prescribed by other export control rules, such as edible tallow, duck eggs, or fish oil capsules.
Goods that remain non-prescribed after this reform will be subject to the new NPG cost recovery arrangements included in this consultation.
The proposed cost recovery arrangements for general products are being consulted on concurrently.