The annual charge is incurred by all entities operating an approved arrangement (AA) for each financial year, or part financial year the AA is approved.
Suspended AAs are required to pay the annual AA charge
Where an AA has been current for any time during the financial year, then the charge is payable.
Information about the annual charge is included on all notices sent by the AA section (excluding revocation notices).
How much is the AA annual charge?
The amount of the annual change is determined by the number of AAs with the same ABN.
The rate is not based on the number of days approved – if an AA has been current for any time during the financial year, then the charge is payable.
AAs approved at any time from 1 July to 1 January will incur the full annual charge. If an AA is revoked after 1 July, the full amount of the annual charge is still payable. There is no reduction for revoking an AA.
New AAs approved on or after 2 January will incur half the annual charge. If an AA approved on or after 2 January, the half rate of the annual charge is still payable. There is no reduction for revoking an AA. Where the AA is approved in the next financial year the full annual charge will be incurred.
Table 1 – Type and amount of annual charge
| Charge type | Charge details | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Annual charge - single entity, 1/7 to 30/6 full year | Entities that hold a single approved arrangement registered between July and December will be charged for the whole financial year. | $2,500 |
| Annual charge - single entity, part year approved 2/1 to 30/6 | Entities that hold a single approved arrangement registered after 2 January will be charged only for the second half of the financial year. | $1,250 |
| Annual charge – multiple sites for an entity, full year | Entities that hold multiple approved arrangements (including brokers) registered between July and December will be charged for the whole financial year. | $2,900 |
| Annual charge - multiple sites for an entity, part year approved 2/1 to 30/6 | Entities that hold multiple approved arrangements registered after 2 January will be charged only for the second half of the financial year. | $1,450 |
Invoices
The invoices will be created on the account that is the most active.
Once the invoice is issued, payment is due in accordance with the terms detailed on the invoice.
Payment can be made online - https://online.agriculture.gov.au/payments/faces/payment.
Any outstanding invoices are considered a debt to the Commonwealth.
Refunds
There is no discount or refund when an AA is revoked (cancelled) during the financial year. This means if the AA is approved for only a day/week/month during the first half of the financial year the full approved arrangement annual charge is payable.
Frequently asked questions
I have a question about the AA annual charge, who do I contact?
The online enquiries page is the preferred method of contacting the department about the AA annual charge - https://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/contact/online-enquiry or call 1800 900 090.
My AA was revoked (cancelled) in the first half of the financial year. Do I still have to pay?
Yes - the full AA annual charge is payable where an AA exists in a financial year, even if only for a day.
My AA was revoked in the first half of the financial year after I paid the annual fee. Can I get a refund?
No - There is no refund available for the annual charge.
Due to circumstances out of my control can I ask for the charge to be waived?
You can apply for a remission of the annual charge. To progress we need a request for a remission (you may be more familiar with the term waiver) and if the reason is financial hardship, we would need this included (explanation of circumstances). If you have any proof of hardship, please include that as well (visitor stats, revenue and financial statements).
When complete please send to ARHelpdesk@agriculture.gov.au.
Our entity holds multiple AAs, can the invoice be split evenly amongst AAs and each AA issued an invoice separately?
No – each entity is issued one invoice per ABN.
How do I update my account information?
Email ARHelpdesk@agriculture.gov.au with changes to your account.
How can I make a payment or enquire about a payment already made?
Visit the departments online payments page https://online.agriculture.gov.au/payments/faces/payment