Independent review of the cost of export certification

In 2019 the department commissioned Ernst & Young to undertake an independent review of the costs of our export certification activities. These costs were set out in the 2020-21 food and plant export Cost Recovery Implementation Statements (CRIS). This review informed our public consultation on the CRISs.

Timing

Ernst & Young developed the report in 2019 and early 2020 – it contains data and information relevant to that time. The report was delivered in March 2020.

The Independent Review of the Cost of Export Certification – Report 2020

Download

Independent Review of the cost of export certification (PDF 1.37 MB)

Benchmarking Framework (PDF 1.81 MB)

If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact the Cost Recovery team for assistance.

Objectives

This review focused on food and plant export cost recovery. It did not include the live animal exports CRIS.

The independent reviewer:

  • engaged with industry representatives for their views on how efficiently and effectively we deliver food and plant export certification regulatory functions
  • investigated key cost drivers and consider other ways we can deliver our key regulatory functions more cost effectively
  • assessed possible reported or discovered inefficiencies and recommend how we can improve our regulatory functions, including the use of technology solutions
  • developed a benchmarking framework based on comparable public and private sector regulatory activities.

Scope

The review considered other relevant reviews, analysis and policies. This included:

  • importing country requirements
  • the Australian Government Cost Recovery Guidelines
  • the government’s policy to achieve and maintain full cost recovery of export certification activity
  • our broader policy and regulatory obligations
  • relevant analysis and costings of our cost recovery arrangements
  • Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) and industry commissioned reports from 2015.

About the reviewer

Dean Yates is a Partner and Victorian Government Leader for Ernst & Young. To learn more about Dean visit the Ernst & Young website.