Fees and charges to export regulated waste

The Australian Government has decided to delay the commencement of cost recovery for the waste exports scheme until the 2024-25 financial year. The scheme costs for 2023-24 will instead be fully funded from the budget. This supports the recycling industry as it adapts to regulation of waste exports.

Delaying cost recovery means that exporters will continue to pay no application fees for licences or exemptions, or declaration charges to export material for reuse or recycling overseas, until at least 1 July 2024.

Cost recovery arrangements and future funding for the scheme will be reviewed over the coming year to ensure they are fit-for-purpose, once introduced.

Fees and charges will be developed in line with Implementing the Charging Framework (RMG 302), and when introduced, exporters will pay no more than the minimum efficient costs of administering the regulation.

Feedback on proposed fees and charges

The department sought feedback on cost recovery arrangements for the regulation of waste exports between November and December 2022 via the Have Your Say website. Please visit the Have Your Say webpage to review the summary of the feedback obtained. The summary includes the appropriateness of cost recovery for waste exports, levy structure/rates, fee structure/rates, compliance and departmental resourcing.

Cost Recovery Implementation Statement

You can view the previous Cost Recovery Implementation Statement 2020-21 for the waste export program:

Provisions to recover costs through fees and charges will be made through regulations made under the following acts:

The Australian Government is investing in recycling and waste programs through the Recycling Modernisation Fund. Funding supports Australia’s capacity to reuse and remanufacture processed waste domestically.