Statement on exports cost recovery (sustainable funding)

The Albanese Labor Government will introduce a new cost recovery arrangement for export regulatory functions from 1 July 2026 to ensure vital export regulatory services are sustainably funded and continue to meet industry needs.

It will include a phased return to cost recovery over the next three years for most arrangements.

From late January 2026, the Government will invite industry feedback over a five-week consultation period. Engagement will focus on the proposed approach to charging, implementation timing, and practical impacts on businesses.

Australian agricultural exports have enjoyed increasingly strong export results in recent years, benefiting from the work on new and improved market access secured by the Australian Government.

Export arrangements have received $138 million in supplementation measures from Government since 2023-24 and will continue to receive $49 million in supplementation from Government through the transition back to cost recovery.

Overall, the cost of providing these essential regulatory functions has outstripped the revenue raised for 16 of the last 20 years.

The cost of providing these important regulatory arrangements is around 0.2% of the value of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry products we export overseas each year.

The Government is committed to a full consultation process to implement these arrangements.

In late January draft Cost Recovery Implementation Statements (CRIS) and explanatory materials will be released to outline the cost recovery activities, how fees and charges would be calculated, and how stakeholders can provide submissions.