Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme
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Commodity code changes
From 7 September 2009 the commodity codes that describe goods for claims for Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) assistance are changing.
Note: If you already provide descriptive details about your TFES claim, there will be no change. For example, if you are shipping ‘sand’ and you input code ‘76’, you will now have to input code ‘15310’. If you write ‘sand’ then you will not have to use the new code.
Based on recommendations from the Productivity Commission’s 2006 Report, to improve the administration of TFES with more comprehensive data about the scheme, the new commodity codes have been developed. Further, to make the scheme more robust, these new commodity codes will assist the audit and compliance regime to achieve greater accountability for TFES funds.
The commodity codes are based upon the internationally recognised coding system, United Nations Central Product Classification (CPC) Version 2, which allows external agencies to more closely analyse TFES data.
Find out more about Changes to describing your goods when you claim Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) assistance.
Overview
The Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) assists shippers to transport goods by sea, between Tasmania and the Australian mainland, to help reduce freight costs imposed by Bass Strait.
The Scheme operates under a set of Directions issued by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Tasmanian Assistance Services delivers the Scheme, from Centrelink's Hobart office, on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport.
Eligible goods
There are 3 categories for eligible goods.
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How to claim
Claim forms and information about making a claim.
Rates of assistance
Rates of assistance for freight costs.
Appeal rights
Query a policy decision or the assessment of your claim.
Intrastate extension - King Island and the Furneaux Group
On 1 July 2008 the Australian Government extended the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme to include intrastate sea freight shipped between King Island and the main island of Tasmania, and between Flinders Island and the main island of Tasmania. Since 16 November 2008 this has been further extended to include shipments of freight between any island in the Furneaux Group and the main island of Tasmania.
Find out more about the Intrastate component - King Island and the Furneaux Group.
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Additional assistance - the Furneaux Group
Since 8 September 2008, additional assistance is available under the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme for northbound interstate shipments from Flinders Island to mainland Australia. From 16 November 2008, any island in the Furneaux Group is also included in this category.
Online TFES publications
The TFES scheme is administered in accordance with Ministerial Directions approved by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Eligibility requirements and rates of assistance are described in the Ministerial Directions publications available from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport website.
- TFES Ministerial Directions - September 2009 [PDF: 345 KB]
- Guidelines for TFES MDs - November 2009 [PDF: 1087 KB]
More information
- Visit the Department of Infrastructure and Transport website
- Phone Tasmanian Assistance Services on (03) 6222 2580 or FreeCALL™ 1800 993 347
- Email Tasmanian Assistance Services at tfes.support@centrelink.gov.au
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