Changes to describing your goods when you claim Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) assistance
From 7 September 2009 the Commodity Codes that describe goods for claims for 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.
What happens if you don't use the new codes
If you lodge your TFES claim on or after 7 September 2009 you are required to use the new commodity codes. Your claim may be rejected if you do not use the new codes.
If you lodge your claim electronically
The Tasmanian Bulk Updating System (TBUS) and supported spreadsheet template for electronic claims will include the new commodity codes.
Note: The "Scheme" column in the template has been replaced with "High Density" to enable you to indicate whether the commodity is high density. Where the commodity is high density you are required to insert a "Y" into this column. If the good is not high density you can leave this column blank.
Useful documents to help you decide which code(s) to use
Northbound codes
This document explains the northbound codes.
- Northbound codes [4 pages, PDF: 102KB]
- Northbound codes [10 pages, RTF: 306KB]
Reference sheet - Northbound Codes
This reference sheet compares old and new northbound codes.
- Reference sheet for northbound codes [12 pages, PDF: 129KB]
- Reference sheet for northbound codes [12 pages, RTF: 392KB]
Southbound codes
This document explains the southbound codes.
- Southbound codes [7 pages, PDF: 227KB]
- Southbound codes [5 pages, RTF: 103KB]
Explanatory notes - Southbound codes
This document includes explanatory notes for southbound codes.
- Explanatory notes for southbound codes [17 pages, PDF: 174KB]
- Explanatory notes for southbound codes [17 pages, RTF: 114KB]
Electronic lodgement template
This template for electronic claims includes the new commodity codes.
- Electronic lodgement template [1 pages, XLS: 23KB]
This user guide explains the TFES Bulk Upload Service (TBUS).
- TFES Bulk Upload Service (TBUS) user guide [23 pages, PDF: 2996KB]
This document includes the spreadsheet specification for TFES Bulk Upload System (CSV / Excel files).
- TFES Bulk Upload System spreadsheet specification [25 pages, PDF: 189KB]
- TFES Bulk Upload System spreadsheet specification [27 pages, RTF: 1331KB]
More information
Contact Centrelink’s Tasmanian Transport Programs on 1800 993 347 to get help to lodge your TFES claim using the new commodity codes.