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Tasmanian Wheat Freight Scheme:

What is the Tasmanian Wheat Freight Scheme?

The Tasmanian Wheat Freight Scheme (TWFS) provides assistance to shippers of bulk wheat transported by sea to Tasmania from the Australian mainland. The aim of the Scheme is to ensure that businesses in Tasmania relying on bulk wheat shipments are not unduly disadvantaged, by paying a rebate against the sea freight costs associated with the Bass Strait crossing.

The original scheme, the Tasmanian Wheat Freight Subsidy Scheme, was introduced in 1989, replacing the 30 year old Tasmanian Wheat Freight Levy (TWFL), which subsidised wheat freight costs to Tasmania. Centrelink assumed responsibility for administering the Scheme in July 2004 when containerised wheat became included in the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) and a reconstituted Tasmanian Wheat Freight Scheme (TWFS) was established to cover bulk wheat shipments.

The Scheme operates under Ministerial Directions, approved by the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads on 25 January 2006. Tasmanian Assistance Services administers the Scheme, from Centrelink's Hobart office, on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

All claims for assistance for wheat shipments on or after 1 July 2004 will be assessed in accordance with the Ministerial Directions and processed through Tasmanian Assistance Services. Outstanding claims for assistance, for shipments prior to 30 June 2004, should be directed to the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment.

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Am I eligible for Tasmanian Wheat Freight Scheme assistance?

You may be eligible if you have shipped bulk wheat from the Australian mainland to Tasmania and have paid the sea freight costs. Bulk wheat means wheat shipped loose in a ship’s hold or tanks without any form of unitisation or packaging.

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How do I make a claim for Tasmanian Wheat Freight Scheme assistance?

To claim Tasmanian Wheat Freight Scheme (TWFS) assistance, you can download the claim form and information. The claim forms include instructions for completing and lodging your claim. Details of the supporting documentation that should accompany your claim are provided on page one of the claim form.

Please note: If you are lodging your first claim you must complete the Claimant Information section on page 2 of the claim form. You will also need to do this each time your bank or business details change.

If you need help with your claim, you can contact Tasmanian Assistance Services by:

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How much of my freight costs will I get back?

During the financial year 2006-2007, funding for the Scheme is capped at $1.05 million. Subject to the availability of annual funding, a shipper may be eligible for a subsidy of $20.65 per tonne, provided that the amount of the payment does not exceed the shipper's freight costs.

Payment under the TWFS is discretionary and the amount of any subsidy is dependent on the level of funding available for the Scheme in each financial year. If the annual funding is fully expended in a financial year, payments may be withheld until the following financial year, and made from that year's funding, at the discretion of the Secretary, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

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Can I appeal if I disagree with a decision made about my claim?

Assessment Queries

If you wish to query the assessment of your claim, please telephone Tasmanian Assistance Services on FreeCALL™ 1800 993 347.

Review of Decisions

If you disagree with a decision made by Tasmanian Assistance Services, you can write to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government delegate at the address below, requesting that the decision be reviewed:

Mr Michael Sutton
Assistant Secretary
Maritime Branch
Department of Transport and Regional Services
GPO Box 594
CANBERRA ACT 2601.

Applications to the Assistant Secretary should be made in accordance with clause 7.2 of the Tasmanian Wheat Freight Scheme Ministerial Directions.

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How do I find out more?

For more information or to ask for help, you can:

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