Our Members / How levies are used
How levies are used
About the PHA Levy
The PHA Levy is a Statutory levy under the:
- Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999; and
- Primary Industries (Excise) Levies regulations 1999.
Under the Plant Health Australia (Plant Industries) Funding Act 2002 (the Funding Act), the PHA Levy may be used to:
- pay the annual PHA Membership fee for a Plant Industry Member
- reimburse PHA for any levy collection fees paid by PHA to the Australian Government on behalf of the Plant Industry Member
- fund projects relating to improving biosecurity for the relevant industry (or industries) and the commodity (or commodities) it represents.
There are more than 20 industries with a PHA Levy that is used to fund activities consistent with the PHA Act.
Plant Industry use of the PHA Levy
The number of plant industries using a PHA Levy continues to grow as does the value of funds raised.
While matching Australian Government funding may be received by a Research and Development Corporation (RDC) for expenditure for eligible research and development (R&D) activities, the PHA Levy does not receive matched funding. However, PHA levies may be paid to an RDC by PHA and receive matched funding for the benefit of plant industries.
PHA and the Plant Industry will agree on the project (or projects) to be funded from PHA Levy funds. There are a range of uses for the PHA Levy within the boundaries of improving biosecurity for the industry (or industries) and the commodity (or commodities) it represents.