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Fisheries Structural Adjustment
The Fisheries Structural Adjustment component of the Securing our Fishing Future package includes:
Business Exit Assistance – Fishing Concession Voluntary Surrender
Business Advice Assistance
Assistance for Skippers and Crew
Onshore Business Assistance
Fishing Community Assistance
Australian Fisheries Management Authority Levy Subsidy and Research
Business Exit Assistance – Fishing Concession Voluntary Surrender
The Australian Government has now completed the Business Exit Assistance Fishing Concession Voluntary Surrender component of the Securing our Fishing Future package.
- Business Exit Assistance Round 1 Results
PDF [32kb] - Business Exit Assistance Round 2 Results PDF [29kb]
- Regional Analysis of both rounds of Business Exit Assistance PDF [31kb]
The Australian Government allocated $150 million for a one-off, voluntary tender process to allow individual fishing businesses to exit from the industry or rationalise their business and remain in the industry. Two rounds of a competitive tender process were undertaken within a capped budget, with the aim of reducing excess fishing in fisheries that are subject to overfishing or at significant risk of overfishing.
Business Exit Assistance was delivered through two competitive tenders. The first tender round closed on 22 June 2006, and an announcement of the outcomes was made on 15 September 2006. The second round opened on Thursday 19 October 2006 and closed on the 23 November 2006. The results of the second round were announced on 22 December 2006.
Business Advice Assistance
Business Advice Assistance is now closed.
The Australian Government provided Business Advice Assistance to reimburse eligible fishing concession holders up to $1,500 (GST inclusive) to help cover the costs of professional advice obtained related to Business Exit Assistance.
Business Advice Assistance Fact Sheet PDF [90kb]
Class Tax Ruling regarding key aspects of the Securing Our Fishing Future Package
Class rulings (CR 2006/42 and CR 2006/132) have been released by the Australian Taxation Office on the following key aspects of the Securing Our Fishing Future package:
- the Business Exit Assistance (Round 1 and Round 2) Request for Tender in relation to the voluntary surrender of fishing concessions (RFT DAFF47/06), including the Boat Scrapping Incentive, and
- Business Advice Assistance.
Assistance for Skippers and Crew
DAFF provided a one-off lump sum of $5,000 for skippers and $3,000 for individual crew members who lost employment as a direct result of a successful tender for Business Exit Assistance – Fishing Concession Voluntary Surrender. This assistance was provided to help offset any costs that may have been incurred with relocation and/or retraining for alternate employment.
- Guidelines for Assistance for Skippers and Crew PDF [81kb]
- Application Form for Assistance for Skippers and Crew PDF [60kb]
The Department obtained a class ruling from the Australian Taxation Office on the tax treatments of this assistance.
Onshore Business Assistance
The Australian Government has now completed the assessment of all applications for Onshore Business Assistance Program. All applicants have been notified of the outcomes. This assistance was to help significantly impacted businesses in a manner that will both strengthen Australia’s onshore sector and help those most vulnerable from the impacts of fishery reductions. Two types of assistance were available under the Onshore Business Assistance component, Onshore Business Development Assistance and Onshore Business Exit Assistance.
DAFF is currently in the process of finalising Funding Deeds for all successful applicants awarded grants under Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of this program.
Documents relevant to Onshore Business Assistance
- Onshore Business Assistance Guidelines PDF [640kb]
Word [784kb] - Onshore Business Development Assistance Application form PDF [962kb] Word [1.1mb]
- Onshore Business Exit Assistance Application form PDF [739kb] Word [814kb]
Fishing Community Assistance
The Australian Government has now completed the assessment of all applications for Fishing Community Assistance. All applicants have been notified of the outcomes. This assistance was to provide financial assistance to communities across Australia that were vulnerable due to the impacts from the reductions in fishing activity associated with the Package Securing our Fishing Future package.
DAFF is currently in the process of finalising Funding Deeds for all successful applicants awarded grants under Rounds 1 and 2.
Documents relevant to Fishing Community Assistance
- Fishing Community Assistance Guidelines PDF [640kb] Word [784kb]
- Fishing Community Assistance Application Form PDF [937kb] Word [1mb]
- Fishing Community Assistance Brochure PDF [545kb]
- Fishing Community Assistance Funding Agreement PDF [226kb]
Australian Fisheries Management Authority Levy Subsidy and Research
For those remaining in the industry, the Australian Government is providing $15 million over three years to subsidise the Australian Fisheries Management Authority’s fisheries management fees. The subsidies will be provided on a reducing scale, for financial years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09.
The Australian Government will provide a further $6 million for science, compliance and data collection to improve the management of Commonwealth fisheries.
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority is administering this component.
