Import Industry Advice Notice 61-2017 (NNF 2017/135)

The following information has been provided by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in Industry Advice Notice 61-2017 Increase to Commonwealth penalty unit value and is forwarded for your attention.

Who does this notice affect?

The change affects passengers and crew travelling to Australia, senders and receivers of international mail and other persons who fail to comply with their obligations and commit offences under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation.

The change will be reflected in infringement notices issued by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and court imposed fines.

Summary

Higher financial penalties will soon be in place for breaches of most Commonwealth laws.

Under most Commonwealth laws, financial penalties are expressed in terms of ‘penalty units’ instead of dollar figures. As an example, a maximum fine would generally be expressed as ‘10 penalty units’ as opposed to ‘$1800’.

On 1 July 2017, the value of a penalty unit will increase from $180 to $210.

Click HERE to view the full Notice.