Change in application fees for Refrigerant Handling Licences and Trading Authorisations

From 1 January 2013 application fees for refrigeration handling licences and trading authorisations will increase for
the first time in eight years.

The regulations (Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995) allowing
the increase in application fees were amended and approved on 22 November 2012.

The rise on 1 January 2013 covers the increase in the cost of administering the scheme since its inception and
establishes a basis for the indexation of fees in the future. The indexation of fees will apply annually from 1 January
2014 and will be based on the wage price index published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (Catalogue
6345.0).

Why is the Government increasing the fees?

The fee increases are necessary to meet the rising costs of business and are consistent with the Australian
Government's principles for cost recovery adopted in 2002.

Consultation on the fee increases commenced in 2009 through the Australian Refrigeration Council to their industry
members. Respondents to the consultation process were generally supportive of the fee increases, recognising the
need for financial sustainability to continue service provision by the refrigeration and air conditioning industry board.

Do I pay the higher fees if I apply in December but receive my licence in January?

No. The increased application fees will only be applied to any applications submitted on or after 1 January 2013. If
you submit an application for a Refrigerant Handling Licence or Trading Authorisation in December 2012, you will
pay the lower fee identified in table above, even if your licence or authorisation is not granted until January.

Applications are regarded as being ''submitted' when they are lodged through ARC's electronic application
submission process, or, for hard copies sent by mail, when they are received by the ARC.

The new fee structure for January to December 2013: