Financial help for Tasmanian businesses to move goods by sea

Overview

The Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme provides financial assistance for the costs incurred shipping eligible non-bulk goods by sea.

The scheme aims to provide Tasmanian industries with equal opportunities to compete in other markets, as Tasmanian shippers do not have the option of transporting goods interstate by road or rail.

The amount of assistance is based on the difference between the freight costs of moving the goods by sea and the notional freight costs of moving them by road over the same distance.

Check if you can apply

There are 3 categories of assistance you can apply for:

Northbound goods

Assistance is available for freight shipping of eligible goods from Tasmania for permanent use or sale on the Australian mainland.

The goods must have been manufactured in Tasmania. Goods manufactured on the mainland or outside of Tasmania are not eligible unless they have undergone a manufacturing process in Tasmania.

Other eligibility criteria apply. Find out more about the eligibility criteria for Northbound goods.

Southbound goods

Assistance is available for:

• manufacturing or mining businesses in Tasmania shipping eligible raw materials, machinery and equipment from the Australian mainland to Tasmania, or
• people or businesses in primary production in Tasmania shipping eligible raw materials, machinery and equipment used in primary production from the Australian mainland to Tasmania.

The goods must have been manufactured in mainland Australia, or if imported, have undergone a manufacturing process in mainland Australia.

Other eligibility criteria apply. Find out more about the eligibility criteria for Southbound goods.

Intrastate

Assistance is also available for shipments of freight between King Island, Flinders Island and any island in the Furneaux Group and the main island of Tasmania.

Find out more about the eligibility criteria at Intrastate - King Island and the Furneaux Group.