Guidance: Fees and charges
Summary of fees and charges arising from the Australian Narcotic Drugs legislation and associated regulations.
The Office of Drug Control (ODC) within the Department of Health and Aged Care collects fees and charges for the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme (the Scheme) under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 (the Narcotic Drugs Act).
- Fees are charged when a good, service or regulation is provided directly to a specific entity or organisation. The Narcotic Drugs Regulation 2016 outlines the fees that are applicable to the Scheme.
- Charges are also known as levies and are charged when a good, service or regulation is provided to a group of individuals or organisations. The Narcotic Drugs (Licence Charges) Regulation 2016 outlines the charges that can be imposed under the Scheme.
The information on this page does not relate to licences and permits granted under the Narcotic Drugs Act for the manufacture of other narcotic drugs
Office of Drug Control (ODC) Fees and Charges for medicinal cannabis regulation
The ODC is responsible for a wide range of tasks relating to the regulation of medicinal cannabis under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967. The ODC increased its fees and charges for 2021-2022 for annual indexation purposes, which is consistent with Australian Government policy. These increases to fees and charges came into effect on 1 July 2021.
For further information regarding cost recovery, refer to the Cost Recovery Statement (CRIS) on the ODC website, which will be updated soon to reflect these changes.
A review of fees and charges is being undertaken in 2022 light of the single licence and permits reforms that came into effect on 24 December 2021, with any changes to be implemented in the 2022-23 financial year. Consultation will be undertaken on any proposed changes and a revised CRIS will also be published reflecting any final amendments.
The table below lists and describes all current fees and charges for the Scheme.
| Name of Fee/Charge | Explanation of Fee/Charge | Price as at 1 July 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Single Licence Application | For the receipting, assessment, decision making and notification of decision for a single medicinal cannabis licence application. | $8,030 |
| Permit Application | For the receipting, assessment, decision making and notification of decision for a medicinal cannabis permit. | $3,440 |
| Licence Variation - Minor | For the receipting, assessment, decision making and notification of decision for an application for a minor variation to a medicinal cannabis licence. | $1,100 |
| Licence Variation - Major | For the receipting, assessment, decision making and notification of decision for an application for a major variation to a medicinal cannabis licence. | $5,500 |
| Permit Variation - Minor | For the receipting, assessment, decision making and notification of decision for an application for a minor variation to a medicinal cannabis permit. | $120 |
| Permit Variation - Major | For the receipting, assessment, decision making and notification of decision for an application for a major variation to a medicinal cannabis permit. | $2,900 |
| Planned Inspection | An inspection that is associated with an application of the following kind: a licence; a permit; or a variation to a licence or permit. | $3,670 |
| Annual Licence Charge |
An annual licence charge is imposed on all licence holders when a licence is granted and each year thereafter on the anniversary date of the licence. The annual licence charge is designed to recover the following costs to the ODC in regulating the Scheme.
|
$12,010 |
| Annual Site Charge |
An annual site charge is imposed on a licence holder after the first permit is granted which indicates the commencement of authorised activities at the licenced site. The annual site charge is designed to recover the following costs to the ODC in regulating the Scheme.
|
$19,230 |
| Follow-up of non-compliance charges | ||
| Fees/Charges below are calculated at $108 per person per hour plus reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses. | ||
| Follow-up Audit | Following the identification of potential non-compliance, the ODC may undertake a desktop assessment of information. For example, the ODC might request that a licence holder process all records related to the harvest of a specific crop to audit, in the office. Any findings of concern may be referred for an investigation. | |
| Follow-up Inspection | Following the identification of potential non-compliance the ODC may undertake a further compliance monitoring inspection of a licenced site. | |
| Follow-up Cannabis Sample | The costs associated with the analysis of a cannabis sample taken at a follow up inspection. | |
| Investigations | For the preparatory work within the office when undertaking an investigation. | |
| Investigation Inspections | Two Authorised Inspectors undertaking an inspection using investigation powers as outlined in Part 3, Division 1 of the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014 (the Regulatory Powers Act) as the result of identified non-compliance. | |
| Investigation – Cannabis Sample | The costs associated with the analysis of a cannabis sample taken at an investigation inspection. | |
| Enforcement Action - Minor |
This charge relates to the preparation of:
|
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| Enforcement Action - Moderate |
This charge relates to the preparation of:
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|
| Enforcement Action - Major |
This charge relates to the preparation of:
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|
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*Indicative only. The actual charge is $108 per person per hour plus reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses. |
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Important information
- An invoice will only be issued for an application once information and documentation that must accompany an application appears to have been submitted by an applicant.
- Invoicing for the application fee does not indicate that an application will result in the grant of a licence, or that more information will not be required.
- Payment of the relevant application fee is required upon receiving an invoice from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
- The ODC considers that an application has been made once the relevant invoice has been paid.
- The fee is non-negotiable and cannot be altered through any form of request or discussion.
- The application fee is non-refundable. Once a charge (or levy) is invoiced, the Licence Holder incurs a debt to the Commonwealth and the relevant invoice/s must be paid.
Unpaid invoices
Upon issue of an invoice for an application fee, the applicant has 28 days in which to pay the invoice in full. If payment has not been made within 28 days, the ODC will assume the applicant is no longer interested in progressing the application and it will be considered 'not accepted' and no further action will be taken by the ODC.
Payment options
Payment options will be provided on the invoice issued to the applicant.
Further information
Information and assistance regarding payment can be obtained by contacting the Medicinal Cannabis Section Applications Team (Ph. 02 6289 4628) or by email MCS.Application@health.gov.au. Please have your invoice number and application tracking number ready if you are seeking advice on a submitted application.