Wheat Export Accreditation Scheme

Exporters who want to export bulk wheat from Australia must be accredited by Wheat Exports Australia under the Wheat Export Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme).

Background to the Scheme

The Wheat Export Marketing Act 2008 (the Act) which commenced on 1 July 2008 allowed for the formulation of the Wheat Export Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme). As the Scheme was also required to commence on 1 July 2008, the former Export Wheat Commission formulated the Scheme under transitional legislative arrangements.

The Export Wheat Commission consulted extensively with exporters and export wheat industry representatives during the development of the Scheme.

Wheat Exports Australia (WEA) is responsible for administering the Scheme from 1 July 2008. WEA replaced the Export Wheat Commission, which ceased operations on 30 June 2008.

Overview of the Scheme

The purpose of the Scheme is to establish a system of accreditation for bulk wheat exporters in order to attest that an exporter is a fit and proper company to export bulk wheat from Australia.

This accreditation does not indemnify accredited exporters and provides no guarantee that an exporter will remain financially viable throughout its accreditation period.

To read the Wheat Export Accreditation Scheme legislation click here.

In order to export bulk wheat from Australia, an exporter must be accredited by WEA under the Scheme.

Exporters must apply to WEA for accreditation (see application process) and those exporters which satisfy the eligibility criteria will receive accreditation.

Once accredited, an exporter must comply with its conditions of accreditation.

Exporters can also apply to vary an accreditation at any time during their accreditation period, or can apply to surrender an accreditation if the exporter no longer wishes to export bulk wheat.

WEA has the power to suspend an accreditation or cancel an accreditation for grounds specified in the Act and the Scheme.

A person affected by a decision made by WEA under the Scheme may make an application for reconsideration of the decision.

WEA maintains a register of accredited exporters which details the name and ACN of each accredited exporter and the conditions to which each accreditation is subject.

Forms

WEA can approve forms for the purposes of the Scheme. To download the approved forms, including the application for accreditation click here.

Application fees

There are a number of application fees associated with applications under the Scheme. For details on the application fees click here.

Wheat Export Charge

Accredited exporters must pay the Wheat Export Charge (WEC) for wheat that is produced in and exported from Australia. To find out more click here.