The introduction of a landfill levy is a long-term approach to improving waste management and resource recovery in Tasmania. The levy is charged on all waste sent to landfill in Tasmania.
The landfill levy aims to divert materials that can be reused, repaired, recycled, or made into new materials, away from landfill, helping to find more valuable uses for these materials and reducing landfill. Any material that is recovered through a Resource Recovery Facility for reuse is not subject to the levy.
Re-investment of the Levy
Funds raised from the landfill levy are being invested directly into the waste and resource recovery sector, supporting existing industry to reduce waste, and creating new jobs and business for Tasmanians. Funds will also be used to educate Tasmanians about reducing waste, working with the community to encourage recycling, reuse and repair and support programs that tackle littering and illegal dumping.
The Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Board oversees the re-invesment of funds raised by the levy into Tasmanian business and community In addition, a number Industry Support Programs which aim to compensate for the costs of implementing the levy, are currently funded by the levy and managed by the Board.
More information about how the landfill levy funds will be reinvested to make Tasmania a place where nothing is wasted, can be found
Action on Waste and Resource Recovery
Landfill Levy Rate
Under the Waste and Resource Recovery Act 2022 (the Act) the landfill levy rate is expressed in Government Fee Units and the levy rate was set at 12 Fee Units from 1 July 2022, with an initial rate of $20 per tonne.
The Waste and Resource Recovery Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) specify a series of increases over the first four years of the landfill levy. This staggered introduction has made it possible for community and industry to allow for the financial impact of the levy, including reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill.
The Regulations specify that for the period of 1 July 2024 until 30 June 2026 the levy rate will be set at 24 Fee Units (equivalent to $44.88 per tonne of waste), and on the 1 July 2026, the levy rate will increase to 36 Fee Units.
Fee Units are adjusted from year to year by Treasury. The process for setting fee units is explained on the Treasury website.
2024-25 Landfill Levy Rate
The fee unit value for 2024-25 financial year is to be increased from $1.78 to $1.87, alongside the increase in fee units for the landfill levy from 12 to 24 fee units.
Consequently, the landfill levy for the 2024-25 financial year will amount to $44.88 per tonne.