What is a preliminary assessment of charges?
If it appears that the time spent on processing your non-personal application will be more than two hours, you will receive written notice that a charge is payable and a 'preliminary assessment' of the amount of the charge.
The department will advise you of your right to contend that the charge has been wrongly assessed or should not be imposed.
You have 30 days in which to advise the department, in writing, that you:
- agree to pay the charge;
- withdraw the application; or
- contend that the charge has been wrongly assessed, or should not be imposed, or both, providing reasons.
Failure to respond within 30 days will be treated as a deemed withdrawal.
If you agree to pay the charge, you may then be advised to pay a deposit, which is 25% of the charge.
Waiver of charges on grounds of financial hardship
Waiver is available to individuals and non-profit organisations who are able to establish, on the basis of documentary evidence, that they are in financial hardship.
Individuals
The sole criterion prescribed for determining whether you are in financial hardship is whether you are a holder of a concession card.
'Concession card' is defined to mean a health care card or pensioner concession card issued under the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth) or a pensioner concession card issued by the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Documentary evidence required
A certified copy of your concession card (both sides) is required.
If you lodge your application in person, the original concession card must be presented. An officer will take a photocopy of the card and note that the copy sighted is a copy of the original card.
If an application for waiver is posted in the mail, a certified copy of the applicant's concession card must be enclosed. The copy may be certified by a Commissioner for Declarations, Justice of the Peace or solicitor.
Non-profit organisations
'Non-profit organisation' means an organisation that is not carried on for the profit or gain of its individual members. For example, charities, churches, clubs, environmental protection agencies.
The criteria for establishing financial hardship include:
- the nature and size of the organisation's funding base; and
- the amount of the charge for access to the document, assessed on a preliminary basis, compared to the organisation's financial position, having regard to its liquid funds.
Documentary evidence required
- Proof that the organisation is not carried on for the profit or gain of its individual members. For example, an extract from the organisation's governing documents showing acceptable clauses that indicate the non-profit character of the organisation, that is non-profit and dissolution clauses. The organisation's actions must be consistent with this requirement, for both direct and indirect gains; and
- Proof that the organisation is in financial hardship:
- annual audited accounts certified by an accredited accountancy firm or a party pursuant to s59(1) of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Queensland);
- Statement of Revenue/Earnings for the current and last financial year;
- Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the current and last financial year;
- documents showing the nature and size of the organisation's funding base; and
- any other relevant information.
Last updated 07 July 2005
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