Tasmanian Rural Assistance 002-05000000
Expand allThis document outlines the two financial assistance packages available for interstate shippers and drivers of eligible passenger vehicles travelling across Bass Strait by ferry.
Government intent
Tasmanian Transport Schemes are federally funded subsidies that assist Tasmanian individuals and businesses with the additional costs associated with shipping goods and vehicles across Bass Strait.
The Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES)
The TFES has been in operation since 1976 and is designed to assist in alleviating the high freight costs incurred by interstate shippers of eligible domestic goods to and from Tasmania and goods being transhipped to destinations beyond the Australian mainland by sea. The TFES operates under a set of Ministerial Directions approved by the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development.
The Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme (BSPVES)
The BSPVES was introduced on 1 September 1996. The aim of the Scheme is to provide a direct cost reduction in sea-going travel for the driver of an eligible passenger vehicle travelling across Bass Strait by ferry. The direct cost reduction is a significant step towards removing the transport disadvantage posed by Bass Strait and is intended to provide an incentive for more passengers to travel between the mainland and Tasmania with direct benefits flowing to Tasmanian tourism, growth in jobs and investment.