Annual returns – FAQs

Is this the process where I have to pay the APVMA money?

No, that is the annual levy. Changes around 5 years ago harmonised the requirements of annual returns and levy declarations. These are 2 distinct processes with separate datasets, but they do cross over around September.

The annual returns process is a requirement for all holders under section 35 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical Products (Collection of Levy) Act 1994. The information to be reported details the quantity (as in volume or mass) of product imported or manufactured in Australia, and then sold or used in the current reporting period.

Levy declarations relate to the requirement to pay levy on the disposal (sales or own use) of agricultural and veterinary chemical products as legislated under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical Products (Collection of Levy) Act 1994. The figures declared for levy are dollar values of product disposals.

Is the reporting process the same as it has always been?

The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Bill 2019 made significant changes to the annual returns process in 2022.

Annual returns should be reported as the quantity of a product disposed of ('leviable disposal'), for those parties that are required to pay levy on said product. That is, the quantity of product used or sold in Australia after being manufactured or imported.

Units are also important and should match your formulation. Some products are liquids (l, ml), or solids (kg, g), and some are expressed as a dose (chew, capsule, vial).

What is leviable disposal of chemical products for reporting purposes?

Leviable disposal of a product occurs when a product is manufactured in OR imported into Australia, then sold OR used by the manufacturer/importer in Australia.

Can I give the list to someone else to fill out?

Yes, click on the spreadsheet icon in the reporting list to generate a full list of your products, which you can then save and distribute as required for completion.

Please note that when you have collected all your data in the spreadsheet, it will still need to be entered into the online reporting system for submission to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Once entered, you can also generate a final spreadsheet for your records from the reporting system.

I’m an overseas holder, can I log in to report or does my nominated agent need to do this for me? Can I give my nominated agent permission to do this?

You are free to have your agent complete an annual return on your behalf. There are no requirements on who must report your annual returns.

What do I do if the products on my list are incorrect?

Please email details to enquiries@apvma.gov.au and select nil return for that item.

For security reasons, the database we use for annual returns is not connected to a live system. While we try to load the data into the system as close to financial year end as possible, some changes may have occurred in the meantime.

I import a product that is 25% active constituent, do I report 25% of the weight?

No. What is required to be reported is the total quantity of product disposed of.

Do not perform any calculations relating to the active constituent.

You should report in the units used in your registered formulation(s).

What does the APVMA use this data for?

The APVMA has a legislative obligation to the Secretary of the Department to provide them with a statement setting out the total quantities of each active constituent for each chemical product covered by these returns.

From here, the data is used to fulfil Australia’s international reporting obligations to various treaties and organisations.