Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme
- Purpose of the Scheme
- Funding
- The Rebate
- Payment of the Rebate
- Administration
- Service Operators
- Monitoring Report
- Further Information
Purpose of the Scheme
The Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme (BSPVES) was introduced in September 1996. The aim of the scheme is to reduce the cost of seagoing travel for eligible passengers by assisting with the cost associated with the transportation of passenger vehicles across Bass Strait. In 2006-07, $28,412,401 was paid in rebates under this scheme for 190,413 eligible vehicle crossings.
The Government has from 1 July 2008 increased the standard passenger vehicle rebate to $180 and all other vehicles by 20%. The rebates will be reviewed annually.
Funding
Funding for the scheme is demand driven and uncapped. The Australian Government expects to spend $34.4 million on the scheme in 2008-09.
The Rebate
The following rebates are available:
- Up to $180 each way for cars
- Up to $360 each way for motor homes
- Up to $360 each way for eligible vehicles towing a caravan
- Up to $90 each way for motorcycles
- Up to $25 each way for bicycles
In addition eligible drivers with a disability who are unable to travel by sea are able to access the reduced passenger vehicle fare available under the scheme by shipping their vehicle and flying across Bass Strait. The rebates will be reviewed annually.
Payment of the Rebate
The rebate is provided to the driver of an eligible passenger vehicle in the form of a reduced fare charged by a service operator. Accordingly, the service operator is not the recipient of the rebate, but is reimbursed on a monthly basis by the Australian Government for the total rebate provided to eligible passengers under the scheme.
Administration
The scheme operates under Ministerial Directions approved by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
BSPVES Ministerial Directions - [
PDF: 46 KB]
Service Operators
TT-line operates two mono-hull ferries, the Spirit of Tasmania I and II, between Devonport and Melbourne. Southern Shipping operates the Matthew Flinders between the Tasmanian ports of Bridport, Bell Bay and Lady Barron, Flinders Island. Patrick Shipping operates the Mersey Searoad between Port Melbourne and Grassy Port, King Island.
Passenger services are not available on the Patrick vessel. Eligible passengers must fly between Melbourne and King Island on a commercial airline service. The two main operators are Regional Express and King Island Airlines.
Monitoring Report
In accordance with the Ministerial Directions, the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) is required to monitor the effectiveness of the Scheme. The BITRE has completed the following reports to date:
- BTE Monitoring Report Number 1 (1996-97)
- BTE Monitoring Report Number 2 (1997-98)
- BTE Monitoring Report Number 3 (1998-99) [PDF: 160 KB]
- BTE Monitoring Report Number 4 (1999-00) [PDF: 107 KB]
- BTRE Monitoring Report Number 5 (2000-01) [PDF: 127 KB]
- BTRE Monitoring Report Number 6 (2001-02) [PDF: 350 KB]
- BTRE Monitoring Report Number 7 (2002-03) [PDF: 2194 KB]
- BTRE Monitoring Report Number 8 (2003-04) [PDF: 947 KB]
- BTRE Monitoring Report Number 9 (2004-05) [PDF: 463 KB]
- BTRE Monitoring Report Number 10 (2005-06) [PDF: 1140 KB]
- BITRE Monitoring Report Number 11 (2006-07) [PDF: 984 KB]
Further Information
All enquiries concerning eligible vehicle bookings and level of fares applied under the Scheme should be directed to the relevant ferry operator.
Requests from prospective ferry operators for information on applying for BSPVES and other associated administrative matters should be directed to:
Tasmanian Assistance Services, Centrelink
GPO Box 1269
HOBART TAS 7001
FreeCALL No: 1800 993 347
Fax: (03) 6222 2149
Email: tas.support@centrelink.gov.au
For more information you can go to the BSPVES webpage of the Centrelink website.
Centrelink is the Australian Government's primary service delivery agency and undertakes the delivery of the TFES, the TWFS and the BSPVES on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
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