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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 2007-08, $30.1 million was paid in rebates under this scheme for 190,261 eligible vehicle crossings.
New rebate amounts apply from 1 July 2009. The rebates will be reviewed annually.
Funding
Funding for the scheme is demand driven and uncapped. The Australian Government expects to spend $35.0 million on the scheme in 2009-10.
The Rebate
The following rebates are available from 1 July 2009:
- Up to $183 each way for cars
- Up to $366 each way for motor homes
- Up to $366 each way for eligible vehicles towing a caravan
- Up to $91 each way for motorcycles
- Up to $25 each way for bicycles
In addition, eligible drivers with a medical condition who travels on a commercial airline service between Melbourne and Devonport; Sydney and Devonport; or a place on the Australian mainland and Flinders Island while their vehicle is carried in the same direction of travel on a Bass Strait service on or about the same day of travel are able to access the reduced passenger vehicle fare available under the scheme.
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 Direction [
PDF: 179 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. SeaRoad Shipping operates the Mersey Searoad between Port Melbourne and Grassy Port, King Island.
Passenger services are not available on the SeaRoad Shipping vessel. Eligible passengers must fly between Melbourne and King Island on a commercial airline service. The three main operators are REX Airlines, King Island Airlines and Tasair.
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]
- BITRE Monitoring Report (2007-09) [PDF: 754 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: tfes.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 Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, the Tasmanian Wheat Freight Scheme and the BSPVES on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
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