Enhanced Project By-law Scheme (EPBS)
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Program Status
Open to applications.
Description
The Enhanced project By-law Scheme (EPBS) is an Australian Government industry assistance program administered by AusIndustry Division of the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE).
The EPBS provides duty-free tariff concessions for eligible goods imported for use in the mining, resource processing, agriculture, food processing, food packaging, manufacturing, gas supply, water supply and power supply industries, where:
- the imported goods are for a project that:
- involves the procurement of eligible goods valued at $10 million or more; and
- develops and implements an approved Australian Industry Participation (AIP) Plan that demonstrates how the project will provide full, fair and reasonable opportunity to Australian industry (especially small and medium enterprises) to supply goods and services to the project; and
- equivalent goods are not produced in Australia; or
- the imported goods are more technologically advanced, more efficient or more productive than goods produced in Australia.
The Australian Government's policy objectives for the EPBS are to:
- encourage and enhance investment in the establishment of world class operations;
- encourage the involvement of Australian industry in supplying goods and services;
- lower input costs for industry where there are sound reasons for doing so; and facilitate Australian industry participation in domestic and international supply chains.
EPBS provides an opportunity for Australian industry to access tariff duty concessions on eligible goods for major projects in the mining, resource processing, agriculture, food processing, food packaging, manufacturing, gas supply, power supply, and water supply industries where certain conditions are met.
Each project applying for EPBS must have an Australian Industry Participation (AIP) Plan. AIP Plans provide Australian industry with a full, fair and reasonable opportunity to participate in major projects and encourage the use of Australian industry in global supply chains.
AusIndustry's Customer Service Managers can guide you through the preparation and submission of your EPBS application.
It is important to talk to an AusIndustry Customer Service Manager at the very early stages of your project. Customer Service Managers have extensive experience in assisting customers to access the EPBS program and work closely with the Industry Capability Network (ICN) and State Government Departments.
To find out how an AusIndustry CSM can assist you with your EPBS project please read the 'How Customer Service Managers Can Help You' Fact Sheet.
- On the 1 July 2012 actions to strengthen opportunities for Australian Industry Participation within EPBS will be implemented. These changes may impact on your current and future EPBS projects. For more information, see FAQ - EPBS and AIP Plan changes announced 11 April 2012 and the Factsheet - Enhanced Project By-laws Scheme (EPBS) – Transitional Arrangements.
- The Government has accepted and will implement all 21 recommendations on actions to strengthen opportunities for Australian Industry Participation. Many of these actions will have an impact on EPBS applicants. Read more information on Strengthening Opportunities for AIP.
- On 6 October 2011, a joint media release was issued by the Australian Government announcing action to create more opportunities for Australian businesses to compete for work. For more information, see the media release.
- AusIndustry Determination changes: From 1 July 2011 changes were made to the notification of AusIndustry Determinations issued under EPBS. More information about these changes is available from the AusIndustry Determinations Information Changes Fact Sheet.
- Program Evaluation: The EPBS Evaluation executive summary is available on the Department of Innovation website.
Contact
For more information about EPBS, please contact the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au. Alternatively, contact your local AusIndustry state/territory office directly.