Applying to vary fuel quality standards

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 sets the fuel standards for Australia.

Fuels standards apply to:

• petrol
• diesel
• biodiesel
• autogas (LPG)
• ethanol E10
• ethanol E85

Read about the fuel standards for each fuel type

It’s an offence to supply fuel that varies from the fuel’s standard.

In specific and limited circumstances you can apply to supply fuel with different properties from those set out in the fuel standard.

Application process

To supply fuel with different properties than what's defined in the fuel standard, you must seek section 13 approval under the Act.

Request a section 13 application form

Request an application form by emailing section13.fqsa@industry.gov.au

The application form explains what you need to provide and shows examples to help you complete the application.

Submitting your application

Email your completed form to section13.fqsa@industry.gov.au

Once we’ve received your application, we’ll send you a tax invoice for the application fee: $5944. We can’t complete your application until you pay the fee.

Cost recovery implementation statement: Application to vary a fuel standard 2016 to 2017 [716KB PDF]

Application fee exemptions

You can request a fee exemption if you’re not from federal, state, or territory government.

Your request can be for part, or all, of the application fee. You can make a request for any reason, including if paying the fee would cause you financial hardship.

We have 14 days from receiving your request to decide whether to grant the fee exemption or reduction. You will receive a written response detailing the decision and reasons for the decision.

Assessing applications

We consider all applications against the Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2019.

We also consult with the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee (FSCC), with its members providing recommendations about whether applications should be approved, conditionally approved or rejected.

We compile the FSCC members’ advice, and provide a recommendation to the Minister (or delegate) about whether to grant the approval.

You will receive an email notification about the decision. If an approval is granted, a notice will be placed in the Australian Government Gazette. The notice will include:

• approval holder’s name
• approval time period
• variations to the fuel standard and parameters
• reasons for granting the approval

We will aim to assess your application as soon as possible. Timeframes will depend on the level of complexity of your variation request, and whether we need more information to make a decision.

Withdrawing your application

You can withdraw your application at any time before a decision is made about the approval.

If your application is withdrawn within 14 days of submission, and the Minister (or delegate) hasn’t considered the application, you will receive a refund of any application fee paid. If you decide to withdraw your application after 14 days, you’ll need to request an application fee refund.

Please contact us as soon as you decide to withdraw your application by emailing section13.fqsa@industry.gov.au.

Approved applications

You can find all approvals granted under section 13 of the Act.

If you hold an approval, you must follow the conditions described in your approval. Conditions may include:

• restrictions on how the fuel is used
• restrictions on where the fuel can be used
• reporting fuel volumes supplied under the approval
• providing your customers with written material about safe handling and storage

The National Measurement Institute handles monitoring and enforcement activities to ensure approval conditions are complied with.

Amending approvals

If you want to change your approval, you need to make this request in writing by emailing section13.fqsa@industry.gov.au.

Minor changes can include adding or removing regulated persons listed under the approval. Major changes include extending the approval period and updating varied parameters.

Unsuccessful applications

If you want to appeal, there are legal channels you can use to challenge the legislative and administrative decisions.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal can review the following decisions:

• a fee exemption or reduction is not granted
• an approval is not granted
• an approval is granted but is different from the approval that you applied for
• an approval is granted with specific instructions
• an approval is revoked or varied

You can learn more about applying for a review on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal website.

Contact us

• Email fuel.policy@industry.gov.au
• Phone +61 2 6213 6000
• Write to us at: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, Fuel Policy Section, GPO Box 2013, Canberra ACT 2601