Number: A24/2020
Date: 24 June 2020
In response to the ongoing financial impacts of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), there will not be any increase in vehicle inspections fees for the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) in 2020-21.
The Australian Government is implementing a number of relief measures to support residents the IOT as part of the continuing response to Coronavirus and its economic impacts on local households, businesses and community groups.
The fee freeze for services include vehicle examinations required to license some vehicles, remove defect notices (for example, a yellow sticker), satisfy an annual inspection requirement, or check that vehicles meet minimum safety standards. This includes the inspection of heavy and light vehicles, caravans and motorcycles.
This measure is aimed at supporting IOT residents during this challenging time and helping them to maintain access to key services.
From 1 July 2021, the IOT will adopt the fee structure used by the West Australian (WA) Department of Transport in the Kimberley region for the delivery of vehicle examination services, as a comparable remote regional location. The current fees are also similar in price to examination fees in the Kimberley.
The Australian Government, through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication's Territories Division, provides funding to the WA Department of Transport to provide transport services to the IOT.
The IOT community will be provided further information on these changes ahead of the new fee structure being introduced in 2021.
Natasha Griggs
Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands