Government releases details of HFC import quotas

The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 set the quantity of bulk HFCs that can be imported into Australia, measured by CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) – a key control in ensuring that Australia achieves its targets of phasing down HFCs under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

In 2026–27, 4,250,000 CO₂e tonnes of HFC import quota will be allocated as follows:

• 95% is grandfathered quota allocated based on the relative share of imports (in CO₂e) in 2023 and 2024 (regs 46 and 50)
• 5% is non‑grandfathered quota allocated in a manner determined by the Minister for the Environment (regs 46 and 51). Applicants must hold a controlled substances licence to be eligible to apply.

An amount of 130 CO₂e tonnes (0.06% of the non-grandfathered quota for this period) is proposed to be allocated to the department out of the non-grandfathered quota. This is to allow for transferring portions of this amount during the quota period to users who need to import very small amounts of HFC. Eligible users will be occasional or one-off importers who do not normally hold HFC quota and who require, for test purposes, a type and/or purity of HFC that is difficult or impossible to purchase from a supplier within Australia.

In 2024–25, the available quota was split equally between the applicants. The department proposes to use the same method for 2026–27.

Potential applicants

Importers must hold a controlled substances licence in order to be granted an HFC quota allocation. The application fee for a licence is $15,000 and, if granted, a licence is valid for a two-year period (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027). More information can be found at the DCCEEW website.

Potential applicants who do not hold any quota and will be applying for the first time are asked to contact the department by June 20, 2025.

Continuing use of non-grandfathered quota

The department plans to review the approach to allocating non-grandfathered quota in coming years, at which time further feedback will be sought from stakeholders.

For more information, contact the department on 1800 948 047 or [email protected]

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