The service levy

The service levy was introduced in 2001-02 by negotiation with stakeholder representative organisations because it was agreed that private forest owners should make a contribution to the running costs of an organisation set up specifically to assist them.

The service levy is reviewed annually and as of 1 July 2025, the levy is set at $17.00 per hectare of land comprising the net harvested or net afforested area of land in a forest practices plan certified under the Forest Practices Act 1985.

The levy applies to:

• native forest to be harvested as private commercial forest; or
• plantations to be harvested as private commercial forest.

The levy does not apply to:

Forest practices plans certified solely for the purpose of:

• Roading;
• Quarrying;
• Establishment of plantation on non-forest areas; or
• Thinning of plantations, are exempt from payment of the levy.

The levy is payable by the owner of the land on which the forest activity is to occur and is payable to Private Forests Tasmania within six months of notification by the Forest Practices Authority that the plan has been certified.

What do private forest owners get for their levy?

Private Forests Tasmania supports hundreds of forest owners and managers each year - providing information on a range of matters to help them manage their forests sustainably and productively. The levy paid during commercial harvesting
operations is essential in enabling this work. It helps ensure that landholders continue to have access to independent, trusted support - free of charge.

In addition to direct landholder engagement, PFT works to strengthen the broader operating environment for private
forestry in Tasmania. Activities supported by the levy include:

• Policy advocacy – Representing the interests of private forest owners in government inquiries, reviews and
  proposals which help shape state and national forest policy, including active involvement on boards, committees and
  working groups.
• Government engagement – regular discussions with the Tasmanian Minister responsible for forestry, their staff, and
  other state and federal policymakers to promote opportunities and address challenges in the private forestry
  sector.
• Forest practices support – Helping landholders navigate complex forest practices matters.
  Events and learning – Hosting and supporting field days, information sessions, and practical workshops to share
  knowledge and build capability.
• Research and knowledge sharing – Supporting science-based decision-making through research partnerships and
  publications that strengthen sustainable forest management and add long-term value to private forests.

Recent examples of levy-supported projects have delivered direct value to landholders, including:

• Carbon Method Development Support – Contributed to the development of new carbon accounting methods, creating future market opportunities for Tasmanian private forest owners.
• Mixed-Species Management Trials – supported collaborative research on the productivity, resilience and climate adaptability of private native forests under mixed-species regimes.
• Native Forest Grower to Market Project – Produced a suite of professional communication materials to inform and encourage sustainable, commercial management of native regrowth forests.
• Tree Alliance Knowledge Hub – Launched an online resource featuring case studies, market insights and management guidance to promote tree planting and integration across Tasmania.
  Forest Safety Code – Co-ordinated a review of the Forest Safety Code which led to updates implemented in 2022.
• Smart Forestry for Small Farms – Delivered practical demonstrations and tools to support landholders in integrating trees into productive farming systems for long-term resilience.
• Hardwood Plantation Thinning Trial – supported a project using LiDAR and machine data to evaluate thinning
  efficiency and support landowners transitioning from pulpwood to solid wood production.
  Farm and Forest Mapper – Developed an interactive online mapping tool enabling landholders to assess wind
  risk, forest class, site suitability, and tree crop potential for better farm planning.
  Demonstration Sites program – provides other producers insights into how to successfully integrate trees for commercial timber into an agricultural landscape.

In summary, the levy supports the tools, knowledge, and advocacy private landowners need to succeed. It makes an important contribution to underpinning Private Forests Tasmania’s capacity to continue to support forest owners.