Announcements |
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| The new online Broadcasting licence fees (BLF) returns system is available for licence holders to submit returns and record payments. If you haven’t registered for the system please complete the Authorised Registration Contact Form and return to the ACMA. To start using the BLF online system please read the below information and then click on the below ‘Agree and log in’ link. |
Regulatory requirements
The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 requires holders of commercial radio and commercial television broadcasting licences to provide a broadcasting licence fee return to the ACMA by 31 December each year.
They must also pay the licence fee to the ACMA by 31 December, under the Television Licence Fees Act 1964 and Radio Licence Fees Act 1964.
Information is to be reported for the 1 July to 30 June period unless another reporting period has been agreed with the ACMA. If you held a licence but earned no revenue, you still need to lodge a Return.
Lodging returns by 31 December is a statutory requirement. Failure to meet the legislated requirements may result in enforcement action being taken by the ACMA. This may include late payment penalties, infringement notices (fines), civil or criminal prosecution.
Returns and the comprising documents need to be substantially compliant with the ACMA approved forms. More information about what is considered ‘substantially compliant’ is available.
Datacasting returns must also be lodged, and charges paid, by those who provide a datacasting service under Schedule 6 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. Find out more on the Datacasting page.
Purchase or sale of a licence
You may need to liaise with the company that you purchase the licence from to ensure that you have all the information required to fully complete your BLF return for the period. The seller may need to supply the purchaser with audited information for the return period. Contact Revenue Assurance section of the ACMA to discuss your obligations and BLF return options.
Do you have new revenues this return period?
Contact the ACMA if you have earned revenue from new sources during this return period and are uncertain whether these revenues should be included in your return.
Submitting your return online
Once you register, you may submit your BLF returns and record payments online in a secure environment using the ACMA ePort. Agree and log in
By clicking the button below, to log in to the BLF ePort system, you are agreeing to the Terms and conditions of use of the system.
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Agree and log in |
The Broadcasting licence fee requirements handbook (PDF [996 kb] or Word [.docx 1.5 mb]) provides information on how to submit your return online.
Register for BLF ePort
To submit your return online you first need to register with us and obtain an AUSkey from the Australian Business Register. More information on registering or changing an Account is available on the online BLF ePort account page.
Your Account is connected to your AUSkey to ensure your information’s security when you submit your return. For more information about obtaining an AUSkey go to the Australian Business Register website.
Help directory
This provides you with documents and links to information about submitting your BLF returns online.
Submitting returns by email
Broadcasters may also submit returns for the 2011-12 reporting year as they have in previous years, by completing Excel forms, and emailing all documents to: financialreturns@acma.gov.au.
Refer to the Broadcasting licence fee requirements handbook for information about submitting your return this way.
The current forms are available on the right hand side of this page.
Payment
The Broadcasting licence fee requirements handbook sets out how to make and record your payment with the ACMA.
Commercial broadcasters must pay any licence fee due by electronic funds transfer or bank deposit by the due date to the following account:
Bank: ANZ
BSB: 012 951
Account no.: 837924301
Account name: ACMA Official Administered Broadcasting Receipts Account
Please ensure that you include your payment reference or other identifying details, e.g. licence number, when you make the payment.
Return Assessment
Assessment of BLF returns by the ACMA involves a number of steps, including checking that all required documents are submitted and that information provided is accurate. More information about how the ACMA assesses returns is available.
Further information
You can contact the ACMA Revenue Assurance section at: financialreturns@acma.gov.au or on (02) 6219 5355 for specific advice about your return.
Licensees may be contacted by the ACMA about their BLF. Contact will be directed to the licensee authorised person, Chief Executive or Chief Financial Officer. More information about what is considered contact with a licensee is available.
Last year’s handbooks and forms are available on the Help Directory.
