Vinehealth Australia issues a Notice of Assessment (NoA) to all registered landowners in South Australia who have a vineyard of more than 0.5 hectares, as outlined in the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Act 1995 (PGI Act).
Your Notice of Assessment is made up of two components:
- A base fee: $206.00 for 2025-26 levy year.
- A variable fee: $10.59 per hectare of vines in the ground for 2025-26 levy year.
Please note that your Notice of Assessment is issued every year in arrears for the year prior and cannot be amended to reflect current plantings. Vinehealth Australia’s billing cycle is 1st May to 30th April.
Frequently Asked Questions
I did not produce any income from my vineyard this year. Do I still need to pay?
Yes. This levy is applied to landowners and is not based on production or sales. It supports efforts to protect South Australia against increasing biosecurity threats.
Your fees go up each year — why is that?
The Minister for the Department of Primary Industry and Regions (PIRSA) approved a levy increase for Vinehealth Australia, which introduced a base fee of $200.00. This base fee was staggered over three years ($100.00, $150.00, $200.00) to assist Vinehealth Australia in carrying out its primary functions under the PGI Act.
Future increases are indexed annually and are considered by the Board each year. The Levy cannot be raised by more each year than the annual indexation factor determined by the South Australian Government.
My vineyard area is different from what is listed on the Notice of Assessment. Do I still need to pay the full levy?
Under the PGI Act, Vinehealth Australia must issue levy notices in arrears based on the information recorded in our register as at 30 April each year. Once the Notice of Assessment is issued, it can’t be changed for the year in arrears, but it can be updated for future billing cycles.
Vineyard Record Returns are sent to landowners prior to Notice of Assessment, allowing an opportunity to update planting records.
Updates during the year can be made by:
- Emailing admin@vinehealth.com.au
- Logging into the Grower Register and updating your details
- Calling (08) 8273 0550
Please note that it is a requirement under the PGI Act to notify Vinehealth Australia within three months of any changes.
I have removed all my vines. Do I still need to pay?
Yes. Under the PGI Act, Vinehealth Australia must be notified of vineyard removal within three months.
Once notified, you will receive a Exit Declaration Form, which includes a declaration confirming that the vines have been removed. Vinehealth Australia cannot remove a landowner from the Register until this documentation has been received.
My vines are dead. What should I do?
The PGI Act states that the levy applies to vines in the ground, whether living or dead. These vines may still pose a biosecurity risk and therefore remain liable for the levy.
Complete removal of the vines is required for the levy to no longer apply to a land parcel. Landowners must notify Vinehealth Australia within three months of removal. As the levy is issued in arrears, removal timing may affect the relevant billing period.
Can I set up a payment plan?
Vinehealth Australia acknowledges the financial challenges currently faced by the wine industry and encourages you to contact us as soon as possible to discuss payment options.
While the levy is a mandatory liability and cannot be waived or refunded, we are committed to working with growers experiencing financial hardship. Early engagement may help avoid debt management actions and ensures Vinehealth Australia can continue to fulfil its primary functions.
More questions? Contact us via email at admin@vinehealth.com.au or phone (08) 8273 0550