Tasmanian Organic-Dynamic Producers Inc

T.O.P. Annual Membership Fee Structure

The T.O.P. fee structure is formulated so that it assists producers and processors in keeping their certification costs to a minimum, but so that it also supports and maintains the T.O.P. Quality System and the AQIS Organic Accreditation program. T.O.P. does not impose production levies as a percentage basis, but instead has a staggered fee structure.

First Year Application for Membership: $385

In Transition members: $330

In Conversion and Fully Certified Members: Fees are based on the previous financial year’s gross income as listed below.

For Members with properties on which the certification is being staggered, the Annual Fees are based on the income from the “certified” part not the “conventional” part of the property.

Manufacturers are subject to the same scale, with split processors, eg the abattoirs only counting the “organic” portions of their income.

Grower/Processor Turnover Annual Fee Quarterly Payment Payment if paid in full by due date
Up to $10 000 $440.00 $110.00 $418.00
Up to $15 000 $550.00 $125.00 $475.00
Up to $25 000 $770.00 $175.00 $665.00
Up to $35 000 $935.00 $212.50 $888.25
Up to $55 000 $1155.00 $288.75 $1097.50
Up to $75 000 $1375.00 $343.75 $1306.25
Up to $100 000 $1595.00 $398.75 $1515.25
Up to $125 000 $1815.00 $453.75 $1724.25
Up to $150 000 $2035.00 $508.75 $1933.25
Up to $175 000 $2255.00 $563.75 $2142.25
Up to $200 000 $2475.00 $618.75 $2315.25
Up to $250 000 $2695.00 $673.75 $2560.25
Up to $300 000 $2915.00 $728.75 $2769.25
Greater than $300 000 $3135.00 $783.75 $2978.25

Guidelines for Certification and
Assessment Costs

The cost of certification varies depending on the complexity of the operation. There are some basic charges as listed below. Initial inspections also consist of samples being collected for analysis.

1. Initial Inspection

Service Typical
On-site time @ $30 per hour 2-3 hours  --  $60-$90
Testing (e.g. OC-OP in soil) including postage $164.00
Final report writing $25
Administration fee $50
Travel @ $0.385 per km Up to 400 km
Approximate cost $321.45 plus travel

Note: A deposit of $250 will be required before an initial inspection is carried out, to cover the cost of the inspector and testing.

2. Yearly Re-Inspections

Service Typical
On-site time @ $30 per hour 2 hours  --  $60
Final report writing $25
Administration fee $30
AQIS certification fee $50
Travel @ $0.385 per km Up to 200 km
Approximate cost $165 plus travel
  • Other testing, not listed, can in some cases be required; for example, heavy metals. This is assessed, for instance, on the past agricultural practices or selective soil types.
  • Administrative costs include processing of the inspection report through the Certification Committee and T.O.P. Council.
  • To minimize travel expenses, inspections are planned each year in groups, to assist in sharing the cost of travel amongst certified operations.