Application timeframe for Act of Grace payments extended to 7 April 2026
Following meetings and correspondence with the WA Fishing Industry Council, the Minister for Fisheries has extended the timeline for applications for Act of Grace (AoG) payments until 7 April 2026.
The original deadline was 9 March 2026.
Under the program, the WA Government has committed $20 million to the Compulsory Fisheries Adjustment Scheme (CFAS) to compensate affected authorisation holders in the wake of the Minister’s decision to close commercial demersal and shark fisheries in the West Coast Bioregion.
Individual compensation amounts will be determined once the scheme formally opens and applications have been assessed.
The Act of Grace payment is intended to provide immediate financial relief while the CFAS is being established.
Accepting an AoG payment does not oblige an authorisation holder to accept any future offer under the CFAS, nor does it limit their right to seek review of a compensation determination through the State Administrative Tribunal. Any AoG payment received will be deducted from the final settled amount.
Authorisation holders are advised to obtain independent financial and taxation advice on the implications of accepting an AoG payment as they apply to their individual circumstances.
WAFIC will continue to provide updates as we work through the process.