Notice under Section 17A of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 for Variation of the Fuel Quality Standards (Conventional Diesel) Determination 2025 – Just Biodiesel Pty Ltd (Expiry 30 June 2027)

Administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Legislation au C2025G00643 In force Gazette

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BRANCH HEAD, LIQUID FUELS OPERATIONS AND ANALYSIS BRANCH

DEPARTMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

NOTICE UNDER SECTION 17A OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 FOR VARIATION OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS (CONVENTIONAL DIESEL) DETERMINATION 2025
– JUST BIODIESEL PTY LTD (EXPIRY 30 JUNE 2027)

I, Cris Cano, Branch Head, Liquid Fuels Operations and Analysis Branch, delegate of the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, provide the following information concerning my decision to grant an approval under section 13 of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act).

Name of approval holder

Just Biodiesel Pty Ltd (ABN 72 630 147 241)

Details of the approval

This approval varies the fuel standard for conventional diesel set out in the Fuel Quality Standards (Conventional Diesel) Determination 2025 (Conventional Diesel Standard), so that fuel containing:

  • a maximum biodiesel content of 20% v/v
  • a maximum density of 860 kg/m3

is taken to comply with the relevant parameters specified in the Conventional Diesel Standard in respect of the supply of blended diesel‑biodiesel fuel containing up to 20% biodiesel (B20).

Pursuant to paragraphs 13A(1) and (2) of the Act, the listed approval comes into force on the date of approval and remains in force for the period specified in the approval (being until 30 June 2027).

Summary of reasons for the approval

Having consulted with the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee as required by section 24A of the Act, I grant the approval with regard to matters specified under section 15 of the Act, in particular:

(a) The protection of the environment

Overall, the B20 supplied will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by replacing conventional diesel with biodiesel and generally have a beneficial effect on engine emissions.

B20 provides a viable carbon abatement opportunity for older engines which may not be compatible with 100% biodiesel nor with paraffinic diesel (renewable diesel). The B20 supplied through this approval provides a lower-carbon fuel option for commercial use. As Australia’s biodiesel is produced domestically from waste products, its use delivers environmental benefits through avoided emissions associated with fuel imports.

Tailpipe emissions from B20 use, compared to conventional diesel, will generally have positive impacts on air quality as the level of biodiesel in the blend increases. Biodiesel has virtually no aromatics or sulfur, thereby reducing particulate matter, unburnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and ozone formation. Emissions of oxides of nitrogen compared to conventional diesel will slightly increase by 1–10%.

(b) The protection of occupational and public health and safety

The department does not anticipate any increased occupational and public health and safety risks to arise from the use of B20.

The characteristics of B20 are similar to those of conventional diesel. As such, existing protocols for the handling and storage of conventional diesel can be utilised for B20 with no additional precautions required. There are no additional hazards for human exposure (inhalation and ingestion remain key hazards as for conventional diesel), requirements for firefighting measures, or differences in material stability and reactivity.

(c) The interests of consumers

B20 provides commercial consumers with an accessible option to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions with relatively minimal upfront investment, as B20 can be used by some commercial diesel engines without any modifications.

Supply of B20 can assist commercial consumers to achieve any planned pathways to meet greenhouse gas emissions targets, particularly where electrification is not yet possible or viable. An increase in available supply options for B20 is good for consumers as it increases competition in the market.

(d) The impact on economic and regional development

Supporting demand and supply of B20 in Australia allows for the development and growth of a local supply chain, including the potential emergence of new suppliers and distribution networks. This approval will support regional businesses looking to transition to renewable fuels.

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………………………. 

Cris Cano
Branch Head
Liquid Fuels Operations and Analysis Branch
20 November 2025

 

Overview

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 was enacted to regulate the quality of liquid fuels supplied in Australia, ensuring that they meet specific standards designed to protect the environment, public health, and safety, as well as the interests of consumers. The Act was introduced to address the need for stringent quality control over fuel products to mitigate environmental impact and improve air quality. The Australian Parliament enacted this legislation with a policy objective to establish and enforce fuel quality standards that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing public health, and fostering economic development through the support of renewable fuel sources. This legislative framework enables the Australian Government to regulate the composition and supply of fuels, ensuring they are safe and environmentally responsible.

Scope and Application

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 applies to the regulation of fuel quality standards in Australia, focusing on ensuring that fuels meet certain environmental, safety, and efficiency criteria. The Act applies to entities involved in the production, import, and supply of fuels, including diesel and biodiesel, ensuring that these entities adhere to the prescribed fuel quality standards. The application of this legislation is national, as it operates under the Commonwealth jurisdiction, impacting various industries involved in fuel production and distribution across Australia. This Act does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, but the specific determinations and approvals can delineate particular scenarios or entities that might be exempt from certain provisions. The application of the Act is further extended and specified through subordinate instruments such as determinations and approvals, which provide detailed standards and specific conditions under which the Act operates.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the notice under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 involve section 13, which authorises the Branch Head to grant an approval for the variation of fuel quality standards (section 13A). Section 17A of the Act allows for the Branch Head to make such variations by notice, and this is reflected in the approval granted to Just Biodiesel Pty Ltd. This approval permits the supply of blended diesel-biodiesel fuel containing up to 20% biodiesel (B20), thereby varying the fuel standard for conventional diesel as specified in the Fuel Quality Standards (Conventional Diesel) Determination 2025. The notice specifies the conditions under which B20 is considered compliant with the Conventional Diesel Standard, including the maximum biodiesel content and density parameters (section 15). The obligations imposed by the Act on the approval holder, Just Biodiesel Pty Ltd, include adhering to the specified fuel standards for the supply of B20. They must ensure that the blended fuel complies with the maximum biodiesel content of 20% by volume and a maximum density of 860 kg/m3. The approval holder is required to maintain records and documentation that demonstrate compliance with these standards and be prepared to provide this information upon request by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Additionally, the approval holder must comply with any other relevant legislative requirements, such as those related to labelling and safety protocols for handling and storage. The notice also outlines potential consequences for non-compliance with the provisions of the Act and the terms of the approval. While specific penalties are not detailed in the notice, breaches of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 or the terms of the approval may lead to enforcement actions. These actions could include fines, revocation of the approval, or legal proceedings. The severity of the penalties would depend on the nature and extent of the breach, with potential maximum penalties being prescribed by the relevant legislation. Non-compliance may also result in reputational damage and loss of consumer trust, which could have long-term adverse effects on the approval holder's business operations.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.