Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au C2004A00319 In force Act

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Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998

No. 59, 1998

Compilation No. 6

Compilation date:   20 June 2020

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 59, 2020

Registered:    25 June 2020

 

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 20 June 2020 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Act binds the Crown

4 External Territories

5 Definitions

6 Imposition of RSA providers supervisory levy

7 Amount of levy

8 Calculation of indexation factor

9 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

An Act to impose a levy on providers of retirement savings accounts

 

 

 

1  Short title

  This Act may be cited as the Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998.

2  Commencement

 (1) This Act commences on the commencement of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998.

 (2) If this Act commences during a financial year (but not on 1 July of that financial year), this Act has effect in relation to that financial year subject to the modifications specified in the regulations.

3  Act binds the Crown

  This Act binds the Crown in each of its capacities.

4  External Territories

  This Act extends to each external Territory.

5  Definitions

  In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:

indexation factor means the indexation factor calculated under section 8.

index number, in relation to a quarter, means the All Groups Consumer Price Index number, being the weighted average of the 8 capital cities, published by the Australian Statistician in respect of that quarter.

levy imposition day, in relation to an RSA provider for a financial year, means:

 (a) if the RSA provider is an RSA provider on 1 July of the financial year—that day; or

 (b) in any other case—the day, during the financial year, on which the RSA provider becomes an RSA provider.

RSA provider has the same meaning as in the Retirement Savings Accounts Act 1997.

statutory upper limit means:

 (a) for the financial year commencing on 1 July 2020—$10,000,000; or

 (b) for a later financial year—the amount calculated by multiplying the statutory upper limit for the previous financial year by the indexation factor for the later financial year.

6  Imposition of RSA providers supervisory levy

  Levy payable in accordance with subsection 8(5) of the Financial Institutions Supervisory Levies Collection Act 1998 is imposed.

7  Amount of levy

 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the amount of levy payable by an RSA provider for a financial year is the sum of the restricted levy component and the unrestricted levy component for the financial year.

Note: For restricted levy component, see subsection (1A). For unrestricted levy component, see subsection (1B).

 (1A) The restricted levy component for the financial year is:

 (a) unless paragraph (b) or (c) applies—the amount that, for the financial year, is the restricted levy percentage of the RSA provider’s levy base; or

 (b) if the amount worked out under paragraph (a) exceeds the maximum restricted levy amount for the financial year—the maximum restricted levy amount; or

 (c) if the amount worked out under paragraph (a) is less than the minimum restricted levy amount for the financial year—the minimum restricted levy amount.

Note: The restricted levy percentage, maximum restricted levy amount, minimum restricted levy amount and the method of working out the RSA provider’s levy base are as determined under subsection (3).

 (1B) The unrestricted levy component for the financial year is the amount that, for the financial year, is the unrestricted levy percentage of the RSA provider’s levy base.

Note: The unrestricted levy percentage is as determined under subsection (3).

 (2) If the levy imposition day for the RSA provider for the financial year is later than 1 July in the financial year, the amount of levy payable by the RSA provider for the financial year is the amount worked out using the following formula:

  

 (3) The Treasurer is, by legislative instrument, to determine:

 (a) the maximum restricted levy amount for each financial year; and

 (b) the minimum restricted levy amount for each financial year; and

 (c) the restricted levy percentage for each financial year; and

 (ca) the unrestricted levy percentage for each financial year; and

 (d) how an RSA provider’s levy base is to be worked out.

 (4) An amount determined under subsection (3) as the maximum restricted levy amount for a financial year must not exceed the statutory upper limit for the financial year.

 (5) The Treasurer’s determination under paragraph (3)(d) of how an RSA provider’s levy base is to be worked out is to include, but is not limited to, a determination of the day as at which the RSA provider’s levy base is to be worked out. That day must be:

 (a) if the RSA provider was an RSA provider at all times from and including 17 March of the previous financial year to and including the following 30 June—a day in the period from and including that 17 March to and including the following 14 April; or

 (b) if the RSA provider was not an RSA provider at all times from and including 17 March of the previous financial year to and including the following 30 June—the day after that 17 March when the RSA provider became, or becomes, an RSA provider.

 (6) A determination under subsection (3) may make different provision for different classes of RSA providers.

8  Calculation of indexation factor

 (1) The indexation factor for a financial year is the number worked out by:

 (a) ascertaining the index number for the most recent quarter for which the Australian Statistician has published an index number, as at the start of the day on which the Treasurer makes the first determination under subsection 7(3) of an amount or percentage for the financial year; and

 (b) dividing that index number by the index number for the quarter 12 months before the quarter mentioned in paragraph (a); and

 (c) adding 0.030 to the number worked out under paragraph (b).

 (2) The indexation factor is to be calculated to 3 decimal places, but increased by .001 if the 4th decimal place is more than 4.

 (3) Calculations under subsection (1):

 (a) are to be made using only the index numbers published in terms of the most recently published index reference period for the Consumer Price Index; and

 (b) are to be made disregarding index numbers that are published in substitution for previously published index numbers (except where the substituted numbers are published to take account of changes in the index reference period).

9  Regulations

  The GovernorGeneral may make regulations for the purposes of subsection 2(2).

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

    /subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

    effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

    effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

    cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

    commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Act

Number and year

Assent

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998

59, 1998

29 June 1998

1 July 1998 (s 2)

 

Financial Sector Reform (Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1999

44, 1999

17 June 1999

Sch 6 (item 27) and Sch 8 (items 22, 23): 17 June 1999 (s 3(1))

Sch 8 (items 22, 23)

Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Act 2005

17, 2005

22 Feb 2005

22 Feb 2005 (s 2)

Sch 1 (item 7)

Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Simplifying Regulation and Review) Act 2007

154, 2007

24 Sept 2007

Sch 4 (items 55, 56): 24 Sept 2007 (s 2(1) item 7)

Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Prudential Refinements and Other Measures) Act 2010

82, 2010

29 June 2010

Sch 5 (items 24–28): 1 July 2010 (s 2(1) item 16)

Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2015

145, 2015

12 Nov 2015

Sch 4 (item 33): 10 Dec 2015 (s 2(1) item 7)

Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Act 2020

59, 2020

19 June 2020

20 June 2020 (s 2(1) item 1)

Sch 1 (item 6)

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s 5.....................

am No 17, 2005; No 59, 2020

s 7.....................

am No 17, 2005; No 154, 2007; No 82, 2010; No 59, 2020

s 8.....................

am No 44, 1999; No 17, 2005; No 145, 2015; No 59, 2020

 

Overview

The Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 was enacted to address the need for a dedicated supervisory levy to support the regulation of retirement savings account providers in Australia. This Act was introduced by the Parliament of Australia, aiming to ensure that sufficient funds are available to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) for the supervision of RSA providers. The levy imposed by this Act is designed to be a financial contribution from RSA providers, ensuring that APRA has the necessary resources to effectively supervise and regulate the sector, thereby protecting the interests of account holders. The levy is calculated based on the RSA provider's levy base and is subject to certain limits and indexation adjustments to keep pace with inflation. This legislative framework ensures that APRA can maintain high standards of supervision and regulation within the retirement savings sector.

Scope and Application

The Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 imposes a levy on providers of retirement savings accounts. The Act applies to RSA providers as defined under the Retirement Savings Accounts Act 1997. It extends to each external Territory of Australia, binding the Crown in each of its capacities. The Act's scope is determined by the definitions set out in section 5, such as the indexation factor and the levy imposition day. The Act is subject to modifications and regulations as determined by the Treasurer, including the restricted and unrestricted levy percentages, the maximum and minimum restricted levy amounts, and the calculation of the indexation factor. The amount of the levy payable by an RSA provider is calculated based on these components and percentages. The Act may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, as determined by the Governor-General. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the Act, although it is subject to amendment and review by subsequent legislation.

Key Provisions

The Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 (the "Act") imposes a supervisory levy on providers of retirement savings accounts (RSA providers) in Australia. Section 6 of the Act imposes the levy, while Section 7 outlines the amount of the levy, which comprises a restricted levy component and an unrestricted levy component. These components are calculated based on the RSA provider's levy base, with the restricted levy component subject to a percentage rate set by the Treasurer, and the unrestricted levy component calculated as a percentage of the levy base, also set by the Treasurer. The Act mandates that the Treasurer determines the maximum and minimum restricted levy amounts, the restricted and unrestricted levy percentages, and the method of calculating the RSA provider’s levy base (Section 3). The obligations imposed on RSA providers by this Act include the requirement to calculate and pay the supervisory levy based on the prescribed components and percentages as determined by the Treasurer. Section 3 stipulates that these determinations can vary for different classes of RSA providers, thus requiring providers to stay informed about any changes in the regulatory framework. Furthermore, Section 8 mandates that the indexation factor, used in calculating the statutory upper limit and the levy, must be determined according to the formula specified in the Act, ensuring that the levy is adjusted for inflation. The Act also delineates consequences for non-compliance. Breaches of the provisions related to the imposition and payment of the supervisory levy can result in civil and criminal penalties. Under the Financial Institutions Supervisory Levies Collection Act 1998, failure to pay the levy as required can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential prosecution. The specific penalties and enforcement mechanisms are governed by the Financial Institutions Supervisory Levies Collection Act 1998, which complements the provisions of the Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998. This ensures that RSA providers are held accountable for their obligations under the Act, maintaining the integrity of the regulatory framework.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Financial & Banking Law
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Offence Provisions
Regulatory Standards
Compliance Obligations
Calculation of indexation factor

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.