Tasmania (TAS): minimum expenditure for exploration licences
Tasmania sets each exploration licence's minimum expenditure year by year, from the work program: the application sets years 1–2, and each later year's figure is confirmed after an annual review. The floor is $12,000 a year, and MRT's guide amounts rise from $300 per km² in year 1 to $1,200 per km² in year 5.
Checked against the regulator's guidance and the legislation on 25 September 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, and your licence conditions take priority, so confirm with the regulator before relying on a figure.
- Titles
- Exploration licence (categories 1–6, from metallic minerals to geothermal)
- Regulator
- Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT), part of the Department of State Growth
- Legislation
- Mineral Resources Development Act 1995
How the minimum is calculated
- Under section 26 of the Act, a minimum amount is set for each 12-month period, linked to the work program, and the holder must spend at least that amount.
- The minimum for years 1–2 comes from the licence application. Before year 3 and each later year you submit a program, and MRT confirms the next year's program and spend by letter after its annual review.
- The per-km² figures below are MRT's guide amounts, not binding rates. The $12,000 floor applies to every licence.
| Licence year | Guide amount per km² |
|---|---|
| 1 | $300 |
| 2 | $400 |
| 3 | $600 |
| 4 | $800 |
| 5 | $1,200 |
Reporting and deadlines
| Report | Due | Lodged via |
|---|---|---|
| Annual report (spend, planned work, and technical content per MRT's Reporting Guidelines) | By each anniversary of grant, or a later date the Director of Mines sets | Email to MRT |
| Annual return (form MRDA-E7) | By each anniversary of grant | Email to MRT |
| Quarterly return | Only if the Director requests it; within 28 days of quarter end | Email to MRT |
| Final report | On expiry, surrender or revocation. The Act and MRT's standard licence document give different deadlines, so check your licence conditions. | Email to MRT |
What counts as expenditure
- Actual costs of exploration on that licence, itemised
- Administration, including licence fees and overheads, up to 10% of annual expenditure
- Research, only if a complete record is submitted
Doesn't count
- Administration above the 10% cap
- Costs that aren't for exploration on that licence
Exemptions and variations
- You can apply to the Minister for exemption from any licence condition (section 27), on the approved form with a $421.40 fee (from 1 July 2026). The Act doesn't list grounds; the Minister decides.
- The Minister can also vary conditions after giving notice, with appeal to the Mining Tribunal within 28 days.
What happens if you fall short
- The Minister can revoke all or part of a licence for not completing the year's work program or not meeting the minimum spend, after notice and a chance to respond. Appeal is to the Mining Tribunal within 28 days.
- Part of the security deposit can be forfeited if the work program isn't carried out. By policy this is usually a quarter of the deposit. A late final report can also cost part of the deposit.
- Past failures to carry out work programs can count against future applications.
Term, renewal and relinquishment
- The first term is 5 years for categories 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 (the Minister sets it for petroleum, category 4).
- Extensions are at the Minister's discretion, but must be granted if the program is complete, reports are lodged, a suitable new program is submitted and results justify more work. After year 5 they're generally considered a year at a time.
- To reduce area, apply to surrender part of the licence and lodge a final report on that part. Released ground is held back for at least 2 months before it can be taken up again.
Recent changes
- MRT's August 2023 guidance raised the floor from $10,000 to $12,000 a year and raised the per-km² guide amounts. Older documents still show the 2013 figures.
- The Mineral Resources Regulations 2026 now set fees and rents. Rent from 1 July 2026 is $35.57 per km² a year in years 1–2 and $71.14 after that.
Sources
Tracking this across several tenements
Tenement Track keeps each tenement's commitment, spend to date and anniversary date in one register, so a shortfall shows up while there's still time to act on it.