This issue seems to be feared by many enthusiasts who might make their own fuel at home. Unfortunately, it has also caused what could be a vibrant and growing biodiesel scene in Australia, (Sydney especially) to bury itself underground.

The few web forums that exist talk in nudges and winks among members afraid to admit they make or use biodiesel, as they are afraid of the taxman asking for his 38c.

While I will avoid making political comment on the fact that biodiesel is not considered suitable for exemption, I will point out that perhaps if we could organise ourselves into a large enough group with a strong enough voice, then perhaps things might be able to change.

In the mean time, I'd like to point out that this forum supports your anonymity, respects your privacy and is in no way obligated by any laws to keep your personal details or hand them on to the Australian Tax Office. Even in the ridiculous hypothetical circumstance that the ATO chose to pursue a home biodiesel enthusiast and was willing to face the bad media this might bring, they have no rights to request information from this webserver, which is hosted in Switzerland.

Please don't be scared off and let the scene suffer because of irresponsible local tax rulings. Please contribute and maybe one day we can help to convince the powers that be to make better rules.

As Robert has stated, there are issues related to homemade biodiesel that involve the Government. It is great that he has provided a forum for discussion that precludes the Government from acquiring your particulars.

If you are interested in a bit of background on the politics of homemade biodiesel there is a thread on the Infopop forum related to the BEER campaign. You can read actual correspondence from the Government and the replies that went back (and good information to discredit Government red herrings). It is a MUST READ if you are serious about making homemade biodiesel in Australia.

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/groupee/...51/m/761605337

My first posting, though I have been following the threads.
I am not a native of Sydney but wish to thank Robert and everyone who has had a part to play in setting up this forum. I have never felt able to express any views elsewhere, given the power of the ATO and the legislation as it now stands.

I am one who would like to make Biodiesel for myself with a friend. We both have stong beliefs concerning the ethical issues of stewardship of the environment, like to be a little self-sufficient, enjoy the challenge of producing a very clean fuel from what is routinely dumped and would like to make our motoring a little less expensive in the future (both in terms of damage to our fuel pumps from the new new low sulphur petro-diesel and when the real cost of energy becomes more apparent).

We obviously have difficulties with the present state of play as it is obvious that the Government does not wish to have any "back-yard" fuel production - excised or not. I would be willing to pay excise if it meant being able to make biodiesel in my backyard (actually within a small shed dedicated to this purpose).
Enough has already been well written here and elsewhere regarding this situation.

The net result has been to cause me to consider whether the making of biodiesel can be considered a form of conscientious objection - with all the attendant potential personal risk from the ATO (i.e. an envorimnmental "Vietnam")?

With regard the making of biodiesel in one's "back-yard", there is enough information around that one can design (as I have done) and build a processing unit (as I have the materials but have not yet done) capable of processing 200 litre batches of biodiesel with zero emissions of any kind to atmosphere (except water vapour) and with a safety factor many times that of what takes place within the average kitchen.
Further, such a unit can be fully built onto a standard pallet-sized base on wheels, and made mobile so as to facilitate it's movement from property to property if so desired. The engineering is not difficult.

On another issue, has anyone thought of centrifuging their WVO to improve its homogeneity so as to provide a better "base stock" for conversion into biodiesel? Such beasties are somewhat expensive, (even second-hand) but would remove so much contamination and variability of product as to make the processing more reliable and consistent - i.e. easier production of very high quality biodiesel along with higher quality glycerine by-product. One could be shared among a group of similar minded people.

I look forward to sharing with others here in the safety of this forum, but would rather see a more enlightened mindset from the powers that be in that place upon the hill.

Regaurding the TAXMAN, and the idea of having or creating a body large enough to challenge the federal Gov. I was hoping BAA might be that body since there is no other national body around i know of. But to my great disapointment i brought up this very issue at the national conference in Sydney hosted by Adrian Lake, and he brushed it off to the next speaker who avoided the whole taxman issue.
NObody answered my Question "Will BAA represent us home reactors and any future comercial reactors on the excise issue??".
I'm totally convinced the Howard Gov. isnt interested in the environment or Australians, just brown nosing US corporate interests. And i'm starting to believe what some very experienced biodiesel reactors are saying ,, that BAA is a toothless tiger. or as one person put it. "A sloppy whore".

In fact the Taxman should be giving incentives!!!!!!
If they had any sense they would and should promote this as a small scale Industry where by different coop can be formed in different suburbs or towns.So that a central source of collection and manufacture can be achieved.I dont see any reason why the councils dont get involved.They have taken the initiative of setting up lube oil recycling plants ,no reason they cannot set up a 10KLBio Diesel plant in each council.
Their is another catch which I think the taxman needs to consider.Carbon Credits or Clean Defense mechanism which is sweeping past the world as Australia sits back and wanders.....I guess wake up calls are needed.
Look forward to everyone giving it a thought....
Food for thought...oil for thought....clean earth for thought.....
Guess is knowledge...ageold saying"Knowledge is power".....

It was my understanding of the excise on biodiesel that if you are eligible you could recover you money spend on excise in the form of grants which effectively make the excise rate 0 cents.

This however mainly applies to large haulers and businesses. Not us small time users.

Read here:

http://www.ato.gov.au/businesses/con...tent/52808.htm

This is the kicker for the smaller "home brewers" from the ATO website


So you have to pay the excise and then if you are approved for the grant and can prove that your fuel meets the standard (COSTLY), then you can get your excise back.

If they wanted to encourage the "home brewers" then they could offer a reduced set of testing, to reduce the cost.

The big problem that I have with the current situation is that it will stifle development of production processes by the large number of hobbyists, a body that has provided a lot of technological advance throughout the ages.

Yeah I agree it is a bit tough and I guess they are genuinely trying to move home users away from making it or moving them towards proper certification. To be honest would any of you want to buy a car for your self or your kids that had been wrecked by years of bad fuel?

I wouldn't.

Go back and read the BEER thread. This has nothing to do with making sure that vehicles only run top quality biodiesel. Treasury makes the decisions in this matter - Treasury, get it? (as if Treasury gave a s--t about your engine)

When I went to Canberra and discussed it with the people in Treasury, they told me that if I could bring something to the table that would provide them revenue, they would be willing to discuss the issue.

I offered the idea of yearly permits, a one time fee that Treasury would get and home producers wouldn't be encumbered with all the record keeping and other nonsense - Treasury wasn't interested.

My experience with the Camberra clowns was that they could not be trusted, they would lie at the drop of a hat. If anyone still believes in this "representative" system of government, then I suggest they get up off the couch, turn off the TV and and go out and try to make a difference, it will be a real education on how things really work.

The only thing this Government has done to deal with the spectre of Peak Oil is to review the 'Liquid Fuels Emergency Act' - they have set up the Schedule of who gets fuel as an essential service - and I also noticed that anyone on this forum wasn't in the Schedule. Protect yourself, nobody else will.

So that means when we run out of fuel I will get a letter from little Johnny to my boss saying that I cant drive to work anymore.

I think there might be more to it than that. Whist the government is set on making money, they also do other things like set safety standards and other stuff like that.

Joe