Victorian Energy and Resources Minister Jaclyn Symes. She previously served as treasurer and is pictured in May 2026 during the budget lockup. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images
The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has vowed to overturn new Victorian mining and exploration fees that include rises of up to 400 percent.
The council said the state already charges the top exploration licence application fee in the country and the second-highest renewal fee.
He noted mining and exploration companies paid more than $130 million in state government payments during the 2024-25 period. That included $7.1 million in regulatory fees paid directly to the Victorian government.
The council is urging the government to delay the increases until 2027, when separate regulatory reforms will replace work plans with a simpler, duties-based system.
“Instead of punishing our world-class explorers with high fees, fee increases should be linked to service improvements and delayed until 2027 when regulatory reforms under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act remove work plans and replace them with a less process-intensive, duties-based model,” Sorahan said.
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The Minerals Council is also calling on Victoria to introduce competitive exploration grants, noting that Victoria is the only state or territory without one.
The Victorian government has confirmed the fee changes will go ahead in a recent notice of decision signed on Aug. 14.
Energy and Resources Minister Jaclyn Symes signed the decision approving the proposed increases, which are scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
Symes said current fees do not cover the cost of regulating the sector, making core regulatory activities “financially unsustainable.”
Resources Victoria consulted on the changes last year, receiving 24 written submissions and 70 survey responses. The final regulations differ from the draft after concerns were raised about miner’s rights and exploration fees.
Symes, who previously served as Victoria’s treasurer, was appointed to the Energy and Resources portfolio (among others) in early August, after Jacinta Allan stepped down as premier.
A state election in Victoria will be held in November 2026.
