Game Development Levy – FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions for Basketball Clubs & Associations
Notification Letter from Basketball Australia & Basketball WA 24/10/2023

Q: What is the Game Development Levy and why is it being introduced by Basketball Australia?
A: The ($5.00 + GST) Game Development Levy is a new levy being implemented by Basketball Australia for individuals playing basketball across Australia.

Q: Why is Basketball Australia implementing the Levy?
A: This new levy is to ensure the sustainability and growth of the sport.

Basketball Australia is introducing this levy to support the growth and development of basketball at all levels of the game, enhance opportunities for the sport, and to expedite work in priority areas that are restricting the growth of the sport. Further information about the current services provided by Basketball Australia and the additional activity that will be delivered through the Levy can be found on the Basketball Australia website.

Q: How will the funds collected from the Levy be utilised?
A: The funds collected from the Levy will be used to expedite work in areas of the sport that have been identified as priority areas that require additional resource or have been identified as inhibiting the growth of the sport.

For 2024 the priority areas identified are officiating and pathways, coaching and pathways, and digital transformation.

Q: When will the Levy come into effect?
A: Basketball Australia will commence collecting the Levy from 1 January 2024. Participants will be required to pay the levy the first time they register after that date.

Q: How often will the Levy be charged?
A: It is an annual levy and therefore participants will only be required to pay the levy once per calendar year; regardless of if they play in multiple teams or play multiple seasons within that year.

Q: Who will be required to pay the Levy?
A: The Levy applies to anyone actively playing basketball in 3×3, 5v5 or other iterations of basketball leagues.

Q: Will the Levy apply to all basketball programs and competitions?
A: The Levy applies to all basketball competitions and leagues governed by Basketball Australia and its affiliated state or localassociations, including local leagues.

The levy does not apply to Aussie Hoops programs or similar term-based development programs; school competitions or events(where they are delivered in school time) It also does not apply to Sporting Schools program.

Coaches, match officials, volunteers and administrators that do not actually play basketball are also exempt.

Q: How will the Levy be collected?
A: The Levy will be automatically collected from participants when they register to play basketball with your club or association. This will likely be at the same time they pay any club, association or State Association membership or affiliation fees.

Q: Will we be required to communicate with the participants that there is a new levy being introduced?
A: Basketball Australia and your state / territory association will communicate directly with participants about the new levy. BWA has emailed notice of the new levy to participants on Tuesday 24 October 2023.

Q: Are there any exemptions or discounts available for the Levy?
A: As a general rule, no, however Basketball Australia may consider exemptions or discounts on a case-by-case basis under exceptional circumstances, considering factors such as financial hardship or other extenuating circumstances. Details regarding exemption or discount application processes will be provided by Basketball Australia on request by thestate or territory association.

Q: Will the Levy be refunded if a player get injured?
A: If the participant has played multiple games, or there is a reasonable expectation that they will play multiple games then the levy will not be refunded. That said, Basketball Australia may consider an exemption on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances.

Q: If a player plays for two different associations or in two different states will they have to pay the Levy twice?
A: The levy may be waived with the second association on request, however it will need to be demonstrated that the participant has already paid it with another association.

Q: is there a discount for multiple players in the one family?
A: There are no familydiscounts for the Levy.

Q: Will the Levy be staying at $5.00 or will it increase?
A: Basketball Australia has committed to retaining the Levy at $5.00 (+ GST and any merchant fees) through to 2027, at which time CPI (capped at 5%) will be added to the value of the levy annually through to 2029.

Q: When will the Levy be collected from participants?
A: In Western Australia, the Levy will be automatically collected from participants when they register to play basketball with your club or association; at the same time, you pay your $41.75 BWA participant fee. If you are already a member of BWA this will occur the first time that you pay your annual participant fee after 1 January 2024.

Q: Will the Participant fee increase in 2024
A: The Board of Basketball WA will keep the $41.75 participant fee at the same cost for 2024 in recognising that the cost for the participant will be rising by the $5.00 plus GST Game Development Levy.

Please note that the information provided in these FAQs is subject to change, and it is advisable to refer to official announcements and communication from Basketball Australia for the most up-to-date details regarding this levy.