9 May 2025
1.Incoming Australian Government - Informing battery recycling priorities
Following a quick settling of the Federal election dust, ABRI is considering priorities for engagement with the incoming Government. This includes:
Integrating end-of-life battery management into the Cheaper Home Batteries Program
Highlighting Australia's capability and capacity to process used lead acid and lithium batteries domestically, in line with the Australian Government’s Basel Convention commitments. This includes: advocating for action to address the issue of lead acid batteries being incorrectly sent offshore for processing; and delivery of government fact sheets on the hazardous waste export permit process and associated penalties for non-compliance
Establishing a single national scheme for mandatory battery producer responsibility that is flexible to accommodate the wide variety of available on the market and recongise existing commercial arrangements
Stay tuned for more information on these crucial industry issues. All feedback welcomed.
2. Have your say - Training and skills priorities for the battery recycling sector
ABRI is increasingly being asked for advice and input on training and skills priorities for the battery recycling sector. Understaning your on the ground business priorities will be critical to deliver the industry’s workforce needs. The upcoming ABRI 2025 Australian Battery Recycling & Manufacturing Summit will provide a forum for discussing developments in vocational training to support end of life battery management with a panel under development including EV and energy storage vocational training experts.
ABRI is currently working closely with these stakeholders who are developing programs:
Electric Vehicle TAFE Centre of Excellence based in the ACT
TAFE Cente of Excellence - Clean Energy Batteries based in Qld
Powering Australia has a ‘Battery Workforce Skills and Training Program’ from 2025-2028 which is intended to enable a safe and sustainable battery industry
Have your say by 16 May - Prior to the Summit, you can bring your expertise and knowledge of the battery recycling sector to guide the creation of clean energy battery training programs in Australia.
As a growth sector, it is essential that the perspectives of the battery recycling industry are incorporated into the development of vocational training. By 16 May:
Apply to join the Clean Energy Battery Centre’s Innovative Training Practices Working Group
Complete the TAFE Centre of Excellence Clean Energy Batteries survey
3. ABRI member event in Brisbane - networking, tax credits & climate related financial disclosures
Thanks to ABRI member Johnson, Winter, Slattery for hosting an informative and enjoyable networking event in Brisbane on 1 May. Fifteen ABRI members and key stakeholders from across the battery supply chain came together to hear JWS partners, Matthew Shanahan and Pamela Hanrahan, respectively talk on:
Potential opportunities for battery recycling industry tax credits under the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Act 2025. Presentation
An overview of the climate related financial disclosures mandatory reporting requirements for large companies which commenced 1 January 2025. This included a discussion of the implications for battery recyclers. Presentation
The session provoked significant and ongoing discussion on how the industry can:
Take advantage of funding opportunities
Use existing processes to support climate related disclosure and deliver multiple regulatory/corporate objectives including recycled content and green marketing claims
4. Feedback on draft Qld waste strategy - building the case for further action on battery recycling
Queensland has released the draft new Queensland Waste Strategy 2025-2030 - Less Landfill, More Recycling. The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Industry Innovation is now seeking feedback on the draft Strategy and on:
whether it can deliver environmental and economic benefits
which waste types are the most important
the action needed to achieve environmental and economic goals
It is commendable that the draft Strategy includes a dedicated section on battery recycling which emphasises actions to mitigate fires in the waste industry. However, the battery recycling sector knows that there is significantly more work required to prepare for the anticipated increase in end of life energy storage and electric vehicle batteries over the next decade.
ABRI will be making a submission to set out other measures needed to boost the sector especially to prepare for larger format batteries.
ABRI members are also encouraged to make a submission.
Consultation closes 5.00pm 26 June.
5. Clarifying rules for packing used small, mixed, loose battery collection - Proposed changes to the Australian Dangerous Goods Code
Over coming months, the National Transport Commission will be consulting on proposed changes to the Australian Dangerous Goods Code to improve the practicality of packing for small, mixed loose batteries as set out in draft Special provision 636 (on page 638) (see below extract).
ABRI members transporting small (e.g up to a small/medium power tool), used mixed batteries should take a close look at the proposal. In particular, where the weight threshold of 333kg is reasonable to support safe and efficient transport. The NTC will consult industry, including ABRI members, in coming months. This is expected to include a discussion on the options for different thresholds, including a higher threshold.
ABRI can work with governments to start the new provision earlier if members consider this would assist.
Draft special provision 636 - packing rules for small, mixed, used battery collection
Up to the intermediate processing facility, lithium cells and batteries with a gross mass of not more than 500 g each, lithium ion cells with a Watt-hour rating of not more than 20 Wh, lithium ion batteries with a Watt-hour rating of not more than 100 Wh, lithium metal cells with a lithium content of not more than 1 g and lithium metal batteries with an aggregate lithium content of not more than 2 g, not contained in equipment, collected and handed over for carriage for sorting, disposal or recycling, together with or without other non-lithium cells or batteries, are not subject to the other provisions of this Code including special provision 376 and 2.2.9.1.7, if the following conditions are met
(a) The cells and batteries are packed according to packing instruction P909 of 4.1.4.1 except for the additional requirements 1 and 2;
(b) A quality assurance system is in place to ensure that the total amount of lithium cells and batteries per transport unit, wagon or large receptacle does not exceed 333 kg; NOTE: The total quantity of lithium cells and batteries in the mix may be assessed by means of a statistical method included in the quality assurance system. A copy of the quality assurance records shall be made available to the competent authority upon request.
(c) Packages are marked "LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR DISPOSAL" or "LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR RECYCLING" as appropriate
6. Building the Industry’s Voice - out and about with ABRI
ABRI CEO, Katharine Hole, will discuss battery recycling and industry priorities at:
Clean Energy Council Distributed Energy Directorate - energy storage rebates and end of life battery management (13 May)
The Waste and Recycling Contractors Association Industry Conference (13 June)
Energy + Circularity Summit - Resources, Energy and Innovation Forum in Dubbo - the centre of the NSW Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (19 June)