Dealers - Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I sell a phone to a Phone Purchaser after the expiry date on the Approved Purchaser Form?
- Can I sell or connect a phone before an application has been approved?
- What if a customer urgently needs a phone and can't wait for approval of their application?
- Can I sell a phone at full price and then pass on the subsidy after the application is approved?
- What is the Retail Price under the Scheme?
- How long will it take for the Department to pay my tax invoice?
- What type of phone is covered by the subsidy?
- Are Dealers able to access the subsidy?
1. Can I sell a phone to a Phone Purchaser after the expiry date on the Approved Purchaser Form?
No. The Approved Purchaser Form is not valid after the expiry date. If you sell a phone to the Phone Purchaser after the expiry date you will not be reimbursed for the amount of the subsidy.
A Phone Purchaser can request an extension of the Approved Purchaser Form from the Department, but only if the request is made in writing (email, fax or letter are acceptable) before the expiry date. If the request is approved, the Phone Purchaser and the Dealer will be reissued with the relevant approval documents. The extension is not granted until these documents are issued. The extension is not granted to a Dealer, it is granted to the Phone Purchaser.
2. Can I sell or connect a phone before an application has been approved?
No. The Department will not reimburse a Dealer for the amount of the subsidy if the phone is supplied, sold or connected prior to the application being approved.
3. What if a customer urgently needs a phone and can't wait for approval of their application?
You cannot provide, or commit to provide, a subsidy for a phone before an application has been approved.
The Department will not grant approvals for phones already supplied, sold or connected. The Department will not reimburse a Dealer for the amount of the subsidy if the phone is supplied, sold or connected prior to the application being approved.
Only the Department can approve an application and the Department will only do so in writing by issue of the appropriate approval documents. Dealers are not able to approve an application. This is the case even if Dealers strongly believe a customer fulfils all the criteria and are convinced they will be approved. The Department has access to a broader base of information than Dealers that could render such an applicant ineligible, for example if the applicant has already received a subsidy under the scheme (or two subsidies in the case of an eligible business or organisation).
4. Can I sell a phone at full price and then pass on the subsidy after the application is approved?
No. You cannot supply, sell or connect a phone prior to the application being approved.
If you sell a satellite phone to a Phone Purchaser, the Phone Purchaser must receive the benefit of the full amount of the subsidy at the time the phone is purchased.
5. What is the Retail Price under the Scheme?
The Retail Price under the Scheme is the net amount a customer would pay for the phone in the absence of the subsidy, which will generally be the recommended retail price of the phone less any promotional discount or rebate.
6. How long will it take for the Department to pay my tax invoice?
Once the Department has received a complete and correct tax invoice and associated documents, and if you have complied with all of the Scheme's terms and conditions, you should receive payment from the Department within 28 days (usually within 2 weeks). However, payment will be delayed where the documentation is incorrect or incomplete. If you have failed to meet any of the Scheme's terms and conditions, the Department may withhold payment of the subsidy.
The Department provides an invoicing checklist with each Claim Form which dealers should use to ensure they provide all information required.
7. What type of phone is covered by the subsidy?
To access the subsidy, the mobile satellite phone must be either handheld or non-handheld and used in a mobile environment. This includes phones that are installed and used in a vehicle or vessel.
Importantly, the subsidy will not be provided for phones that are fixed to a homestead, building or other immobile structure.
If you are in doubt as to the eligibility of a specific phone, please contact the SPSS Administrators on 1800 674 058 before you allow an approved Phone Purchaser to purchase the phone.
8. Are Dealers able to access the subsidy?
You are able to access the subsidy if you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Guidelines.
You are not eligible if the phone is to be used as a demonstration, loan or rental satellite phone or for other similar purposes as part of satellite phone sales, marketing or client service strategies.
