Port pricing
Pricing Order Inquiry 2026
The Essential Services Commission (ESC) is currently undertaking a second Pricing Order Inquiry covering the period for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2026. This inquiry is part of our standing regulatory arrangements.
Over the next six months the ESC will undertake an inquiry into whether the Port of Melbourne has complied with the Victorian Government’s pricing order to determine whether any non-compliance was significant and sustained.
PoM encourages our stakeholders to participate in the ESC’s engagement program through to 28 August 2026.
The ESC’s timeline is out lined below and more information can be found via the following links on the Engage Vic and ESC websites:
Inquiry into Port of Melbourne compliance with the pricing order 2026 | Engage Victoria
Port of Melbourne’s compliance with pricing regulations | Essential Services Commission
Timeline
- 1 July 2026 – 28 August 2026: ESC consultation period
- Late August 2026: Public forum
- October 2026: Issue draft report for Port feedback
- Final report: 31 December 2026
As part of its regulatory requirements, PoM submits a Tariff Compliance Statement and Reference Tariff Schedule to the ESC each year. The ESC provides “interim commentary” to support its oversight role, identifying key issues affecting port users and other stakeholders. These reports have also recognised improvements in PoM’s stakeholder engagement while delivering major capital projects.
Tariff Compliance Statements are published on our website and are now also available on the ESC webpage under resources including Interim Commentary reports provided by ESC to PoM.
For more details: Five-Yearly Pricing Order Inquiry Underway at Port of Melbourne – Port of Melbourne
About the Reference Tariff Schedule
Port of Melbourne operates under a regulatory framework overseen by the Essential Services Commission that outlines how tariffs are set to recover the cost of port facilities and assets required to provide Prescribed Services. Prescribed Services are defined under section 49 of the Port Management Act 1995 (Vic) and include channel services, berthing services, short-term storage and cargo marshalling facility services and other services that allow access to, or use of, places or infrastructure (including wharves, slipways, gangways, roads and rail infrastructure).
In setting its prices for Prescribed Services, Port of Melbourne must comply with requirements in the Pricing Order – a regulatory instrument made by the Governor in Council under section 49A of the Port Management Act. Under the Pricing Order, tariffs are subject to an annual increase of no more than CPI on the 1st of July each year.
Reference Tariff Schedule 2026-2027 effective 1 July 2026
Port of Melbourne’s (PoM) 2026-2027 Reference Tariff Schedule (RTS) outlines its tariffs for Prescribed Services that will apply from 1 July 2026. View the 2026-2027 Reference Tariff Schedule (RTS)
Prescribed Services are defined under section 49 of the Port Management Act 1995 (Vic) and include channel services, berthing services, short-term storage and cargo marshalling facility services and other services that allow access or use of certain port infrastructure. Further information on this can be found on the Prescribed Services page.
PoM has determined its 2026-2027 tariffs in accordance with the Pricing Order, which details the basis for how PoM sets these tariffs. Further information on this can be found on our Regulatory Information page.
Other fees may be payable for services that are not Prescribed Services and these fees are set out in the Other Fee Schedule (Non-Prescribed Services).
For more information contact rts@portofmelbourne.com
Further information
- 2026-27 Reference Tariff Schedule
- 2025-26 Reference Tariff Schedule
- 2024-25 Reference Tariff Schedule
- 2023-24 Reference Tariff Schedule
- 2022-23 Reference Tariff Schedule
- 2021-22 Reference Tariff Schedule
- 2020-21 Reference Tariff Schedule
- 2019-20 Reference Tariff Schedule
- 30 April 2020 – Port Rail Transformation Project – notification of amendment to Reference Tariff Schedule
- 30 January 2020 – Port Rail Transformation Project – notification of amendment to Reference Tariff Schedule