Published Impact Analyses

On 2 June 2021, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced the implementation of reforms to spectrum pricing. The reforms include reducing tax rates for services above 5GHz, introducing a ‘systems price’ for co-located earth stations authorised under the same licence and introducing an additional price discount for ‘micro’ land-mobile services.

Consistent with the Government’s Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) requirements, the Spectrum Pricing Review has been certified by the ACMA as meeting the requirements of a RIS.

On 3 June 2021, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) published a final determination and rule titled National Electricity Amendment (Implementing a general power system risk review) Rule 2021.

The rule establishes an annual general power system risk review (GPSRR) in which the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) would identify and assess, in collaboration with Network Service Providers (NSPs), priority risks to power system security that it expects would be likely to lead to cascading outages or major supply disruptions. The rule requires AEMO to complete the first GPSRR by 31 July 2023.

The AEMC believes this would increase the transparency of emerging system security risks that may need to be managed, helping AEMO, NSPs and market participants better understand the nature of the new risks as they emerge.

On 21 April 2021, the Government announced a commitment to modernising laws within the Treasury portfolio so they are technology neutral.

The first phase of legislative reform will focus on the key areas raised by stakeholders which are implementation-ready. These include:

On 20 May 2021, the Australian Ministers responsible for work health and safety (WHS) considered the recommendations from the 2018 Review of the model WHS laws (the Review) and agreement was reached for action on all 34 recommendations of the Review.

Areas addressed by the Review included the legislative framework; duties of care; consultation representation and participation; compliance and enforcement; prosecutions and legal proceedings; and the Model WHS Regulations.

On 11 May 2021, as part of the 2021-2022 Budget, the Australian Government announced changes to the Prostheses List. The Prostheses List is the schedule to the Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Rules made under the Private Health Insurance Act 2007. 

Through these reforms, the price paid by private health insurers for medical devices, known as prostheses, will be better aligned with the price paid in the public hospital system. Additional improvements will also be made, including better defining which prostheses are eligible for inclusion on the Prostheses List; regrouping the items on the Prostheses List; and updating cost recovery arrangements.

On 11 May 2021, in response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission), the Australian Government announced a package of support and reform to aged care as part of the 2021-22 Budget.

The Government’s response to the Royal Commission is a five year–five pillar aged care reform plan addressing home care, residential aged care services and sustainability, residential aged care quality and safety, the workforce, and governance.  

On 31 Jul 2019, the Government introduced regulations to establish a registration and accreditation scheme for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) (commonly referred to as ‘drones’), model aircraft, and operators. The initial component of the regulations (affecting operators of RPA flown for business or as part of a job) came into effect on 28 January 2021.

The growing use of RPA in Australia directly correlates with a significant increase in RPA safety incidents reported to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau since 2012. The most concerning occurrences pose a risk for the safety of conventionally piloted aircraft and for people on the ground.

On 11 May 2021, as part of measures to improve the affordability and sustainability of private health insurance, the Australian Government announced improvements to the certification process for admitting patients to hospital for procedures normally provided out of hospital.

The Government will work with Australia’s medical colleges and other stakeholders to establish specific guidance around when hospitalisation is clinically required. Additionally, the Professional Standards Review will be allowed to review inappropriate practices around certifications by doctors or associated hospitals to ensure the integrity of the current arrangements that safeguard patients’ access to treatments needed to be delivered in hospital.

On 11 May 2021, the Australian Government announced reforms to the National Access Regime (NAR) aimed at improving the timeliness of processes under the NAR.

The NAR is a regulatory framework set out in Part IIIA of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to facilitate third party access to certain services provided by means of significant infrastructure facilities, and is designed to promote effective competition in upstream and downstream markets - typically by allowing users seeking access to significant infrastructure to have disputes arbitrated when negotiations fail.

Processes for contentious matters considered under the NAR have been identified by stakeholders as being lengthy and arduous, imposing unnecessary costs and acting as a possible deterrent to engaging with the regime. The announced reforms aim to improve timeliness by:

On 11 May 2021 the Government announced it will deliver a New Employment Services Model (new model) replacing jobactive from July 2022.

The new model will introduce two pathways of support for job seekers – Digital Services and Enhanced Services. Job-ready job seekers will be able to self-manage finding employment through Digital Services. Job seekers needing tailored and intensive case management, will receive support from Enhanced Services providers.