Published Impact Analyses

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

On 24 February 2021 the Government introduced a series of reforms as part of a Bill for a new online safety Act.

Australians are increasingly exposed to harms online. A failure to improve Australia’s online safety framework would result in harm continuing being done to individuals, the community and the economy. The Government’s preferred option - a new online safety Act with new and improved schemes - provides the greatest level of protection for Australians from online harms. The measures in this option would have a relatively low regulatory impact, in contrast to the significant benefits that the measures would provide the community and the economy.

COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

On 12 February 2021, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications released a Council of Australian Governments Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) for consultation on reforms to the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards).

The RIS considers regulatory and non-regulatory reform options for 16 areas of the Transport Standards, to ensure they remain efficient and meet the needs and expectations of the Australian public.

COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – Australian Energy Market Commission

On 4 February 2021, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) published a draft determination and rule titled National Electricity Amendment (Implementing a general power system risk review) Rule 2021.

The draft rule proposes to implement an annual general power system risk review (GPSRR) in which the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) would identify and assess risks to power system security associated with five key risk areas, in collaboration with Network Service Providers (NSPs). The draft rule would require AEMO to complete the first GPSRR within 18 months of the rule commencing.

COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – Australian Energy Market Commission

On 1 October 2020, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) received separate rule change requests from TransGrid and ElectraNet seeking participant derogations from the applicability of the rules in relation to the financeability of their share of actionable Integrated System Plan (ISP) projects.

Independent Review – Australian Communications and Media Authority

On 15 January 2021, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced the outcome of a review into the use of the 3700-4200 MHz spectrum band.

The ACMA instituted a review of the 3700-4200 MHz spectrum band, as it is the subject of considerable interest globally as suitable mid band spectrum for a range of applications, including fixed satellite services and wireless broadband (WBB) such as 5G, whereas current regulatory arrangements in the band are optimised to support a different mixture of uses, including: apparatus licensed point-to-point fixed service links (PTP), coordinated fixed satellite service (FSS) receive earth stations, and various low power class licensed devices.

Independent Review – Australian Communications and Media Authority

On 15 January 2021, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced the outcome of a review into the use of the 2GHz spectrum band (1980-2010 and 2170-2300 MHz).

Non-compliance with COAG’s best practice regulation requirements – Australian Registrars' National Electronic Conveyancing Council 

In September 2020, the Australian Registrars' National Electronic Conveyancing Council (ARNECC) announced a decision to develop legislation to require interoperability between Electronic Lodgement Network Operators (ELNOs).

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) best practice regulation requirements apply to decisions by ministerial councils or other bodies where there is a reasonable expectation of widespread compliance. Under the COAG requirements a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) needs to be prepared for the consultation stage, and for the decision stage.  

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of the Treasury

On 12 November 2020, the Government introduced the Corporations Amendment (Corporate Insolvency Reforms) Bill 2020 for the purposes of:

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Health

On 21 December 2020, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) within the Department of Health announced that nicotine would be rescheduled within the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (the Poisons Standard), in accordance with section 52D(2) of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. 

Independent Review – Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

On 21 December 2020, the Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Michael Sukkar, announced a package of safety and information standards to address the hazards of button/coin batteries. The package includes two related regulatory controls covering two classes of ‘consumer goods of a kind’ – consumer goods that contain button/coin batteries, and button/coin batteries themselves. The controls include safety standards that will have physical requirements for the goods and information standards under sections 104 and 134 of the Australian Consumer Law.