Published Impact Analyses

COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – The Australian Building Codes Board

On 18 December 2018, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) examining the impact of proposed amendments to the National Construction Code to implement separate heating and cooling load limits for assessments subject to the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) compliance pathway for Class 1 and Class 2 dwellings, and Class 4 parts of buildings, in relevant climate zones. This change will be reflected in NCC 2019 and subject to a one year transition, take effect from 1 May 2020.

COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – National Transport Commission

On 15 November 2018, the Transport Ministers endorsed the Safety Assurance approach for the introduction of automated vehicles in Australia at first supply.  A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) considered that the current regulatory environment could result in:

Consultation Regulation Impact Statement - Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

On 20 December 2018, the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (the Department) released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) to explore policy responses to new car dealers’ concerns with their franchising relationships with car manufacturers.

COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – COAG Energy Council

On 19 December 2018, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council agreed to implement the Retailer Reliability Obligation (RRO) for the National Electricity Market (NEM).

COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – The Australian Building Codes Board

On 21 December 2018, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) examining the impact of proposed amendments to the National Construction Code (NCC) to improve energy efficiency in relation to commercial buildings. Amendments to Section J of the NCC will be available for viewing on the ABCB website in February 2019 and subject to a one year transition will take effect on 1 May 2020.

The Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) for this proposal considered the impact of proposed changes to the stringency of energy efficiency provisions in the NCC in relation to commercial buildings (Class 3, 5-9 buildings and common areas of Class 2 buildings).

Decision Regulation Impact Statement– The Australian Building Codes Board

On 18 December 2018, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) examining the impact of proposed amendments to the National Construction Code (NCC) to require the construction of separate accessible adult change facilities (AACF) in public buildings including shopping centres and other public assembly buildings.

AACFs are sanitary facilities with additional features to assist people with more profound or complex disability who are unable to use standard accessible facilities independently. NCC 2019 will require the construction of AACFs in the following public buildings:

COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – COAG Energy Council

On 19 December 2018, the Council of Australian Governments Energy Council agreed, based on modelled benefits, that minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and mandatory labelling would be introduced for swimming pool pumps.

The new regulations would commence with a low level MEPS and mandatory labelling requirement, and are expected to be introduced in 2020 - 12 months after Australian Standard AS 5102.1‑2009 is updated with a more reliable and robust method for testing pool pumps. Following a review to consider the effect of MEPS and mandatory labelling on the market, a medium level MEPS would be introduced two years later in 2022.

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of the Treasury

On 28 March 2018, the Government introduced legislation to extend Single Touch Payroll reporting to all employers.

Independent Review - Australian Prudential Regulation Authority

On 12 December 2018, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) released its prudential framework ‘Strengthening Superannuation Member Outcomes’ for registrable superannuation entity (RSE) licensees.

The package consists of a new Prudential Standard SPS 515 Strategic Planning and Member Outcomes, new guidance in the form of Prudential Practice Guide SPG 515 Strategic and Business Planning and Prudential Practice Guide SPG 516 Outcomes Assessment, and a revised Prudential Standard SPS 220 Risk Management.

The framework is designed to strengthen the focus of RSE licensees on delivering quality outcomes for their members, and includes new requirements for RSE licensees to conduct an annual member outcomes assessment as well as making improvements to strategic and business planning and fund expenditure management.

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Communications and the Arts

On 5 December 2018, the Government announced details of the Universal Service Guarantee (USG).

The USG will use the National Broadband Network (NBN) to ensure all Australian homes and businesses have access to broadband services, and will retain the current Universal Service Obligation (USO) arrangements, using the Telstra copper and wireless networks in rural and remote Australia for the provision of voice services in NBN fixed wireless and satellite areas.