Published Impact Analyses

COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – COAG Energy Council

On 20 April 2018, the COAG Energy Council agreed to further improve lighting energy efficiency regulation by phasing out inefficient halogen light bulbs in Australia and introducing minimum standards for LED light bulbs in Australia and New Zealand in line with European Union (EU) standards.

The phase out will remove remaining incandescent light bulbs and a range of halogen light bulbs from the Australian market, where an equivalent LED light bulb is available.

Timing of the new regulation will align with revised EU minimum standards that will apply to LED light bulbs (planned for September 2020).  The details of the new EU regulation are expected to be finalised in 2018.

Aircraft Noise Regulations – Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities

On 29 March 2017, the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities (the Department) remade the Air Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations 1984, which were due to sunset on 1 April 2018, as the Air Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations 2018, with only minor amendments.

Australian Grape and Wine Authority Regulations 1981 – Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

On 1 April 2018 the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources remade the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Regulations 1981 as the Wine Australia Regulations 2018 (the regulations) without significant amendment.  

The regulations prescribe certain requirements relating to the export, presentation and labelling of wine, including the registration and use of geographic indicators.

Consistent with Government best practice regulation requirements for sunsetting instruments, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, after industry consultation, has certified the regulations as operating effectively and efficiently.

COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – Legislative and Governance Forum on Consumer Affairs

On 9 March 2018, the Australian Government Department of the Treasury released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on behalf of Consumer Affairs Australia and New Zealand. The RIS explores possible options to amend the consumer guarantees within the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

The ACL consumer guarantees regime provides a broad, principles-based system of consumer protections and remedies for consumers in relation to defective goods and services. A review of the ACL identified the consumer guarantees had generally been effective, but there were some ongoing difficulties with the operation of the provisions.

Amendments are proposed covering the following matters:

• The threshold in the definition of ‘consumer’.

Social Security (Assurances of Support) (FAHCSIA) Determination 2007

On 1 April 2018, the above mentioned determination was scheduled to sunset. However, the Department of Social Services decided to remake this Determination with minor amendments.

The remake of the Social Security (Assurances of Support) Determination 2018 will continue to specify requirements for Assurance of Support under the Social Security Act 1991. An Assurance of Support is an undertaking by an individual or a body (the assurer) to repay the Commonwealth an amount equal to the amount of any recoverable social security payments received over a defined period for holders of a visa to whom Assurance of Support requirements apply.

Regulation Impact Statement – Australian Prudential Regulation Authority

On 5 February 2018, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) released its new Reporting Standard ARS 223.0 Residential Mortgage Lending (ARS223.0) for authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs)

Banking exemption No 1 of 2018

On 21 March 2018, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) remade the Banking (Exemption) Order No. 82 in the Banking exemption No 1 of 2018.

The Banking exemption No 1 of 2018 provides a class exemption to enable overseas banks to raise funds in Australia by issuing securities without the need for prior APRA approval.  These banks are required to disclose that the banks issuing these securities are not authorised under Banking Act 1959 (the Act), are not supervised by APRA and investments in these securities are not protected by depositor protection provisions or from potential loss due to the failure of these entities as provided through the Financial Claims Scheme in the Act.

International Air Services Commission Policy Statement 2018 for the International Air Services Commission Act 1992 – Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities

On 20 March 2018, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport remade the International Air Services Policy Statement No. 5 as the International Air Services Commission Policy Statement 2018 (the Policy Statement) under Section 11 of the International Air Services Commission Act 1992, without significant amendments.

Regulation Impact Statement for Consultation – The Australian Building Codes Board

On 9 March 2018, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) examining the impact of proposed changes to the energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code for commercial buildings (Class 3, 5-9 buildings and common areas of Class 2 buildings). The Consultation RIS has been assessed by the OBPR and complies with the COAG requirements for COAG Consultation RISs.

The consultation closes on Friday, 20 April 2018.

The RIS for consultation can be found on the ABCB website.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

On 22 March 2018, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released a consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) examining measures to improve quad bike safety. 114 deaths in Australia were attributed to quad bikes between 2011 and 2017 and four deaths to Side-by-Side vehicles (SSVs). In addition, approximately 2100-2500 injuries were recorded by hospitals across Australia attributable to quad bikes or SSVs. The RIS outlines proposed options for making quad bikes safer including a mandatory safety standard that:

• adopts the US Standard and requires an additional rollover warning label

• introduces a safety star rating system so safer vehicles get a higher rating