Published Impact Analyses

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Employment

As reported on this website on 18 September 2015, the Australian Government’s new employment services model, jobactive, commenced on 1 July 2015. A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) was prepared and certified by the Department of Employment and regulatory cost burden estimates have been prepared. The Department estimates that the new model is likely to reduce regulatory costs by $62.1 million a year compared to the previous arrangements. This estimate has been agreed by the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR). The OBPR’s final assessment is that the Department of Employment is compliant with the Government’s RIS requirements and the RIS is consistent with best practice.

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Education and Training

Regulation Impact Statement – Australian Tax Office

COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – Transport and Infrastructure Council

Independent Review – The Treasury

On 20 October 2015, the Government released its response to the Financial System Inquiry, which was established in late 2013. The Financial System Inquiry Final Report was released on 7 December 2014. The Financial System Inquiry made recommendations relating to financial system resilience, superannuation, innovation, consumer outcomes and regulatory systems. Key recommendations that the Government’s response agreed with were to:

The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) has updated a range of guidance material associated with the Australian Government Guide to Regulation to reflect changes made by the Government in late 2015. The Australian Government Guide to Regulation provides high-level principles for policy makers and outlines a process for developing a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS). There are four types of RISs: Long Form, Standard Form, Short Form and Interim. This revised guidance note describes the circumstances when a Short Form or Interim RIS might be appropriate for a policy proposal.

The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) has updated a range of guidance material associated with the Australian Government Guide to Regulation to reflect changes made by the Government in late 2015. This User Guide is designed to be read alongside the Guide to Regulation. It provides detail on the specifics of developing your Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) and having it assessed by the OBPR. Among other things, this guide will help you decide what type of RIS to undertake and provide helpful step-by-step advice. This revised guidance note incorporates changes made to the number of policy options to be required in a RIS, regulatory cost offsetting processes, and post-implementation review arrangements, as well as the introduction of an Interim RIS. Further details on these processes can be found in the relevant guidance note. The User Guide also refers to a One page RIS executive summary template file which is attached to this web post.

Independent Review – The Treasury

On 24 November 2015, the Government released its response to the Competition Policy Review. The Government asked Professor Ian Harper and an expert panel to undertake an independent 'root and branch' review of competition policy. 

The Competition Policy Review Report made 56 recommendations for reforms across three key themes: competition policy, laws and institutions. The Government will implement the majority of the Competition Policy Review's recommendations. The Competition Policy Review Report was certified by the Treasury as meeting the requirements of a Regulation Impact Statement. The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) does not assess independent reviews.

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – Safe Work Australia

On 21 December 2015, Safe Work Australia released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on managing risks associated with lead in the workplace: blood lead levels and exposure standards. Lead has a wide range of biological effects on people, including on the developing foetus, which are directly related to the concentration of lead in the affected organ systems. Safe Work Australia is seeking comments on the best way to reduce the potential for adverse health outcomes caused by exposure to lead in the workplace. The COAG RIS for consultation prepared by Safe Work Australia has been approved by the OBPR. Safe Work Australia will accept submissions on the Consultation RIS until 26 February 2016.