Business red tape cut by DTA

Starting a new business in Australia will soon become easier, with the federal government working to cut red tape around the process.

The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) will host a multidisciplinary team of five government agencies, researching ideas from businesses, software developers and government departments on registration simplification.

“The DTA’s charter is to make it simpler and easier to deal with government,” said Assistant Minister for Digital Transformation Angus Taylor.

“By partnering with other agencies, the DTA will use its expertise on projects like the National Business Simplification Initiative, to guide solutions. We want more Australian businesses to get started, and once they’re up and running, they should only need minimal contact with government.”

Some registers have been operating on outdated technology, with duplicate and inconsistent data between registers and users.

“Business owners are being tied up dealing with multiple agencies and registers, each with different processes — from registration and licensing, to meeting reporting obligations and accessing government services,” said Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Craig Laundy.

The DTA is working with the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Australian Taxation Office, Australian Securities and Investment Commission and the Department of Treasury to roadmap how users navigate different registers and to develop prototypes for simplification.

There are currently 31 business registers managed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Business Register.

A roadmap of user research is expected to be completed early next month for public release.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Robyn Mackenzie

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