Regulation and Red Tape Reduction

This page contains information on regulation and red tape reduction.

Page last updated: 20 November 2018

Reducing the burden of regulation and red tape is one of the Government’s top priorities, with a stated reduction target of $1 billion per annum. The Regulatory Reform Agenda is guided by the principle that regulation should not be the default option for dealing with public policy issues.

The Australian Government Guide to Regulation defines 'regulation' as: Any rule endorsed by government where there is an expectation of compliance, including legislation, regulation, quasi-regulation (such as guidelines and forms) and any other aspect of regulator behaviour which can influence or compel specific behaviour by business, community organisations or individuals’. Regulation also includes the red tape burden imposed by the Commonwealth’s procurement, grants and cost recovery frameworks.

Health is committed to ensuring the delivery of appropriate and effective regulation that maintains desired health outcomes, upholds public health and safety protections, and implements effective compliance regimes.

The Best Practice Regulation Section within the Regulatory Policy Branch at Health supports and promotes regulatory performance across the portfolio. It aims to reduce the impact of regulation and red tape on business, community organisations and individuals.

Expert Review of Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation

The Expert Review of Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation was announced in October 2014 by the then Minister for Health, The Hon Peter Dutton MP, and the then Assistant Minister for Health, The Hon Fiona Nash MP. The review was undertaken by a panel of three eminent experts, and examined the regulatory frameworks for prescription, over-the-counter, and complementary medicines and for medical devices as administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The Health Ministerial Advisory Council (Health MAC) - ended 31 March 2016

The former Health MAC provided advice to Health Ministers on opportunities to reduce regulatory and red tape burden, potential reforms and key policy matters across the health portfolio. The functions of the Health MAC have been absorbed into existing stakeholder mechanisms within the Health portfolio.

Opportunities for Feedback on Red Tape Reduction

If you, or your organisation, have ideas on how regulatory and red tape burden can be reduced in the health sector, or about how to improve a Health programme or policy, please share it with us by completing our submission form.

Regulation Impact Statements (RISs)

This page provides links to all Health RISs since April 2014. RISs play a key role in policy development by providing decision-makers with an assessment of the regulatory impact of policy options.

Regulator Performance Framework

The Government introduced the Regulator Performance Framework (the Framework) to improve regulatory performance and reduce unnecessary regulatory costs that inhibit productivity.

International Standards and Risk Assessments

The International Standards and Risk Assessments includes content on the Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda’s International Standards and Risk Assessments.

Participating Health Regulators under the Regulator Performance Framework

Eigh Health regulators are subject to the Regulator Performance Framework in the Health portfolio.

Reporting

The Red Tape Reduction reporting includes the portfolio’s reports on implementing the Regulatory Reform Agenda (previously, the deregulation agenda) and on reducing regulation and red tape burden.