SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER
MINISTER FOR FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE
MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES

REGULATORY REFORM TO IMPROVE CERTAINTY FOR BUSINESS, CUT COSTS AND REGULATORY REFORM

The Albanese Labor Government is strengthening Australia’s regulatory system and cutting regulatory burden by $10.2 billion a year through an ambitious productivity agenda set out in the 2026–27 Budget. As part of this broader reform agenda, the Government has today introduced the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026 into Parliament to simplify regulation, improve productivity and expand tell us once arrangements.

The Bill includes 21 measures amending 26 Acts and repealing 2 Acts, affecting 19 Commonwealth agencies.

The amendments will deliver clearer rules and a more reliable system for registering trade marks and other IP rights, simplifying regulation for everyday businesses from cafés protecting their brand, to startups launching new products, and retailers expanding online.

The Bill will also improve cash flow for businesses by removing the mandatory 30-day appeal period when importers don’t plan to appeal decisions for partial duty refunds, and by cutting processing times for exemptions from dumping and countervailing duties, where a tariff concession order in place, from 26 days to zero.

The Bill forms part of the Government’s broader productivity agenda and builds on the success of the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Act 2025. The 2025 Bill saw the Liberals and Nationals team up to oppose reforms that were designed to lift productivity and reduce regulatory burden.

These reforms reflect the Government’s commitment to ongoing, practical regulatory improvement, responding directly to stakeholder feedback and calls for better‑designed regulation, while maintaining appropriate safeguards for the community.

The Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026 is designed to:

• simplify regulatory requirements for businesses and community organisations
• streamline regulatory and administrative processes to improve government efficiency
• expand “tell us once” arrangements to reduce duplication and administrative burden for individuals and businesses, and
• make technical amendments to ensure legislation is operating as intended.

Reforms will support people nominated to help social security recipients engage with Services Australia to cancel the nomination by phone or in person. For example, a carer could more easily cancel a nominee arrangement over the phone after a caring role concludes, helping ensure records are updated promptly.

The Bill will also make life easier for older Australians receiving Commonwealth pensions who are living overseas. Currently Australian pensioners over 80 years old living outside Australia need to visit an Australian consulate or doctor every two years to complete proof of life paperwork. Under the changes, Services Australia will be able to use information it already holds under data sharing agreements with selected countries, removing the need for additional forms or appointments.

Reforms to simplify workplace gender equality reporting and target setting will reduce the regulatory burden for employers, giving them more time to focus on setting meaningful, high-quality targets aligned to their operating context. For example, a large manufacturing business that has set gender equality targets will have an extra year between reporting on outcomes to WGEA and selecting new targets. The business owner can spend less time on reporting and more time setting practical gender equality targets, such as increasing women’s participation in company leadership or improving access to flexible work. The changes will also ensure data is comparable across Commonwealth and private sector employers to provide a whole of nation view of gender equality and better ability for employers to benchmark their performance.

The Government will continue to deliver targeted reforms over time through regular Omnibus Bills, supporting productivity growth, lowering costs for business, supporting a tell us once approach, and ensuring Commonwealth regulation remains efficient, transparent and fit for purpose in a changing economy.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance and Government Services, Senator Katy Gallagher:

“This Bill is another practical step in the Government’s productivity agenda, helping build a more dynamic, resilient and efficient economy.”

“We are reducing regulatory burden and lowering compliance costs so businesses can spend less time dealing with regulation and more time investing, hiring and growing.”

“These reforms show that good regulation can support growth while still maintaining the protections and safeguards Australians expect.”

“By expanding tell-us-once arrangements across government, we are making services simpler, reducing duplication and saving people time.”