A new deal between federal, state and territory governments to slash red tape aims to slash the set-up time for new business from 18 months to three months, starting with a pilot for new cafes and bars in Parramatta.
Industry and Innovation Minister Greg Hunt hopes to build on the model he developed as environment minister to halve the environmental approval time for major projects by securing a deal with state and territory governments to slash "green tape" with an estimated saving to businesses of $420 million a year.
The National Business Simplication Initiative, to be launched in Sydney on Thursday, will focus on retail and hospitality licensing laws in Parramatta, before moving on new cafe approvals in Queensland's Brisbane and Logan regions, 90-day approvals for eco-tourism start-ups in Western Australia, faster food safety approvals in South Australia, and quicker tourism start-ups in Tasmania.
Currently would-be cafe proprietors in Parramatta have to complete up to 48 forms and comply with up to 75 different regulations across different levels of government in a process that can take up to 18 months to set up a cafe.
The federal government plans to use the NSW government's "Easy to do business" plan for a single entry point for start-up businesses as the starting point for other states and other industries.
Mr Hunt has directed Craig Laundy, the assistant minister for industry, innovation and science, to work on the plan "full-time" to ensure a national scheme is in place within three years.
He said over time businesses would be able to more easily complete their licensing and registration requirements across all levels of government.
The idea is that business owners will be able to seamlessly engage with three levels of government at the same time so that "there will be no wrong door" when trying to deal with the red tape involved with start-up businesses.
