Consultation period: 3 July to 4 August 2025

We seek feedback to help regulators and policymakers use standards in Australian regulations. We want your views on:

  • competition reform guidelines
  • best practice handbook
  • priority sectors for reform.

The documents will guide good regulatory practice around standards. They aim to:

  • lower the cost of doing business by making regulation clear and easy to follow
  • reduce unnecessary trade barriers to make more high‑quality, safe products available for Australians.

Competition reform guidelines

The guidelines aim to help address challenging policy problems. They form a starting blueprint for governments to apply National Competition Policy (NCP) reforms. They offer an evidence‑based solution to improve:

  • competition
  • productivity
  • outcomes for Australians.

Best practice handbook

This guide gives policymakers tools to consider and use standards in regulation. It helps them adopt risk assessments and conformity assessment procedures. The handbook helps the federal government apply the guidelines. State and territory governments can use it for standards‑related reforms.

Context

Treasury and the Department of Finance are drafting the documents with other government agencies. The documents will support future reforms under the revitalised NCP.

Once finalised, governments will choose priority sectors for future reforms. Governments will work together to deliver reforms, aiming to maximise benefits to Australians.

Key documents

This consultation is closed