This website has been built to comply with current web standards, but is accessible to any browser, screen reader or Internet enabled device.

Department of Justice and Community Safety

About the Office of Regulatory Services

A key outcome identifing what business wants from government is an easing of regulatory complexity.

Responding to this need, the ACT Government announced changes in the 2006-07 budget. "We are creating simpler, clearer and more efficient organisational structures, scaled to the reality of a small city-state, and ready to support business. We are simplifying the regulatory framework, and its administration too."

One strategy announced was the establishment of a single office within the Justice and Community Safety Portfolio that would merge a host of regulatory functions from across various government agencies including: provision of registration services by the Registrar-General, maintenance of the Office of Rental Bonds, maintenance of a fair market by the Office of Fair Trading, high quality support to members of the Essential Services Consumer Tribunal and the Consumer and Trader Tribunal, and regulation and enforcement of legislation covering occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, dangerous substances and labour regulation.

Reducing the Burden of Regulation

Regulatory activities cost the ACT Government about $76 million a year, with functions currently spread across agencies. To remove duplication and reduce overheads, the Government has established the Office of Regulatory Services that encompasses the functions of the Office of Fair Trading, the Registrar-General’s Office and ACT Workcover.

The Office will also assume responsibility for:

  • tobacco licensing and smoke-free area regulation;
  • approvals and administration of a range of business activities associated with the use of public land (outdoor café approvals, Verge Parking for Motor Dealers, and hawkers licences);
  • the licensing and regulatory responsibilities of the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC); and
  • regulatory activities related to parking operations.

The Office brings together capability from across the government to undertake licensing, registration and accreditation, dispute resolution and consumer and trader assistance, compliance and enforcement/litigation, and consumer and trader education.

The amalgamation of the responsibilities will allow for the development of a single government shopfront that administers a significant range of business and occupational licensing. This will enable a ‘One-Stop-Shop’ approach to a greater range of industry interaction with government.

Organisation Chart

Strategic Plan