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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationIndustry leaders call for free access to Standards to help alleviate costs for small business
Industry leaders call for free access to Standards to help alleviate costs for small business
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“As small businesses continue to struggle with high operational and living costs, and increasing red, white and green tape, HIA and industry partners are calling for free access to Australian Standards to help ease the regulatory burden for builders and tradies.
“This increasing level and complexity of regulation all adds to the regulatory burdens being placed on small businesses and by removing the paywall to access Standards it would be an important step to reduce red tape and improve housing affordability.
“This change would additionally play an important role in progressing the Governments’ deregulation and industry productivity boosting agenda.
“In 2015, the Building Ministers’ Forum agreed to a similar initiative to eliminate costs associated with purchasing the NCC by making it available free and online.
“This move has been an overwhelming success and seen greater usage and better understanding of the NCC, especially by small businesses. It is now regularly accessed by over 400,000 practitioners, significantly up from 12,000 when it was behind a paywall.
“A similar commitment by the Federal and State and Territory governments to fund access to the key Australian Standards for building, plumbing and electrical practitioners would play a significant supporting role for industry.
“By reducing the upfront cost, it would provide a substantial red tape reduction boost for the industry and in turn improve the useability and penetration of the NCC and associated Australian Standards.
“With more innovation and new AI tools coming online, the move to free online Standards would also act as an important step towards smarter integrated standards and help support a more fit for purpose regulatory system in 2025 and beyond,” concluded Ms Martin.
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