On Sep. 23, 2026, AST GVT registered Regulatory Reform Omnibus Act 2026 which received Royal Assent on Sep. 18, 2026, with sections 1–3 and schedule 2 (streamlining regulation) part 4 commencing Sep. 18, 2026.
Several provisions commenced on Sep. 19, 2026 including schedule 1 (simplifying business regulation) parts 1, 2, 5 and 6; schedule 2 parts 1, 2 and 6.
Plus, schedule 3 (amendments to support a Tell-Us-Once approach); and schedule 4 (technical and other amendments) parts 2–5.
Deferred commencement dates apply to schedule 2 part 5 on Dec. 18, 2026, schedule 1 part 7 on Jan. 1, 2027, schedule 4 part 1 on Oct. 16, 2026, schedule 1 part 4 on Mar. 18, 2027, and schedule 1 part 3 on Sep. 18, 2027.
The act amends or repeals other legislation as specified in its schedules.
On May 13, AST PRL introduced regulatory reform omnibus bill 2026.
AST PRL introduced the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026, aiming to simplify and streamline regulation for businesses, and published explanatory memorandum.
The bill simplifies and streamlines regulation, makes technical amendments to align definitions, improve existing regulation, support a tell-us-once approach.
It repeals legislation which has become redundant on the Commonwealth statute book.
It was developed following the passage of the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Act 2025.
The amendments will allow employers to evaluate outcomes from the most recent cycle before selecting new targets.
It also amends the reporting period of public sector employers to a start date of Apr. 1 each year, which will harmonize the reporting periods for public sector employers and private sector employers.
Next Steps
Second reading of bill was moved same day; the bill will follow the legislative process.
Sep. 2026 AST GVT Registered Omnibus Act
On Sep. 23, 2026, AST GVT registered Regulatory Reform Omnibus Act 2026 which received Royal Assent on Sep. 18, 2026, with sections 1–3 and schedule 2 (streamlining regulation) part 4 commencing Sep. 18, 2026.
Several provisions commenced on Sep. 19, 2026 including schedule 1 (simplifying business regulation) parts 1, 2, 5 and 6; schedule 2 parts 1, 2 and 6.
Plus, schedule 3 (amendments to support a Tell-Us-Once approach); and schedule 4 (technical and other amendments) parts 2–5.
Deferred commencement dates apply to schedule 2 part 5 on Dec. 18, 2026, schedule 1 part 7 on Jan. 1, 2027, schedule 4 part 1 on Oct. 16, 2026, schedule 1 part 4 on Mar. 18, 2027, and schedule 1 part 3 on Sep. 18, 2027.
The act amends or repeals other legislation as specified in its schedules.
