The Andrews Labor Government is cutting red tape to save time and money for Victorian families and businesses, making everyday tasks easier and faster – and creating jobs.
A $114.8 million package in the Victorian Budget 2022/23 will move more services online, cut paperwork for businesses and help drive down the cost of living for Victorians.
Last year, Service Victoria was the most downloaded app in Australia – it’s now on more than 5.7 million devices, with transactions boasting an overall customer satisfaction rating of 95 per cent.
Victorians can access a host of services through the app, including Sick Pay Guarantee payments, car rego, fishing licences and ambulance subscriptions.
Funding of $99.8 million will help Service Victoria move even more services online, reducing paperwork for individuals and businesses, making it easier for them to get licences and permits and receive government payments.
Victorians struggling with the cost of living will be able to use a new Savings Finder in the Service Victoria app, designed to highlight government discounts, subsidies and other savings. This builds on some 80 services already available through Service Victoria.
Restaurants, bars and clubs will be able to renew their liquor licences online, and more local council approvals and permits will also be added to the platform.
The Labor Government will cut red tape for businesses with the $10 million Business Acceleration Fund, which will streamline applications and approvals, improve information flow and provide faster licensing at local and state levels – making it easier for Victorian businesses to get on with business.
This builds on the $40 million Regulation Reform Incentive Fund, which will provide up to $200 million of ongoing savings for Victorian businesses.
Faster approvals and easier processes are at the heart of these savings – speeding up 290,000 approvals each year in areas like business licensing, planning referrals and heavy vehicle permits, and cutting time spent on paperwork by more than 280,000 days.
The Government will invest $5 million to improve the way digital information is used, including data to guide the Early Intervention Investment Framework (EIIF) – a program designed to support those who need it most when using government services, like Victorians with chronic health conditions or people sleeping rough.
EIIF projects funded this year will help students in crisis, Victorians struggling with their mental health, at-risk children and their families, people experiencing homelessness and Victorians leaving the prison system.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services and Regulatory Reform Danny Pearson
“The pandemic has changed and disrupted so much of the way we live, work and study – but for so many Victorians, it’s meant more pressure on their pay packet. That’s why we’re doing what we can to help drive down the cost of living for thousands of families across the state.”
“Everyday tasks like renewing your car rego should be as quick and easy as possible – and that’s exactly what you’ll get with the Service Victoria app.”
“We’re cutting red tape and boosting our online services to save time and money for Victorian families and businesses – because it’s good for household budgets and it’s good for jobs.”
Reviewed 03 May 2022