This study focuses on three long-standing measures that provide support to individuals and businesses in remote areas, namely the:

• zone tax offset (ZTO)
• fringe benefits tax (FBT) remote area concessions
• Remote Area Allowance (RAA).

There have been concerns within the community that these measures have failed to keep pace with demographic, cost of living and infrastructure changes in Australia. In response to these concerns, the Australian Government has asked the Productivity Commission to evaluate these measures’ objectives, design, operation and effects, and to consider alternatives to them.

The Commission will meet with interested parties, including in regional and remote Australia, during the course of the study. There will be further opportunity to make submissions to the study following the release of the draft report in late August.