A broad ranging review of the current NSW regulatory policy framework that underpins regulatory quality across the whole of the NSW Government. This included both policy and statutory requirements that govern how the Government develops, assesses, reviews and reforms legislation and regulations to the extent they impose costs on businesses, consumers and the community.

The regulatory policy framework is the backbone of the public sector and a critical determinant of how the Government delivers its services effectively. In one way or another, regulation (good and bad) affects every single individual in NSW through different stages of their lives.

The report identifies how NSW’s current approach to regulating impacts businesses, consumers and the community. We then considered how those impacts are linked to NSW’s current regulatory framework and practices and where these can be substantially improved. The key findings are set out below.

The report's 26 recommendations aim to raise the quality of regulation in NSW, with the ultimate goal of achieving better regulatory outcomes for the community.

Key findings

• A better approach to reducing red tape is needed
• Often the problem is not regulation itself, but people’s experience of that regulation
• Many aspects of the existing Regulatory Impact Assessment framework have become a ‘tick the box’ exercise that adds limited value to the regulatory and policy development process
• The current framework lacks sufficient rigour in how regulation is managed, or safeguards to prevent a ‘regulation first’ response to public policy issues.
• Engagement should be the regulator’s starting point.