Local Government organisations are an integral part of an initiative to reduce the compliance burden on small business by introducing a single entry point to all levels of government. Through its involvement, Local Government is paving the way for greater uptake of its own online services, a more streamlined relationship with other Local Government bodies and, importantly, less paperwork. The prohibitive cost of compliance obligations and processing documents is as much an issue for government as it is for business.
The Business Entry Point (BEP) is an initiative of the Australian Federal Government which is being supported by Commonwealth, State/Territory and Local Government agencies.
Its introduction is being managed by the Office of Small Business in the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business. AusIndustry has made a substantial contribution to the development of the information component of BEP.
Group Manager, OSB, Lesley Tannahill, said the BEP would bring all levels of government closer to their business communities and make their interaction much smoother.
“People in Local Government are close to their small businesses and understand their needs,” she said.
“By improving the Local Government regulatory environment, we can make real improvements to the way these businesses interact with and perceive all governments.
“A project like BEP can help organisations to introduce electronic service delivery. BEP provides a framework or common approach to the provision of information and services, while recognising and capitalising on the valuable differences between agencies and regions.
“It also provides a lot of information sharing mechanisms for participating agencies which can help with resolving business issues.”
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly voted in November last year to endorse the aims and objects of the BEP initiative in improving access by the public to Local Government services and reducing the compliance burden on local businesses.
The Assembly called on the ALGA to move ahead in assisting local Councils to become involved in whole of government online service delivery initiatives.
“The ALGA has been involved in the initiative as the representative of Local Government and we appreciate this recognition that we have an important role to play,” said ALGA Policy Manager, Chris Bell.
“The BEP initiative will assist Councils that want to use BEP as a framework to help local business and it is useful for Local Government to be involved in devising a set of standardised practices which will be mirrored throughout the country.”
The primary access point for businesses is the BEP Internet site at www.business.gov.au
The service can already be used to apply online for a business tax file number (company, partnership or trust) and an Australian company number or to register for sales tax.
The service incorporates appropriate standards of security and privacy, which will be progressively updated as BEP expands to include facilities such as online payments, change of address processes and initial applications and renewals of a wider range of registrations or licences.
Local Government officers with Internet facilities and local business communities can access the BEP site to find a range of services from the most straightforward advice on starting, buying, expanding or folding a business, through staff issues, finance, taxation, business protection and overall compliance requirements.
The website is clear and concise, with general directions on the wider issues of business down to the finest detail. Other useful information and links to related sites of interest are included. A comprehensive help menu will also make the site easier to navigate.
The BEP initiative recognises the diverse metropolitan, regional, rural, and indigenous communities which Local Governments represent and, in conjunction with Local Government, makes the most appropriate access available to each sector.
With this in mind, the BEP service will also be available through a range of physical outlets, such as shopfronts and phone enquiry service, so that users with limited access to information technology will not be disadvantaged.
More information on how to make the system work for your Local Government agency or business community is available from Paul Griffin, from the BEP Management Branch in OSB.
Paul can be contacted by email at paul.griffin@dewrsb.gov.au or by phone on (02) 6121 7178.
Click here to visit the Business Entry Point web site
