Governments at all levels across Australia are making it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to obtain helpful information, and reduce the amount of paperwork and the cost of dealing with government. Recent initiatives implemented by governments in the ACT, Tasmania and Victoria are making it easier for business to get the information they need, leaving them free to get on with the job.
New ACT service is bliss
Business people wanting to open the door to a new Canberra business can now get all the necessary business licence information with one telephone call. The ACT Business Licence Information Service (ACT BLIS) was launched in November 1997. Similar to counterparts around the country, ACT BLIS gives people planning to go into business or expand their existing business a ‘one-phone call’ solution to obtaining federal and ACT business licence information.
ACT BLIS helps businesses on a wide range of fronts &endash; from motor mechanics enquiring about licences or LPG gas equipment to people wanting to know if they need a permit to care for children after school. At the federal level, ACT BLIS deals with every area of industry and commerce, including dentists’ accreditation, zoo registration and wine distilling regulations.
The great advantage of ACT BLIS is that it takes just one phone call to obtain licensing information otherwise only available from individual licensing authorities. Callers ringing the 1800 244 650 hotline will talk to a trained operator who will discuss their needs and search the unique computer database for relevant business licences.
ACT BLIS also offers a lodgement service, allowing business clients to lodge their ACT licence applications with one government agency instead of with individual licensing authorities. A one cheque payment facility for all ACT Government up front fees and an approval tracking service is also provided. The new service, a joint initiative of the ACT and federal governments, is a key component in delivering a comprehensive national one-stop-shop service for small business.
Service Tasmania – getting things done
Doing everyday business with different state government departments can involve a frustrating and time-wasting round of visits, faxes and phone calls for many small business operators
But a recent Tasmanian initiative provides one-stop access to more than 150 government services and facilities through interactive voice response phones, the Internet, or Service Tasmania shops.
Project Director Lee Prince explained that the establishment of Service Tasmania was in line with Premier Rundle’s Directions Statement &endash; a government project aimed at enhancing and simplifying government service delivery using the latest information technology. The benefits of this initiative will flow to business as well as domestic consumers.
‘With one phone call, one Internet link, or over a shop counter, Tasmanian businesses can now access a broad range of services with a number of government agencies,’ Ms Prince told Bizlink News.
As well as paying government bills such as car and boat registration and land tax by phone or on the Internet, Tasmanian firms can also obtain a range of state government information, and download applications for licences, grants and permits. At a Service Tasmania shop they can obtain government publications, maps, contact a Commissioner for Declarations or Justice of the Peace, make appointments with government officers, and comment on government services.
Small Business operators or intenders will be able to make an appointment to see a specialist Small Business Tasmania adviser at Service Tasmania shops. The Tasmanian Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) is accessible through Service Tasmania shops, and can provide information and application forms for business licences from the State and Commonwealth Governments as well as local council requirements. Access to the Internet is also provided at Service Tasmania shops.
An Internet version of the Tasmanian BLIS is currently under development and will be available by the end of June 1998.
‘Response and interest from the consumers has been strong, with the Hobart shop serving 2200 enquires per day, and the Service Tasmania Internet site receiving several thousand hits in the first two to three weeks,’ Ms Prince said.
For more information visit the Service Tasmania Internet site at www.ServiceTasmania .tas.gov.au
Victorian service a world leader in electronic information
The Victorian Business Channel, designed specifically for business, is a world leader in electronic information services. An initiative of the Victorian Government, the service will make it easier for business to obtain relevant government information and reduce the amount of time spent making telephone enquiries or running from one government department to another.
The service provides a single entry point to relevant information through the Internet, day or night, seven days a week. Information is organised according to the everyday necessities of business life and cuts across government departments.
Initially, the information on the Business Channel is from the Department of State Development; Department of Justice; State Revenue Office; Victorian WorkCover Authority; Australian Tax Office; and 78 Victorian local councils. Other government departments and agencies will come online as the service develops.
The service will be implemented in three stages:
Stage 1: Business Information on the Internet is already operating and provides assisted access and browsing of business information on the Internet.
Stage 2: Business Commerce Transactions will enable business transactions through Internet facilities, interactive voice response phones, and electronic touch-screen kiosks located in some government offices and libraries. This stage will be up and running by the end of 1998.
Stage 3: Electronic Procurement will enable business to tender for government contracts, invoice the government for work performed or receive government payments electronically. This final two-way transaction stage of the Business Channel will be in full swing by 2001.
For more information visit the Victorian Business Channel Internet site at www.business. channel.vic.gov.au
