WA economy to benefit from online licensing

Tuesday, 11 October 2016
 
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• Online licensing to save time and money for businesses and tradespeople
• Electronic lodgement of notices will reduce overheads for industry 

Licensing and registration for more than 40 occupations in Western Australia is beginning to move online, providing a productivity boost to businesses and tradespeople and millions of dollars in savings for taxpayers over the next few years.

Licence applications for electricians, gas fitters, plumbers, builders, real estate agents, motor vehicle dealers and repairers is currently a time consuming paper-based process, but will become a simple online procedure when the digital program is fully rolled out by the State Government, through the Department of Commerce, over the next two years.

Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said transferring licensing from a paper-based to an online system would vastly improve the customer experience and public service efficiency.

"The new online system will enable licence applications to be submitted, electronic payments to be made, and licensees to instantly update their information," Mr Mischin said.

"Electrical contractors and gas fitters will benefit from being able to submit their notices of completion online, saving the industry about $1 million annually and up to 25 minutes a job.  More than 300,000 notices are lodged annually.

"Another red tape reduction initiative is AssociationsOnline, where more than 18,000 associations and clubs in WA can now interact online and submit annual information statements, update details, download forms and lodge applications any time of the day.

"Also planned is a change to the licensing framework around employment agents, which will save $409,000 in fees over three years.  A Bill to introduce licensing changes will be introduced to State Parliament next year if the Liberal National Government is returned after the election."

Finance Minister Sean L'Estrange said the Department of Commerce was also working with the Department of Transport to implement the Western Australian Government's Digital Services Portal, which formed a key element of Digital WA, the Government's 2016-20 ICT strategy.

"The department has been a notable contributor to the #shredthered campaign this year with a number of initiatives that not only makes it easier and cheaper to do business in WA, but also results in major cost savings for the public service and the WA taxpayer," Mr L'Estrange said.