Joint media release with the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Hon Ben Morton MP

The Morrison Government is challenging start-ups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop innovative regtech solutions to improve information sharing in the building and construction sector. 

Assistant Minister for Industry Development, Jonno Duniam, said the Business Research and Innovative Initiative (BRII) is providing $6.5 million in grants to improve information sharing for occupational licencing and uptake of Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR).

The Government’s AMR reforms make it easier for workers who need to be licenced or registered for their job to work elsewhere in Australia. It removes the need for a worker to pay and apply for a new licence or registration when working in another state or territory, saving them time and money.

“There’s a critical need in building and construction to improve the process for checking registrations to reduce red tape and create a more mobile workforce,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.

“The introduction of AMR in the building and construction sector will make it easier to work across multiple jurisdictions, but to make that possible we need accurate and timely information sharing around registrations and licensing.” 

Assistant Minister Duniam said the government is seeking applications to improve information sharing for the building and construction industry, particularly for builders, plumbers, electricians, surveyors, building inspectors and engineers.

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ben Morton, said AMR is expected to directly benefit over 168,000 workers each year and add more than $2.4 billion to the economy over the next ten years, by cutting red tape, while also improving services for consumers.

“AMR also enables state and territory regulators to continue compliance activity in an efficient and effective manner. This results in a greater need for real-time exchange of regulatory information between jurisdictions,” Minister Morton said. 

The $6.5 million program includes grants of up to $70,000 for successful applicants to develop their ideas and test feasibility, with successful ideas eligible for a grant of up to $675,000 to develop a prototype or proof of concept. 

Applications open 19 October 2021 and close 30 November 2021. 

More information is available at www.business.gov.au/BRII 

Media contact: Assistant Minister Duniam's office 02 6277 3034