Around 110 tradies in Ku-ring-gai will save approximately $200,000 over 10 years by not having to renew their licenses every three years, as part of the NSW Government’s Better Business Reforms.

Member for Ku-ring-gai, Alister Henskens SC MP, said it followed extensive public consultation, which also showed significant support for retaining 13 home building licenses.

“This is a fantastic outcome for consumers and our local tradies, because it maintains important protections, while also reducing costs,” Mr Henskens said.

“We’re keeping all 13 home building licenses because we need skilled and qualified tradies, but we’re also reducing the financial burden on our small businesses.

“Renewal fees will drop from up to $605 every three years, to just a $51 processing fee for tradies to update their details every five years.

“That gives them more money to pay the bills, put food on the table, or grow their businesses.”

The licenses that will become ongoing include decorating, painting, fencing, glazing, kitchen and bathroom benchtop installation, splashback installation, paving, shower screen installation, ducting/mechanical ventilation, shade sails and shade systems installation, dry plastering, wet plastering and minor maintenance/cleaning.

Warwick Hull-Moody, director of That’s the Finish, a painting and decorating business in North Turramurra, welcomed the reforms.

“The licensing system for painters and decorators is important because it sets a respected industry standard,” said Mr Hull-Moody.

 “Australia has an amazing trade sector, featuring the most highly-skilled and qualified trades-persons. It is great news that the Government has taken steps to cut costs significantly for hard-working tradies without removing or compromising the protections on which consumers understandably rely“.

In May 2018, the Government consulted widely with industry and stakeholders, seeking ideas to remove unnecessary red tape and make it easier to start and stay in business in NSW.

The outcome of this consultation will culminate in the Better Business Reforms – the biggest shakeup of NSW consumer law in more than three decades.

 “This is about getting back to basics, and putting money back in the hands of local businesses. When business is made easier, both traders and consumers are better off,” said Mr Henskens.

Minister for Better Regulation, Matt Kean MP, will introduce the Better Business Reforms, which also includes reforms to increase transparency for consumers, into Parliament later this month.