Over the past five years, governments at all levels around Australia have been making their information and services increasingly available online. The term for this is e-government. It refers to the use of information and communications technologies to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of government.
What can you do online with government?
Government websites throughout Australia collectively provide information, help and assistance, application forms and the means of paying for a wide range of government services.
The Australian government has created a website, the Business Entry Point (BEP) http://www.business.gov.au, which acts as an online government resource for the Australian business community. It provides business with a wide range of services and information about start-up, taxation, licensing and legislation, as well as significant activities such as taxation compliance and licence applications. The BEP enables businesses to comply with government requirements more simply and conveniently by providing free online access to essential information and services.
In addition, the Australian Government has invested in a range of initiatives to assist business to deal electronically with government including:
AusTender (formerly known as the Commonwealth Electronic Tender System (CETS))
AusTender is a web-based e-tendering facility operating as a pilot system. It provides for the publishing of Australian Government open business opportunities, download of tender documentation and upload of tender responses in a secure online environment.
Benefits to business, in particular SMEs, include 24x7 geographically independent access to open business opportunities and tender documentation. Bid development time is increased and there is potential reduction in the cost of preparing and responding to government business opportunities. http://www.tenders.gov.au
Doing Business Online with Government
The Doing Business Online with Government Guide was produced in November 2002 to assist suppliers to trade electronically with Australian Government agencies. Its key objective was to accelerate the uptake of e-commerce between small business and government. http://www.agimo.gov.au/publications/2002/11/dbowg
Commonwealth Purchasing and Disposal Gazette
Government purchasing policy requires that all agencies, subject to the Financial Management Accountability (FMA) Act 1997, publish open business opportunities, and report all contracts and standing offers of $2000 or more, in the Commonwealth Purchasing and Disposal Gazette. The Gazette consists of two parts:
- The business opportunities section of the Government Advertising website (http://www.ads.gov.au) provides information on government tenders to the public free of charge
- The Gazette Publishing System (GaPS) located at http://www.contracts.gov.au, contains information about resulting contracts and standing offers and provides searching and reporting facilities for users.
What to do
Consider the range of business activities that you engage in where there is a requirement or need to work with government. These activities might include:
- starting-up a business
- taxation
- paying taxes
- applying for licenses and permits
- checking legislation
- training and apprenticeships
- importing and exporting
- employing people
- grants and financial assistance
- closing down a business
Investigate whether those services, help or information are available online by exploring the relevant sections of the BEP (Business Entry Point) http://www.business.gov.au or the other websites listed above.
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