Revitalising National Competition Policy

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National Competition Policy (NCP) is a major reform program to boost competition and productivity across Australia. The federal government is working with states and territories to deliver these reforms.

They will deliver the NCP under 2 agreements:

For more information, email nationalcompetitionpolicy@treasury.gov.au

Reforms

As of December 2025, reforms under NCP include:

  • liberalising and standardising commercial zoning rules and planning requirements
  • removing barriers to the uptake of modern methods of construction
  • creating a single national market for goods, starting with standards reform in:
    • household electrical consumer products
    • waste and recycling
    • building and construction
    • food standards
  • creating a single national market for workers by incentivising occupational licensing reforms
  • delivering heavy vehicle productivity reforms
  • reforms allowing health practitioners to work to their full scope of practice
  • extending the right to repair to agricultural machinery
  • reforming non‑compete clauses and other employment restraints
  • improving labour mobility in human services through a national worker screening check.

Find each jurisdictions’ reform plans on the Federal Financial Relations website.

Governments committed to revitalise the National Competition Principles under NCP. These principles guide how governments promote competition and remove barriers.

Find timetables showing each governments’ plans to apply the principles on the Federal Financial Relations website.

Productivity Commission studies

The Treasurer asked the Productivity Commission to advise on pro‑competitive reforms under NCP, including:

Consultations

Treasury consulted on the proposed National Competition Principles, reforms, and institutional and governance arrangements.

The government also consulted on:

History

The original NCP began in 1995 through agreements between all Australian, state and territory governments. It was based on the 1993 Hilmer Review’s recommendations.

These reforms modernised and strengthened the economy. This made the economy more resilient during global economic shifts in the late 1990s and 2000s.

Resources

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