The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP
Minister for Small Business
Minister for International Development
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury
Monday, 31 August 2026
Making It Easier To Lease And Expand Across Australia
The Albanese Labor Government is taking the next step to make it easier for small businesses to operate, grow and expand across Australia, with consultation opening on how retail leasing and commercial tenancy rules can be made simpler and easier to navigate.
Signing a lease is one of the biggest business decisions many small businesses will make, and clearer, more consistent rules can help reduce unnecessary costs, delays and complexities.
Businesses, landlords, industry groups and other stakeholders are encouraged to have their say as part of the revitalised National Competition Policy.
Retail leasing rules cover areas including disclosure requirements, rent reviews, outgoings, lease transfers, dispute resolution and enforcement.
The consultation will identify where unnecessary differences create additional cost, delay or confusion, and where greater consistency could make it easier for businesses to operate and expand. This is about simplifying existing rules, not imposing identical rules in every state and territory.
This work complements planning and zoning reforms already being progressed under the revitalised National Competition Policy to help make suitable business premises more readily available.
Submissions are now open through the Treasury Consultation Hub until Monday, 12 October 2026.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Dr Anne Aly:
“Australia’s small businesses are the heart of our communities and economy. We want to hear directly from businesses about where the system is creating unnecessary complexity and how we can make it easier to operate and grow.
“This is practical reform focused on cutting red tape and making it easier to do business.
"The Albanese Labor Government wants to make running a small business as easy as possible.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, Dr Andrew Leigh:
“Australian businesses shouldn’t need a new rulebook every time they cross a state border.
“Different leasing rules can mean extra legal costs and extra work for a business wanting to open in another state.
“Where those differences serve no useful purpose, greater consistency can make expansion simpler and cheaper.”
Ends