CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (14:21): My question is to the Minister for Business Services and Consumers. Can the minister please inform the house about the take-up of the occupational licensing online renewal service, and how has this improved customer service?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:21): I thank the honourable member for her question. The new online renewal service for occupational licences was launched by Consumer and Business Services midway through last year. The service eliminates the need to attend CBS during business hours for an occupational licence renewal.

Being online, the renewal service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides instant confirmation of renewal. It cuts red tape for tradespeople and businesses, saving them time and money. It also creates improved efficiencies for CBS. The reduction in phone calls and processing of manual payments frees up staff to focus on other queries, creating further improvements in customer service.

In January 2013, approximately 1,000—just under a quarter—of the occupational licensing renewals for the month were processed through the new online service. CBS has been promoting the new online service via inserts in mail-outs and renewal notices to customers, with further marketing channels to be implemented, including industry newsletters and electronic alerts. Customers can access the service on the CBS website at www.cbs.sa.gov.au.

CBS is providing online options for other services with the aim of creating greater efficiencies and red tape reduction for the public. CBS successfully launched stage 1 of the bonds online service in November 2012—we are talking here of bonds, as in tenancy bonds, not apparel. This service allows landlords, agents and tenants to access information relating to the status of a bond through a quick, easy and secure online facility.

This online service also saves customers time and provides greater flexibility to access information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, again through the CBS website. Stage 2 of bonds online will commence later this year. It will allow tenants, landlords and agents to manage the lodgement and refund of some residential bonds, effectively reducing the time taken to obtain a bond refund significantly.