SBR Australia Update
and
Key Lessons Learnt
Greg Divall
Program Manager
Standard Business Reporting - Australia
May 2011
SBR Australia
On Overview of SBR in Australia
Current Status of the Program
Key Lessons Learnt
Future Directions
An overview SBR Australia Vision
Reduction in the reporting burden for business
A single language for business to report to
government
Reporting to government becomes a byproduct of natural business systems/process
Businesses own systems become their portal
to report to government
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An Overview of SBR in Australia
Reduce the regulatory reporting burden for
Business, by streamlining the completion and
delivery of government forms.
Thirteen government agencies are involved in
the Program – mandatory for the government
agencies, voluntary for business.
Dependent on providers of business software to
SBR-enable their products
Reports for government are then created and
sent from within this business software.
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An Overview of SBR in Australia
SBR Program is led by The Treasury and co-design with:
Australian Tax Office
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
Australian Bureau of Statistics (taxonomy only)
All state and territory revenue offices (x8)
Businesses and representative organisations
Reporting professionals
Software developers
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An Overview of SBR in Australia
Main Components
Single Reporting Language – Taxonomy
Communication infrastructure – Core Services
Single Authentication process and system – AUSkey
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Single Reporting Language -Taxonomy
Definitional Taxonomy – single harmonised
dictionary of terms across all agencies.
Reporting Taxonomies - elements drawn from
the Definitional Taxonomy
Used by SBR as the standard for data being
exchanged between software and the agencies
Of the 80+ forms, initial harmonisation has
resulted in a 71% reduction (from 9,648 to 2,838
elements)
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Communications Infrastructure – Core
Services
Core Services is the electronic service that allows a
business or intermediary to send a report to the relevant
government agency directly from their business systems.
It enforces the communication standards between the
business software and government agency – Software
Developers see “one government”.
Supports 4 generic web services facilitate all business
interactions.
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AUSkey
Single secure credential to authenticate businesses lodging
reports via SBR
Can be used to access the other government on-line services
(Tax Agent Portal, ABR etc)
Design - Balance between useability and security
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An overview of SBR in Australia
Other Key Components
Software Developer Kit
Agency systems readiness
Communication and education
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Current status - Australian SBR Program
The government side of SBR went live on 1 July 2010
– signalling the beginning of an exciting journey
SBR-enabled software is becoming progressively
available - 1 April 2011, Reckon GovConnect, released its
SBR-enabled product to 400,000 businesses
Lodgement volumes are growing – with around 10,000
informational transactions and 360 lodgements.
New competitive models and new entrants in market place
Welcomed and expected by business
Current Status - Software Developers
Strong support from software developers supporting
small to medium businesses
50+ engaged and signed for SDK licences
22 have commenced testing, 9 have been “self
certified”
Release of SBR-enabled product progressing
Products for tax agents/accountants in development
SWDs want re-use of the current Taxonomy and
similar technology for the authentication mechanism
Current Status - Accounting and
business communities
Accounting community and SWDs want to build off
the one Taxonomy where possible
Business Advisory Forum – key SBR body to assist
with the engagement of stakeholders, includes
representation from: CPA, ICAA, AIG
Developed large business implementation
methodology
Implementation Learning
Allow adequate time for the development of a clear vision that
puts the user experience at the centre of the conceptual
design
Ensure continuity of effective Program Leadership at an
Executive level
As well as senior level governing groups that share the vision
Maintain drive at the program level and be open to change if
things are not working i.e. re-thing strategies to deliver to
agreed time frames
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Implementation Learning (cont.)
Create a culture of open collaboration and real partnerships to
work together with all key stakeholders to achieve the vision
Maintain tight financial, time and quality management
Break the change into small manageable steps or stages – with
deliverables clearly described and agreed by all stakeholders
Maintain central design control, and ensure design decisions
are based on, and reflect the original vision, design principles
and outcomes
Open the communication channels to provide guidance and
support to the various agencies involved in the program
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SBR - future directions
Government has endorsed the development of SBR–compatible
standards for the Superannuation Industry.
Public Sector Review - extend SBR functionality to ease the
regulatory burden imposed by government on business
SBR - future directions
Human Services - working on the development of a
business case for selected Centrelink and Child
Support interactions with employers
Consultation paper regarding the establishment of a
national not-for-profit regulator, proposed
expanding the scope of SBR to include specific
reporting requirements for not-for-profits
Find out more @ www.sbr.gov.au
Work through the learning modules
Read the publications
Subscribe to updates
Become part of the growing SBR
community and share your ideas on our
blog http://blog.sbr.gov.au/
Email: sbr@treasury.gov.au
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Questions?
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Brazil - status
Recent Political changes
13 May 2011 - recently informed that the project will run
as planned for the next three years
Taxonomy in development – being reviewed by XII
Brazilian Securities Commission, the Brazilian Internal
Revenue Service, the São Paulo Futures and Stock
Exchange and the National Treasury Department – on
Steering Committee.
Other views/information re Brazil?
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