<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>334485</docID> <postdate>2024-12-03 09:52:54</postdate> <headline>Best state in Australia to do business revealed</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-322739" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/business-tax.jpeg" alt="" width="815" height="543" /></p> <caption>State and territory business regulation and tax settings have been ranked by a major employer group.</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Poppy Johnston</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Business owners in some parts of the country face limiting trading hours and restrictive planning laws, while one state is leading the pack.</strong></p> <p>South Australia has secured the title of best state to do business, narrowly beating Tasmania, which landed in second place.</p> <p>Victoria came in last place in the business lobby's rankings of state and territory regulatory frameworks and tax settings.</p> <p>The top-performing state in the Business Council of Australia's leaderboard sports the lowest payroll tax rate for large employers.</p> <p>South Australia similarly ranked highly for stamp duty and land tax rates, and businesses had fewer licensing and permit hoops to jump through than elsewhere.</p> <p>Its urban planning system, which takes into account the pace development applications are assessed, also outperformed other states.</p> <p>But on retail trading hours, South Australia had among the most restrictive rules dictating when businesses can and cannot open.</p> <p>The Australian Capital Territory – in third place on the state regulatory leaderboard – offered the most flexibility on trading hours.</p> <p>The Northern Territory, in fourth place overall, similarly scored well on trading hours as well as its payroll tax system.</p> <p>BCA chief executive Bran Black said the point of the exercise was to help businesses looking to expand.</p> <p>The leadership board was also useful for states and territories hoping to attract more business investment, he added.</p> <p>"This report highlights good practice regulations and planning systems across Australia that other states and territories should look to adopt," Mr Black said.</p> <p>"This is critical to boosting productivity, investment and opportunity for communities across the country."</p> </body>