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Victorian Guide to Regulation

The Victorian Guide to Regulation supports policy-makers to develop high quality policy proposals and impact assessments. The Victorian Guide to Regulation (the Guide) explains the Victorian Government’s approach and requirements for impact analysis.

It should be used when developing policy proposals and regulatory impact assessments. The Guide outlines regulatory best practice principles and sets out the seven key questions to be answered when developing an impact assessment.

The current edition was released in July 2024.

2024 Victorian Guide to Regulation PDF 13.35 MB (opens in a new window)

2024 Victorian Guide to Regulation Word 653.91 KB (opens in a new window)

The seven key questions

The Guide explains seven key questions that must be answered in an impact assessment:

  1. Why is the Government considering action? (problem analysis)
  2. Which outcomes is the Government aiming to achieve? (objectives for action)
  3. What are the possible different courses of action that could be taken? (identify feasible options)
  4. What are the expected impacts (benefits and costs) of options and what is the preferred option? (impact analysis)
  5. What are the characteristics of the preferred option, including small business and competition impacts? (summarise the preferred option)
  6. How will the preferred option be put into place? (implementation plan)
  7. When (and how) will the Government evaluate the effectiveness of the preferred option in meeting the objectives? (evaluation strategy)

In addition, an impact assessment must include the views of stakeholders consulted to date and how future consultation will be undertaken.

Additional BRV guidance

BRV has prepared further guidance to assist Government departments and agencies preparing their impact assessments and policy proposals. Please contact us at contact@betterreg.vic.gov.au for further advice on any other issues.

Evaluation Toolkit

Evaluation Toolkit PDF 383.1 KB (opens in a new window)

Evaluation Toolkit Word 357.29 KB (opens in a new window)

Multi-Criteria Analysis

Guidance Note - Multi-Criteria Analysis PDF 673.42 KB (opens in a new window)

Guidance Note - Multi-Criteria Analysis Word 88.47 KB (opens in a new window)

Problem Analysis Toolkit

Problem Analysis Toolkit PDF 3.06 MB (opens in a new window)

Problem Analysis Toolkit Word 137.51 KB (opens in a new window)

Additional BRV guidance on developing impact assessments is available on the Impact assessment guidance page.

Updated 14 July 2025

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