CPA Australia’s pre-Budget submission sets out six priority reform areas to support businesses, workers and the broader Australian economy to address mounting financial pressures. 

Gavan Ord, CPA Australia’s Business Investment and International Lead, says Australia is at a critical juncture and warns that piecemeal reform will not be enough to address mounting financial pressures. 

“Australia’s productivity growth has stalled, the regulatory burden has increased and inflation remains problematic,” Mr Ord said.  

“The May Budget must turn the announcements from last year’s Productivity Roundtable into concrete reforms that make it easier to do business, attract investment and build long-term economic resilience. 

“We’re drowning businesses in red tape and then wondering why productivity is flat. Australia has a productivity problem, not a motivation problem. Business is willing – it is the system that is getting in the way.” 

In its 2026-27 pre-Budget submission, CPA Australia calls on the government to: 

1. Reduce regulatory pressure and improve productivity
2. Improve Australia’s public finances and competitiveness, including embracing comprehensive tax reform
3. Make improvements to the current tax and superannuation system
4. Promote ESG adoption, including climate-related disclosures
5. Support SMEs and NFPs
6. Attract, develop and retain talent. 

Mr Ord said Treasurer Jim Chalmers should commit to comprehensive tax reform and outline a clear reform roadmap. 

“Australia’s over-reliance on income taxes undermines productivity, discourages investment and weakens our international competitiveness,” he said. 

“Intergenerational equity matters, but tinkering around the edges of the tax system won’t deliver it. Without a whole-of-system approach, today’s quick fixes simply become tomorrow’s burden for younger Australians and future taxpayers. 

“Proposals such as the net cashflow tax (NCFT) would increase complexity at a time when Australia desperately needs a simpler, more competitive tax system to drive productivity growth. The NCFT does none of these.” 

CPA Australia’s submission points to practical fixes that would quickly cut compliance costs and uncertainty, such as better use of technology to make it easier to comply and deal with government. For example, removing the need to call the tax office for some issues.  

“If the rules are too complex, business owners spend more time complying than growing. Businesses need certainty and simplicity. These reforms would free up time and resources for investment, growth and job creation,” Mr Ord said. 

“CPA members consistently report that the volume and complexity of regulation continue to increase. While individual regulations may be well-designed, the cumulative regulatory burden can overwhelm businesses, especially SMEs.” 

Mr Ord said the 2026-27 Budget must move beyond incremental fixes. 

“This Budget is an opportunity to restore confidence, lift productivity and put Australia on a more competitive footing. That requires leadership, coordination and a commitment to reform that looks beyond the next electoral cycle,” he said. 

“Business confidence and simplicity are critical to economic renewal, so any reform must reduce barriers to investment, not create new ones.”