The Australian government has cut red tape for restaurants and cafes by scrapping the requirement to produce separate menus for weekends and public holidays when they might apply a surcharge.
Under the country’s component pricing laws, the final price of a product must be displayed, including all fees and charges. This meant that restaurants and cafes applying surcharges on weekends and public holidays had to create separate menus just for those days.
The new exemption will allow restaurants and cafes that apply a surcharge on weekends and public holidays to do so without having to provide separate menus.
"The government has taken action to cut red tape for restaurants and cafés, reducing costs and complexity but maintaining transparency for consumers," said Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, David Bradbury.
Under the new rule, restaurants and cafes will no longer have to print and distribute a different menu for weekends and public holidays; show two or more lists of prices on the same menu; undertake changes to the blackboard menu.
"The exemption positively impacts on small business," said Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business, Bernie Ripoll. "Restaurants and cafes are a valuable part of the Australian economy, so it is important that these businesses are not subject to any unnecessary red tape."