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How We Operate

The Business Licensing Authority’s (the BLA's) governance arrangements are set out in the Business Licensing Authority Act 1998 and the Public Administration Act 2004.

While the Chairperson is responsible for directing the operations of the BLA and is accountable for its performance, each member of the BLA makes decisions about licence and registration applications.

The BLA does not hold formal hearings or hear oral evidence but makes its decisions based on information collected from the applicant, other statutory agencies and its own inquiries.

On a day-to-day basis, members of the BLA:

• Ensure applications are dealt with and determined fairly, efficiently and in accordance with the law
• Balance the need to minimise regulatory burdens against consumer protection public interest  issues
• Factor into their considerations maintaining regulatory standards as well as economic and social trends
• Apply and take into account law from a range of areas, including criminal law, consumer law, administrative and human rights law, contract law and planning law.

The Registrar is responsible for:

• maintaining the public registers
• managing the BLA’s compliance with Freedom of Information and privacy legislation
• managing appeals against the BLA’s decisions.