The big changes coming to Australia in 2025: Here’s what you need to know

2025 is set to get off to a flying start with several new laws (and fees) coming into effect from 12:01AM on New Year’s Day.

So here are the changes taking place from the moment you scream “happy new year.”

Indexation to boost Centrelink payments

More than one million Australians who receive welfare allowances will see a rise in their payments from 1 January, 2025.

Those who are currently supported by Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY and Carer Allowance payments are among the many set to a receive the hip-pocket boost.

Australia’s 660,000 carers will see their Carer Allowance increase to $159.30 a fortnight, while single recipients of Youth Allowance aged 18 years and over and living at home will receive an extra $17.30 a fortnight, raising their payment to $477.10.

Single parents with dependent children will also see their Austudy payments increase to $845.80, with individuals supported by ABSTUDY and undertaking a Master’s degree or a Doctorate set to receive $1,231.40. a fortnight.

A full breakdown of who will benefit can be found here.

Australian passport fees jump again

Travelling overseas is set to become more expensive with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirming that the price of an Australian Passport will increase come New Year’s Day.

The price of a 10-year passport will increase from $398 to $412, with five-year passports for children and seniors set to increase from $201 to $208.

The average Aussie family of four will now collectively pay $1,240 for two adult and two child passports, which is an extra $42 when compared to July 2024.

Many Aussies quickly took to social media slamming the fee hike, with one user comparing our passport to Singapore, which allows its citizens visa-free access to an extra 15 countries for a fraction of the cost.

“The most valuable passport for entering 195 countries is only $80 Australian, so how does Australia’s passport enter 180 countries and cost $400?,” Steve Norfolk wrote on Facebook.

The Australian passport is already the most expensive in the world but Singapore’s is the most powerful and far more affordable, only costing $A82.

Wage theft can lead to jail-time

From 1 January 2025, intentional underpayment of wages by Australian employers will become a criminal offence.

Those found guilty of breaching wage theft laws could face “monetary fines, prison time, or both” under new legislation which comes into effect on New Year’s Day.

Individuals “intentionally” underpaying staff could be jailed for up to 10 years or fined $1.65 million, whilst companies found to have breached the new laws will be slapped with a fine of up to $8.25 million.

The new laws come after years of high-profile pay scandals involving some of the nation’s largest employers including Woolworths, Qantas, the ABC and 7-Eleven.

The change does include an exemption for bosses who make an honest mistake with the Fair Work Ombudsman empowered to investigate matters of alleged underpayment offences and refer them to the Australian Federal Police for consideration and possible criminal prosecution.

Vehicle Emissions Laws

Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which caps the amount of pollution that new cars can emit, will take effect from 1 January 2025.

The new legislation sets pollution limits for newly-built cars, with Labor arguing the the change will drive down emissions as the Government tries to meet its net zero targets.

The legislation, which caused political uproar earlier this year, follows similar schemes out of Europe, New Zealand and Canada, with the federal Opposition labelling the Vehicle Efficiency Standard as a “tax on new cars.”

Plastic Bans

From 1 January, some plastic utensils will be banned in New South Wales, with several states to follow suit in the new year.

Known as “integrated plastics”, the ban is set to include spoons, plastic plates and straws found in packaged goods.

Community groups and not-for-profits, including those which operate kiosks or canteens, will no longer be able to sell or give away items that include integrated plastics — except where an exemption is made such as for kids with disabilities.

Plastic glitter, balloons, sandwich bags and drink bottles can still be used by schools, however the Government has warned that they may be banned in future.