A wave of changes will sweep through the country, set to affect nearly every aspect of daily life as we move through 2025.

What may seem like routine updates will soon reveal far-reaching shifts in policies, payments, and regulations that are poised to impact millions.

The upcoming reforms are bound to stir both excitement and concern across the nation, and the full scope of these changes might just surprise you.

Major changes ahead for Australia in 2025. Image source: Pexel/Andrea Piacquadio

Centrelink Payments Get a Boost

Youth allowance, Austudy, and carer allowance will rise in line with inflation. Youth allowance for those over 18 living at home will increase to $477.10 a fortnight, up from $459.80.

Those living away from home will receive $670.30, up from $646.

Austudy recipients without dependants will get $670.30. On the other hand, those with children will see $845.80.

Finally, the carer allowance will increase by $5.80 to $159.30 a fortnight.

Wage Underpayment Becomes Criminal

Employers intentionally underpaying workers will face fines up to $7.8 million for corporations and $1.6 million for individuals, along with possible jail time of up to 10 years, for any underpayments from 1 January onward.

Engineered Stone Import Ban

Australia has banned the import of engineered stone products to protect workers from silicosis, continuing measures to safeguard their health.

Changes to Gambling Regulations in NSW

New laws in NSW will relocate ATMs away from gaming areas in hotels and clubs. Gaming machines and areas will also no longer be visible from ATMs.

Medicare Safety Net Thresholds Rise
Out-of-hospital medical costs eligible for higher rebates will increase, with concession holders now facing a threshold of $834.50, and others reaching $2,615.50.

Pay Rise for Aged Care Workers

Aged care staff will see pay rises, with direct care workers receiving half of their increase in January, and the rest scheduled for October.

New Queensland Electrical Safety Rules

Laws will extend protection to those working near electrical equipment or in roof spaces, focusing on reducing arc flash risks.

Victorian Land Tax Expands

Victoria’s vacant residential land tax will now apply to regional areas. Exemptions are available for holiday homes used for at least four weeks per year.

NSW Single-Use Plastics Ban

NSW’s ban on certain single-use plastics, launched in 2022, has been fully enforced.

Updated Minimum Pay Rates

Changes to 20 awards will introduce new rules for entry-level positions and adjusted pay rates for workers.

South Australia Expands Concessions

South Australia has removed the co-resident income assessment, making more residents eligible for cost-of-living concessions.

Rights to Inspect Wills in SA Expand

Former spouses and those named in previous versions of a will will now have the right to inspect it before it’s validated by the supreme court.

Mandatory Climate Reporting for Large Companies

Starting 1 January, large companies must report their climate-related data, including emissions, as part of their annual financial disclosures.

Cuts to Legal Aid in NT

Due to funding cuts, Legal Aid Northern Territory will scale back services, including adult criminal representation and remote court services.

Payroll Tax Waiver in NT

Employers in the NT with taxable wages under $2.5 million will not have to pay payroll tax for liabilities incurred between 1 January and 30 June 2025.

New Vehicle Emissions Standards

New emissions caps for vehicles will incentivize the supply of low- and zero-emissions cars.

Passport Fees Rise

Adult Australian passport costs will jump by 3 per cent, with 10-year passports now at $412 and children’s five-year passports at $208.

Our full report on this topic is available here.

Key Takeaways

• Centrelink payments such as Youth Allowance, Austudy, and Carer Allowance will rise to match inflation, providing some financial relief.
• Passport fees are set to increase by 3.5 per cent, with the cost of adult and children's passports seeing a notable uptick.
• Employers who intentionally underpay workers will face severe penalties, including substantial fines and the possibility of jail time.
• Australia is introducing a ban on the importation of engineered stone products as a protective measure against diseases like silicosis among workers.

What do you think of these updates—will they have a big impact on your daily life, or are they more about big-picture shifts? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Aussie all the Way]

This Government needs to go and fast before the people who sit around and do nothing, earn more than the working people. You notice they are no longer whinging they can't live on the money they get. Pensioners the forgotten people, they will be sorry they forget about us when they get kicked out of their cushy jobs.

 

[DLHM]

Have you ever heard of a politician who doesn’t lie? I haven’t. It’s a worldwide practice.

 

[rustycu]

All these pensioner replys should be sent to the PM each week on this topic. BOMBARD Him with the messages (it will work ) ....CHEERS .

 

[Rosi Gordon]

How many whingers p!ssed their money away while young paying rent and having a good time in stead of buckling down and buying a house. Now rent is taking up your age pension and what the owners charge for rent is not the government's fault regardless whose in power. I along with so many others are on the age pension and doing OK because we live within our means and because we did look into the future we set ourselves up. There are countries that don't have age pensions at all so they have real problems while we should be grateful that we do get it and not left for families to be left to care for you or be left on the streets.

 

[David567]

Pension increase is in March and September. Always has been.

 

[I cant remember it !...]

The Aged pensioners miss out again. Have to wait another 3 months. Even when you do get an increase it is pathetic. Last increase was $37.10 per fortnight. My next rent increase will be over $200 per fortnight. Reality is that the pension etc are kept unrealistically low to force people to keep working regardless of how pathetic the wages are or how the poor working conditions are. Meanwhile politicians, corporate senior executives etc receive very generous increases. Politicians are seriously out of touch with the reality most people in Australia are living. More concerned about what thier major financial donors want.

I agree with you. By the time you pay house insurance, monthly phone bill, electricity, gas, rates etc......you dont have very much to spare.......

 

[helooney3]

Older age pensioners just don’t matter. We are just a number. No respect whatsoever. We are the forgotten generation …. Our lives are almost over so “who cares”. WE DO MATTER …. WAKE UP AND SEE THIS …. WE SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE KINGS AND QUEENS.

 

[Squizzy1]

Yes, we do, and let's keep reminding everyone that Albo promised us $275 cheaper electricity to get elected. He's a blatant liar. JUST BUYING VOTES.

Aged pensions are adjusted in March and September, and energy is cheaper but retailers have not past it on, only to some businesses. He may be a liar, but the LNP have promised cheaper energy too, in ten years time.

 

[Squizzy1]

I agree with you. By the time you pay house insurance, monthly phone bill, electricity, gas, rates etc......you dont have very much to spare.......

Aged pensions get adjusted twice a year March and Sept.

 

[Squizzy1]

Older age pensioners just don’t matter. We are just a number. No respect whatsoever. We are the forgotten generation …. Our lives are almost over so “who cares”. WE DO MATTER …. WAKE UP AND SEE THIS …. WE SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE KINGS AND QUEENS.

Oh please, one King and Queen is more than enough, everyone is a number.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Just shows your'e NOT a pensioner.probably on easy street.

Age pensions rise every March and September, different payments rise at different times.
I am certainly not saying that age pensions are any where near enough, but it's just not our turn. These other payments mentioned do not rise when ours do.
Every time these other payments rise we get the same cries ",what about age pensions" and everytime people, including myself, try to explain how the system works, but few seem to listen.
Whoopy do a whole $5.80 rise in the carer's allowance, I'll have to go out and celebrate with all the other carers. If we're lucky we should be able to afford a coffee.

 

[Squizzy1]

With my income I never get a raise.

The whinging poms again, oh me poor me, what about me, grow up.

 

[GillyH]

My god when will you pensioners ever stop whinging. We got an increase just recently. Different areas of social security get increases at different times. You need to think outside the square sometimes.

Yep Trina G agree with you. My Mum owns her own home and manages OK on her pension. There was never alot of money in our house growing up. Mum was always quite frugal as My Dad was out of work abit. People that purchase their own home don't get rent relief! Yes there are incentives to purchase a home through the government still. I have just retired, I realised 20 years ago I better start get my Super together. I have a old petrol miser car, own my own home. We spent the last 2 years using a spread sheet on our expenses to see if we could manage, basing it on a aged pension. This includes eating out monthly 2 trips a year interstate to visit grandchildren. abit put away for the new car & house maintenance. Some people don't plan for their retirement, which does creep up on us.

 

[Clancieblue]

I am wondering what some may think the aged Pension should cover. All our lifestyles are different.
I don't expect to have holidays, drinking, smoking and gambling be covered under the pension. I have seen many much flasher cars than mine parked outside the different clubs. When on a rare occasion I have visited for a meal, most of the people playing pokies are elderly people on walkers and walking sticks.
Last week I saw a young man pay towards an elderly ladies' groceries, I think because she was surprised by the price. On leaving with her shopping, she walked straight into the bottle shop. Go figure.

 

[mylittletibbies]

So do you your comments Stink of a capilist poison

These comments are actually the truth though, we get our rise in March and September and these other payments now and again in six months.
Thats how it works so we need to stop complaining every time other peoples payments are increased.

 

[Bridgit]

Yes, once again aged pensioners miss out, yes I am bloody having a winge, served armed forces started paying tax at 13 am now 76, raised a family, payed taxes super was not about in my early years, when I used super to try and maintain a decent lifestyle it lasted 3 years. Well as they say there's always someone worse off.

You get a top up in March and September each year - as a carer I get $5.80 per fortnight for 24 hour care - how's that?

 

[GillyH]

Age pensions rise every March and September, different payments rise at different times.
I am certainly not saying that age pensions are any where near enough, but it's just not our turn. These other payments mentioned do not rise when ours do.
Whoopy do a whole $5.80 rise in the carer's allowance, I'll have to go out and celebrate with all the other carers. If we're lucky we should be able to afford a coffee.

I have just retired from home help Aged care, being a Carer is a thank less job. I often use to do some respite to give these dedicated people a break. The alternative is going into care! which certainly doesn't give the recipient the same quality of dedication and care.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Yes, once again aged pensioners miss out, yes I am bloody having a winge, served armed forces started paying tax at 13 am now 76, raised a family, payed taxes super was not about in my early years, when I used super to try and maintain a decent lifestyle it lasted 3 years. Well as they say there's always someone worse off.

Same with Jobseeker....

 

[Clancieblue]

You get a top up in March and September each year - as a carer I get $5.80 per fortnight for 24 hour care - how's that?

Having been a carer Bridgit, I don't begrudge you one cent. people need to think, you are actually saving the taxpayer. That's why the Government assists with this pitiful payment.

 

[Veggiepatch]

My god when will you pensioners ever stop whinging. We got an increase just recently. Different areas of social security get increases at different times. You need to think outside the square sometimes.

Some pensioners would still whinge if they doubled the Age Pension!

But they gladly accept their overseas pensions as well!