Australia is gearing up for 2025, as numerous legislative and regulatory changes are poised to reshape various aspects of life for its citizens. From driving regulations to welfare reform, the new year promises to usher in significant shifts across multiple sectors, reflecting the government’s commitment to modernizing the legal framework and addressing contemporary challenges.
One of the most pronounced changes will be felt by young drivers transitioning to independence. Victoria, the only Australian state where individuals must be 18 to obtain their probationary license, plans to lower the minimum age to 17. This initiative, championed by State Nationals MP Gaelle Broad, aims to support young people, particularly those living in rural areas who rely on their vehicles for work and education. Broad emphasized the potential benefits, stating, "Young people, especially those living in rural and regional areas, are at a disadvantage by not being allowed to access their provisional license at the age of 17." If enacted, this law is expected to go live during 2025.
Driving regulations are also undergoing revisions in New South Wales (NSW). New rules are set to allow P-platers aged 25 and older to use mobile phones for GPS navigation if the device is mounted and used responsibly. This exemption, anticipated to commence early next year, will only last one year and will be subject to review to assess its effects on driving safety. The anticipation surrounding this trial indicates the government’s proactive steps to evaluate the impacts of legislative changes. Legal expert Avinash Singh noted, "Interestingly, this exemption will only last for one year and is to be repealed 12 months after it takes effect. If it doesn’t lead to more accidents, the change will likely be made permanent."
Another significant change is expected for electric scooter and bicycle riders, particularly impacting the Sikh community. An exemption will soon allow Sikh riders wearing turbans to travel without helmets on bicycles and motorcycles, raising safety concerns among opponents of the proposed legislation. This legislative amendment is yet to receive an official start date, but it has already sparked considerable debate among community groups and safety advocates.
The NSW government is also cracking down on reckless driving behavior. New legislation stipulates it will be treated as an offense to drive through floodwaters when there is reckless disregard for the risk involved. Fines will accompany new measures against those caught trading demerit points, with penalties reaching up to $22,000.
Western Australia is set to revamp court-imposed penalties significantly, increasing allowable fines from $1,000 to $5,000, raising concerns about judicial overreach and discouraging people from contesting road offenses. On the regulatory front, off-road vehicle owners will gain the convenience of online procedures to register and transfer vehicles, though there are fears this may invite fraudulent behavior.
Meanwhile, Queensland will continue its policy of reducing registration costs by 20% on light vehicles and dealer plates, aimed at alleviating cost-of-living pressures for families.
Welfare reforms are scheduled to take effect across the nation as well. Starting January 1, 2025, numerous Centrelink payments will increase, benefiting more than one million Australians. Important adjustments include enhancements to the Youth Allowance and Austudy, ensuring more support for vulnerable populations as inflation affects household budgets.
Wage theft is also becoming a considerable concern, leading to the criminalization of intentional underpayment as part of the Labor government's “Closing Loopholes” reform package. This new legislation will carry severe consequences, including jail terms and hefty fines for intentional wage theft but will not apply to inadvertent mistakes made by employers.
Significant gambling reform is also on the horizon as laws banning ATMs from being visible within sight of pokies will go live, marking another step toward responsible gambling measures aimed at minimizing gambling harm.
Healthcare reforms include increases to Medicare Safety Net thresholds, which will necessitate higher out-of-pocket expenses before patients qualify for enhanced benefits, reflecting continual adjustments to the healthcare funding framework.
From the beginning of 2025, there will also be substantial changes to the Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding (FRCGW) scheme, affecting both foreign residents and Australians selling property. The withholding amount will rise from 12.5% to 15%, and the qualifying threshold will be removed altogether, making this reform particularly impactful for all property sales.
Australians can also expect to pay more for passport renewals and applications starting January 1, applying pressure on travel costs. The most significant change, perhaps, is the outright ban on the importation of engineered stone products, responding to health concerns related to silicosis hazards facing workers dealing with these materials.
An ambitious new policy mandates all sheep and goats born from January 1, 2025, must be fitted with electronic identification tags, portraying Australia's commitment to enhancing biosecurity and livestock traceability amid increasing health crises faced by the agriculture industry.
These legislative changes anticipated for 2025 reveal the Australian government’s flexibility and responsiveness to pressing social issues. The forthcoming shifts not only highlight attempts to tackle wrongful practices and protect vulnerable populations, but they also reflect dedication to modernizing the nation’s legal framework to meet contemporary standards and expectations.
