Overview
- General patient co‑payments for PBS medicines drop to a $25 cap on January 1, with concession cardholders continuing to pay $7.70 until at least 2030 and projected savings of more than $200 million a year.
- Grocery stores and service stations must accept cash for in‑person purchases of $500 or less between 7am and 9pm, with an exemption for businesses under $10 million in annual turnover.
- Youth Allowance, Austudy and Carer Allowance rise through indexation from January 1, and a three‑day Child Care Subsidy guarantee begins on January 5 to provide at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
- A national Centre for Disease Control opens and a free 24/7 nurse‑staffed 1800MEDICARE line launches to bolster public health response and access to advice.
- The temporary federal energy bill rebate ends on January 1, while passport application fees increase in line with CPI and toll charges lift on multiple roads, with NSW retaining its $60 weekly toll cap.