As we begin the final countdown to 2023, there are some big changes coming in for Australians on January 1.
A slew of new laws and rules will go into effect on New Year’s Day, including cash increases for welfare recipients, prescription drug cuts and, in one state, even the garden of children free.
Here’s a list of all the big changes you need to know about.
CASH BOOST FOR YOUNG AUSSIES
Australians who rely on Centrelink will be some of the biggest winners in 2023, with payments set for their biggest boost in 25 years.
The Youth Allowance rate will rise by at least $19 a fortnight in the new year, with youth and student payments indexed by more than 6 per cent.
Youth Allowance is available to people aged 24 or under who are students or apprentices, or aged 21 or under who are looking for work.
From January 1, the basic rate of Youth Allowance for singles will increase by at least $19.10 per fortnight, with a maximum figure of an extra $41.40 per fortnight.
Austudy beneficiaries will see their rate rise by between $32.40 and $41.40 per fortnight, depending on their living conditions and whether they have dependent children.
Under-21s on a disability pension without children will see an increase of between $27.40 and $40.70 a fortnight, with increases also announced for ABSTUDY, carer’s allowance and pharmaceutical allowance.
HELP FOR RETIREES LOOKING TO DOWNSIZE
A change in legislation to help pensioners downsize to smaller, more manageable homes will make it easier for them to do so without affecting their pension payments.
The exemption from the assets test that decides the payment of a person’s pension will be extended from 12 months to 24 months.
The change aims to give pensioners more time to buy, build, rebuild, repair or renovate a new main home before their pension is affected.
The program aims to free up a larger housing stock for younger families in need.
$1,000 CASH FOR VETERANS
Veterans receiving disability payments while serving the country will receive an additional $1,000 per year.
This equates to an increase of $38.46 per fortnight and is expected to benefit at least 27,000 veterans and their families to help keep up with cost of living pressures.
VETERANS ABLE TO BUY A PREVIOUS HOME
Veterans will now be able to get access to a special home loan subsidy as soon as they leave the service.
The Defense Home Ownership Assistance Plan will be expanded to allow veterans to access it as soon as they leave the service.
The change will halve the minimum service requirement from four to two years of permanent service and from eight to four years of reserve service.
For example, a veteran who has served two years on active duty will be eligible for a monthly subsidy of up to $454 on a home loan of up to $402,159.
COST OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION DROPS
For the first time in its 75-year history, the maximum cost of general scripts under the Pharmaceutical Benefit Plan (PBS) will drop.
It means someone taking one medication a month could save up to $150 each year, or a family taking two or three medications could save $300 to $450 a year.
FREE PCR TESTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AT A GENERAL PRACTITIONER
Gone are the days of queuing for hours online to get a PCR test to find out if you have Covid-19.
Australians will only be able to access a free PCR test with a doctor’s referral from January 1.
High-risk groups, including the elderly, First Nations people, people with disabilities and the immunocompromised, can still access free testing through state testing sites and GP-led respiratory clinics without a GP referral.
Those considered to be at low risk can get a bulk-billed PCR test from a private pathologist with a referral from a GP or nurse practitioner.
MENTAL HEALTH SUBSIDY REDUCED FROM 20 TO 10 SESSIONS
Medicare rebated psychology sessions will increase from a maximum of 20 sessions to 10 sessions per year.
The program was expanded when stay-at-home rules tightened in 2021 and demand for mental health services grew as a result of increased isolation and stress among the general population.
The program will again be only 10 subsidized sessions from January 1.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEAVE FOR ALL NSW PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS
Hundreds of thousands of NSW public servants will be entitled to 20 days of domestic violence leave in the new year.
This will include temporary and casual staff.
It is double the amount of the existing right in just 10 days.
MOBILE SPEED CAMERA SIGNS ARE BACK IN NSW
After they were scrapped during the pandemic, the NSW Government has decided to bring back mobile speed camera warning signs.
The decision to remove the warning signs caused considerable backlash from motorists this year as speeding fines increased.
In June this year, 22,000 tickets were issued for speeding violations captured by mobile speed cameras, totaling about $5 million in revenue.
The warning signs will return on January 1.
FREE CHILDREN’S HOME FOR QLD FAMILIES
Queensland families with preschool-age children will be able to get free or cheaper childcare from next year.
The economic boost will mean 14,000 children will be able to enroll in free kindergarten by 2023.
A family earning $60,000 and holding an Australian Government Health Card will benefit from free childcare.
Parents who send their child to long-term care with a family income of up to $130,000 and who receive Family Tax Benefit will save around $500 a year.
VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING IS LEGAL IN QLD
Hundreds of terminally ill people will be able to choose when to end their lives after the state passed voluntary assisted dying laws in 2022.
Federal legislation passed 15 months ago allowed every state in Australia to legalize voluntary assisted dying.
However, the Northern Territory and the ACT have been barred from doing the same due to their territory status.