Australia welcomes the New Year with a range of significant changes, affecting employment laws, welfare payments, and citizenship pathways.
As we enter the New Year, a wave of changes is set to impact Australians. From new workplace laws to welfare payment hikes, here are some key changes taking effect on 1 January: Employers who deliberately underpay their employees now risk facing criminal charges under laws that come into effect on 1 January. Under the the new wage-theft laws — part of Labor's suite of Closing Loopholes reforms — companies could be fined up to three times the underpayment amount, or $7.
82 million if the amount of underpayment can't be determined. Individuals could face up to 10 years in prison and up to $1.56 million in fines. Small businesses complying with the new Voluntary Small Business Wage Compliance Code will be exempt from penalties for unintentional underpayment. Residents from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States will be able to fast-track their Australian citizenship if they join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Applicants should have lived in Australia for at least 12 months before applying. The change, effective from 1 January, is expected to lead to a rise in applications and bolster ADF numbers, which is looking to attract 350 people over the 2024-25 financial year. Successful applicants would be able to apply for citizenship after 90 days of service. New Zealanders have been able to join the ADF since July 2024. Over a million Australians — but especially students — will benefit from a 1 January Centrelink payment increase, as Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY, and the Youth Disability Support Pension are raised to keep pace with inflation. Youth Allowance and Austudy payments will increase by up to $30.60 a fortnight. Australians receiving ABSTUDY who are doing a Master's degree or a PhD will get an extra $54 a fortnight. Those on the Disability Support Pension will receive an increase of up to $30.10 a fortnigh
AUSTRALIA EMPLOYMENT LAW WAGE THEFT CITIZENSHIP WELFARE PAYMENTS
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