New federal laws
What the Parliament has actually passed, in plain English.
385 laws · showing 201–250
Universities Accord (National Student Ombudsman) Act 2024
AmendsStudents at Australian universities gain access to a new ombudsman scheme to lodge complaints about their university's decisions and conduct.
10 Dec 2024In force
Read the lawTreasury Laws Amendment (Responsible Buy Now Pay Later and Other Measures) Act 2024
MajorAmendsConsumers using buy now pay later services face new rules on fees and interest, and lenders must meet stronger affordability checks.
Amends Treasury laws in relation to buy now pay later arrangements, described in the title as 'responsible', plus other unspecified measures.
10 Dec 2024In force
Read the lawWage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) Act 2024
Early childhood education and care workers and the services they work for are affected by changes to funding and wage support arrangements.
10 Dec 2024In force
Read the lawTreasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions Reform) Act 2024
AmendsBusinesses conducting mergers and acquisitions, and the Foreign Investment Review Board when assessing foreign takeovers, face changed procedural and threshold rules.
10 Dec 2024In force
Read the lawUniversities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Act 2024
MajorAmendsStudents and universities are affected through changes to student loans, university funding, and fees for different courses.
Amends higher education law on how study loan debts are indexed, student services fees, fee-free preparatory courses, placement payments, and the Adelaide University merger.
5 Dec 2024In force
Read the lawMigration Amendment Act 2024
MajorAmendsPeople applying for or holding visas, and employers hiring migrant workers, face changes to migration eligibility, processing, or visa conditions.
Amends the Migration Act 1958 in relation to bridging visas for people awaiting removal, arrangements with third countries, information sharing, and civil liability.
4 Dec 2024In force
Read the lawMigration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Act 2024
AmendsPeople held in immigration detention facilities will be prohibited from possessing certain items.
4 Dec 2024In force
Read the lawMigration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Act 2024
MajorAmendsPeople facing immigration removal and visa cancellation have new grounds and processes applied to their cases.
Amends the Migration Act 1958 on removing non-citizens from Australia, designating "removal concern countries", bridging visas, protection findings and ministerial intervention powers.
4 Dec 2024In force
Read the lawAged Care Act 2024
MajorOlder people in aged care facilities, their families, and aged care providers face changes to funding, standards, staffing requirements, and how care is delivered.
Sets up Commonwealth aged care law: who can access funded aged care services, how providers are registered and regulated, and how those services are funded.
2 Dec 2024In force
Read the lawCyber Security Act 2024
MajorOrganisations handling personal or essential services data must meet new cybersecurity standards, and face penalties for serious breaches.
Sets Commonwealth cyber security rules, covering security standards for internet-connectable products, reporting of ransomware payments, coordination of major incidents, and a Cyber Incident Review Board.
29 Nov 2024In force
Read the lawBetter and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Act 2024
MajorAmendsStudents in Australian schools and their families are affected through changes to school funding arrangements and education policy.
Amends the Australian Education Act 2013, changing how Commonwealth and State school funding shares are set and adding school funding transparency and reporting requirements.
29 Nov 2024In force
Read the lawTreasury Laws Amendment (Reserve Bank Reforms) Act 2024
AmendsPeople who deal with the Reserve Bank are affected by changes to its governance, accountability, and operational arrangements.
29 Nov 2024In force
Read the lawAboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Scheduling) Act 2024
AmendsAboriginal land claim groups in the Northern Territory who hold land under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act may have their land titles affected by changes to how land is scheduled.
29 Nov 2024In force
Read the lawIntelligence Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Cyber Security) Act 2024
AmendsIntelligence agencies gain expanded powers to conduct cyber operations and share intelligence, affecting how government responds to cyber threats.
29 Nov 2024In force
Read the lawSecurity of Critical Infrastructure and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Response and Prevention) Act 2024
AmendsOperators of critical infrastructure (energy, water, communications, transport) face new security requirements, reporting obligations, and potential penalties for non-compliance.
29 Nov 2024In force
Read the lawAustralian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024
Naval personnel and defence workers involved in nuclear-powered submarines must comply with new safety and operational standards.
24 Oct 2024In force
Read the lawCrimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Act 2024
MajorAmendsPeople charged with crimes face changed offences and penalties; victims and witnesses may experience altered court processes and protections.
An omnibus Act changing several Commonwealth criminal law, law enforcement and telecommunications laws, including police seizure of digital assets and the value of a penalty unit.
24 Oct 2024In force
Read the lawCustoms Tariff Amendment (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Expansion) Act 2024
MajorAmendsImporters and exporters trading with CPTPP member countries face changed tariff rates on goods, affecting prices and costs across multiple industries.
Amends Australia's customs tariff law to set import duty rates connected with the expansion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
24 Oct 2024In force
Read the lawPaid Parental Leave Amendment (Adding Superannuation for a More Secure Retirement) Act 2024
MajorAmendsPeople on paid parental leave will receive superannuation contributions on their payments, affecting retirement savings for eligible parents.
Amends paid parental leave law to add superannuation contributions for people receiving government-funded parental leave pay, with the stated aim of boosting retirement savings.
1 Oct 2024In force
Read the lawIllegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Act 2024
AmendsTimber importers and domestic timber traders must comply with stronger rules to prove wood products are legally harvested.
17 Sept 2024In force
Read the lawTreasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Act 2024
AmendsFinancial market participants and operators of payment systems face new regulatory requirements and oversight arrangements.
17 Sept 2024In force
Read the lawNet Zero Economy Authority Act 2024
Businesses and organisations across the economy may face new reporting requirements and engagement with a government authority overseeing net zero transition plans.
17 Sept 2024In force
Read the lawTelecommunications Amendment (SMS Sender ID Register) Act 2024
AmendsBusinesses and organisations sending SMS messages must register their sender IDs, affecting how they communicate with customers.
5 Sept 2024In force
Read the lawCustoms Amendment (Strengthening and Modernising Licensing and Other Measures) Act 2024
AmendsCustoms brokers and importers face changed licensing rules and compliance obligations under Australian customs law.
5 Sept 2024In force
Read the lawNational Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Act 2024
MajorAmendsPeople receiving NDIS support face changes to their plans, eligibility, or funding as the scheme adjusts its operations and costs.
Amends the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013, covering how NDIS supports are defined, how participants' plans, needs assessments and budgets work, and quality and safeguards rules.
5 Sept 2024In force
Read the lawCriminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Act 2024
MajorAmendsPeople can face criminal penalties for creating, distributing, or possessing intimate images of real people made using deepfake technology without consent.
Amends the Criminal Code to create offences for sharing sexual material of an adult without consent, including material created or altered using technology such as deepfakes.
2 Sept 2024In force
Read the lawCounter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Declared Areas) Act 2024
AmendsPeople in areas declared by the minister face restrictions on movement, association, and access to services under counter-terrorism powers.
2 Sept 2024In force
Read the lawTreasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Act 2024
MajorAmendsConsumers and businesses that hold consumer financial data must comply with new rules allowing people to access and share their banking and credit information.
Amends Commonwealth competition and consumer law relating to the Consumer Data Right — the scheme that lets consumers have their data shared with accredited businesses on their instructions.
26 Aug 2024In force
Read the lawSocial Services and Other Legislation Amendment (More Support in the Safety Net) Act 2024
MajorAmendsPeople receiving welfare payments and families with children are affected by changes to payment rates, eligibility, and support conditions.
Amends social security, family assistance and veterans' entitlements law covering rent assistance rates, jobseeker payment rates for some people with partial work capacity, and carer payment rules.
9 July 2024In force
Read the lawCriminal Code Amendment (Protecting Commonwealth Frontline Workers) Act 2024
MajorAmendsPeople who assault police, ambulance workers, or other Commonwealth frontline workers face changed criminal offences and penalties.
Amends the Criminal Code to define "Commonwealth frontline worker" and extend existing offences about causing harm or threats to Commonwealth officials so they cover those workers.
9 July 2024In force
Read the lawFair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Act 2024
AmendsRegistered unions and employer organisations can now withdraw from amalgamations under specific conditions.
9 July 2024In force
Read the lawHealth Insurance Legislation Amendment (Assignment of Medicare Benefits) Act 2024
AmendsPeople who receive health services can have their Medicare benefits assigned directly to their provider instead of claiming them back themselves.
9 July 2024In force
Read the lawExcise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Act 2024
MajorAmendsPeople who smoke or use tobacco products will pay higher excise tax, increasing the price of cigarettes and other tobacco goods.
Amends the Excise Tariff Act 1921 to change how tobacco excise duty rates are indexed and how tobacco products are converted by weight.
9 July 2024In force
Read the lawNational Health Amendment (Supporting Patient Access to Cheaper Medicines and Other Measures) Act 2024
MajorAmendsPeople who take prescription medicines will be affected by changes to PBS listing and pricing arrangements.
Amends national health law covering Commonwealth payments to pharmacists for supplying subsidised medicines, and staged reductions in the discount allowed on patient co-payment charges.
9 July 2024In force
Read the lawPrimary Industries (Services) Levies Act 2024
Farmers and agricultural producers pay levies on their produce to fund industry services and research programs.
9 July 2024In force
Read the lawPrimary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 2024
Importers and exporters of primary industry products pay customs charges to fund biosecurity and product safety inspections.
9 July 2024In force
Read the lawPrimary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 2024
Producers and exporters of primary industry goods pay excise levies that fund research, development, and marketing for their industries.
9 July 2024In force
Read the lawAged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2024
This Act makes technical changes to legislation to align with the Aged Care Act 2024, rather than creating new policy for aged care users or providers.
10 Dec 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawCommonwealth Entities (Payment Surcharges) Tax (Imposition) Act 2024
2 Dec 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawCommonwealth Entities (Payment Surcharges) Act 2024
2 Dec 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawCommonwealth Entities (Payment Surcharges) (Consequential Provisions and Other Matters) Act 2024
AmendsThe title doesn't say who this affects; it appears to make technical changes to laws following other payment surcharge legislation.
2 Dec 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawAustralian Naval Nuclear Power Safety (Transitional Provisions) Act 2024
This Act provides transitional arrangements for nuclear power safety regulations affecting naval nuclear propulsion operations during legislative transition.
24 Oct 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawAustralian Human Rights Commission Amendment (Costs Protection) Act 2024
Amends1 Oct 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawNational Health Amendment (Technical Changes to Averaging Price Disclosure Threshold and Other Matters) Act 2024
Amends26 Sept 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawParliamentary Workplace Support Service Amendment (Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission) Act 2024
17 Sept 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawCustoms Licensing Charges Amendment Act 2024
Amends5 Sept 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawNet Zero Economy Authority (Transitional Provisions) Act 2024
5 Sept 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawPublic Service Amendment Act (No. 2) 2024
Amends26 Aug 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawFair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Act 2024
Amends22 Aug 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the lawAustralian Postal Corporation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024
AmendsThe title doesn't say who this affects; amendment acts to the postal corporation and other legislation typically involve administrative or technical changes.
9 July 2024In forceRoutine legislation
Read the law