New federal laws

People charged with terrorism offences, security agencies conducting investigations, and anyone detained under counter-terrorism powers face changed legal obligations and procedures.

Extends counter-terrorism stop, search and seizure powers to December 2026 and adds safeguards: police must tell people of their right to complain, security zone declarations expire after 28 days, and emergency entries without a warrant must be reviewed afterwards.

24 Nov 2023·In force

Workers and employers in industries with respiratory disease risks, plus medical professionals, must notify and report occupational respiratory disease cases to a national registry.

22 Nov 2023·In force

People in bankruptcy are affected by changes to how long they remain bankrupt and the conditions under which they can be discharged.

22 Nov 2023·In force

People on bridging visas (temporary visas while awaiting migration decisions) face stricter work and study conditions.

17 Nov 2023·In force

People in family law disputes, including those seeking divorce, parenting orders, or property settlements, face changes to how courts handle their cases.

Rewrites how family courts decide a child's best interests, leading with safety, and removes the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility. Adds specific considerations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and requires independent children's lawyers to meet the child.

6 Nov 2023·In force

Family law practitioners, courts, and child safety agencies can share information more readily in cases involving family violence or child abuse.

6 Nov 2023·In force

University students and graduates face changes to how their degrees are funded, what they pay, and their loan repayment obligations.

Extends demand-driven university places to all Indigenous students rather than only those from regional or remote areas, and requires higher education providers to have and follow a policy for supporting students at risk of failing, with civil penalties for non-compliance.

6 Nov 2023·In force

People applying for Australian visas will pay a new fee before their application is formally processed.

26 Oct 2023·In force

People seeking to migrate to Australia face changed visa rules; asylum seekers arriving by boat may be sent to other countries; employers sponsoring migrant workers face new requirements.

Allows some visas to be allocated by ballot: people register, pay a charge, and are selected at random before they may apply. Protection, humanitarian and safe haven visas are expressly excluded.

26 Oct 2023·In force

People affected by declared disasters can receive one-off payments from the Australian Government to help with immediate costs.

Broadens who can claim the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment: the Minister can set residence-based qualification rules, and more carers count for the child rate, including people receiving family tax benefit for a child under 16.

28 Sept 2023·In force

People seeking affordable housing are affected through a new fund providing loans and grants to build and maintain low-cost rental properties.

Establishes the Housing Australia Future Fund, invested by the Future Fund Board, with the returns paying for grants and loans for social and affordable housing and acute housing needs — including for Indigenous Australians, women, children and veterans.

28 Sept 2023·In force

Doctors and other health practitioners may face investigations and sanctions through changes to the Professional Services Review scheme.

28 Sept 2023·In force

People saving to buy their first home, and those receiving rental assistance or living in public housing, face changes to tax treatment and housing support.

Renames the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation as Housing Australia and restructures its functions into financing, guarantee and capacity building roles, adds Indigenous housing expertise to its board, and extends the Commonwealth guarantee of its liabilities.

28 Sept 2023·In force

Publishers and developers of games, films, and publications can self-classify their products instead of using the government system, affecting how content classification works.

14 Sept 2023·In force

People involved in clinical trials using controlled drugs gain clearer legal pathways; customs and law enforcement gain updated powers.

14 Sept 2023·In force

Businesses that export controlled goods face changes to the administrative process for obtaining export permits.

13 Sept 2023·In force

People charged with or convicted of crimes face changes to criminal offences, sentencing, and court procedures; victims may see changes to rights and protections.

An omnibus of criminal law and law enforcement changes: tightens anti-money-laundering enrolment duties, lets AUSTRAC use automated decision-making for its registers, adjusts witness protection and mutual assistance rules, and recognises the South Australian anti-corruption commission.

13 Sept 2023·In force

Importers and producers of plants, animals, and food must meet stricter biosecurity checks and compliance requirements.

13 Sept 2023·In force

Australian citizens with student loans who live overseas become subject to a new levy on their repayment obligations.

21 Aug 2023·In force

People with private health insurance face changes to dental cover requirements and arrangements for prescribed dental patients.

21 Aug 2023·In force

Small businesses and primary producers who access trade support loans may face changes to loan terms, eligibility, or repayment conditions.

21 Aug 2023·In force

Aboriginal people with claims to land in Jervis Bay Territory face changes to how land rights and governance are recognised and exercised.

21 Aug 2023·In force

28 Nov 2023·In force·Routine legislation

This Act makes technical amendments to other laws to align with changes to disability services legislation, rather than changing policy itself.

28 Nov 2023·In force·Routine legislation

The title doesn't say who this affects; it appears to amend court procedures or judicial protections rather than change rights or services for ordinary people.

27 Nov 2023·In force·Routine legislation

This Act amends treasury legislation to implement various technical and administrative changes across tax, superannuation, and government payment schemes.

27 Nov 2023·In force·Routine legislation

24 Nov 2023·In force·Routine legislation

17 Nov 2023·In force·Routine legislation

The title doesn't say who this affects; it appears to concern administrative changes to intellectual property regulation.

17 Nov 2023·In force·Routine legislation

6 Nov 2023·In force·Routine legislation

28 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

28 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

The title doesn't say who this affects; it appears to update administrative arrangements for the intelligence and security watchdog.

20 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

20 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

20 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

This Act makes technical corrections and minor amendments to tax and Treasury legislation without changing core policy or obligations.

20 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

20 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

Updates prescribed forms and administrative definitions across various federal legislation, with no substantive change to rights or obligations.

20 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

20 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

The title doesn't say who this affects; it appears to concern administrative arrangements for parliamentary staff.

19 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

19 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

14 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

This Act makes technical amendments to other laws to align with a new financial accountability regime for Commonwealth bodies.

14 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

14 Sept 2023·In force·Routine legislation

The title doesn't say who this affects; it appears to amend administrative rules for the organ donation authority.

21 Aug 2023·In force·Routine legislation