Centrelink payments boost, passport fees go up, new vehicle efficiency standards and changes to 20 Australian awards are among the 1 January changes on New Year’s Day 2025. With the new year come new policies, laws, taxes and reforms. Here’s everything to know about changes on 1 January, 2025 that could affect you. Centrelink payments will increase Centrelink payments, including youth allowance, Austudy and carer allowance, will increase in line with inflation . Youth allowance payments to single recipients over 18 who live at home will increase by $17.30 a fortnight from $459.80 to $477.10. Those living away from home will receive $670.30 instead of $646. Recipients with children will get an extra $30.60 a fortnight, totalling $845.80 a fortnight. Austudy recipients with no dependent children will receive $670.30 a fortnight, while those with children will get $845.80. Those on the carer allowance will get an extra $5.80 a fortnight, totalling $159.30 a fortnight. Centrelink payments, including youth allowance and Austudy, will increase in line with inflation. Passport fees rise The cost of a 10-year adult Australian passport goes up to $412, and a five-year children’s passport to $208. The 3.5% increase is simply due to indexation for inflation, but comes on top of a 15% one-off rise in July, which took the adult fee from $346 to $398. The rise means Australia is in no danger of losing its ranking for the most expensive passports in the world. Intentional wage underpayments a criminal offence Employers who intentionally underpay their employees can be fined up to $7.8m (corporations) or $1.6m (individuals). Individuals can also face up to 10 years in jail. The offence will only cover underpayments made on or after 1 January, including when they are part of conduct that started prior to that date. Ban on imported […]