Big changes to hit Aussies on January 1 | New year brings cheaper medicines, higher energy bills …

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New year brings cheaper medicines, higher energy bills

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When Australians wake up to a new year, changes to government payments and policies will impact the finances of millions of households.

From Thursday, the maximum cost of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will be slashed from $31.60 to $25 – the lowest the co-payment has been since 2004, saving Australians over $200 million each year.

The cost-of-living measure, which was announced by the Albanese government in July, kicks in at the same time as a number of support payments are automatically increased in line with indexation.

Cheaper medicines, rules for cash and new state laws: what will change in Australia on 1 January?

Changes include the Victorian government expanding land taxes and Queensland introducing a child sex offender register

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Cheaper medicines on the PBS, a Medicare phone service and new laws mandating businesses to accept cash payments are just some of the major changes coming into effect in the first week of 2026.

Indexation increases to social security payments, changes to childcare settings and a new online mental health service will also kick in from the beginning of January.

Around Australia, other changes from 1 January include the the Victorian government expanding land taxes while making public transport free for children and Queensland’s government bringing in a child sex offender register.

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