In Australia, the new financial year brings something new. This time there are changes to fees, charges, taxes, rules, regulations and laws.
Change in the point system:
From 1st July, the new point system will come into effect for general skilled migration.
As per the change, the cut-off limit will be 65 points. Until 30th June 2018 applicants could apply with minimum 60 points.
Increase in minimum wage:
A new national minimum wage comes into effect from the first pay period on or after Sunday, 1 July 2018.
From 1st July, the national minimum wage will increase to $719.20 per week or $18.93 per hour. The base rates of pay will also rise. The change will affect about 2.3 million of Australia’s lowest-paid workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman, Natalie James, says it is essential that employers check the new wage rates that apply to their businesses to ensure that they are paying their workers correctly.
“Employers must take action to pass on the wage increase to their employees to make sure workers are receiving their full lawful entitlements,” Ms James says.
No more single-use plastic bags
Queensland and Western Australia will ban single-use plastic bags from July 1.
The ban on single-use plastic bags is already in place in South Australia, the ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania.
Victoria will ban plastic bags soon, while New South Wales is standing firm saying they can remain, most major retailers have instituted a virtual nationwide ban.
Source: AAP / Joel Carrett
Online shopping tax
The government’s new online GST laws come into effect on July 1st. As per the new GST provisions for online shopping, online retailers will have to apply the 10 per cent levy to goods bought from overseas sites. The tax currently applies only to imports of goods above $1,000.
The changes came as a result of heavy lobbying from some local retailers. Amazon, eBay, Alibaba and Etsy flagged the possibility of geo-blocking Australian users during a Senate inquiry last year.
Amazon's overseas sites will be blocked for Australian visitors and redirected to the Australian site, Amazon.com.au.
Source: AP
New child care subsidy
The government’s childcare reforms kick in on July 2nd.
A family accessing the average 28.5 hours of childcare per week could save about $1,300 per year under a new subsidies system that begins in July, according to government modelling.
"While many families are set to be hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year better off, transitioning to the new system isn't automatic, and families need to make the switch to the new system through myGov,” Education Minister Simon Birmingham said.
No glasses on the passport photo
People who wear glasses will have to provide a passport photo without glasses under new regulations.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has said, “Glasses are not allowed in passport photos taken from 1 July 2018.”
The APO website states that valid medical reasons may include severe light sensitivity or recent eye surgery, but vision impairment alone was not sufficient for medical exemption. If glasses must be worn for medical reasons, the frames “must not obscure the eyes and there must be no reflection from the lenses”.
