From increases to payments and fines to the rolling back of pandemic measures, January 1 brings major changes.
Those on Centrelink payments will get a rise in their income from the start of the year following changes to indexation levels.
The rate for those on Youth Allowance will increase from between $19.10 and $41.40 a fortnight, depending on circumstances.
The rate for those on Austudy will rise between $32.40 and $41.40, while those under 21 with no children and on disability support will receive an increase of between $27.40 and $40.70.
The average cost of fines for federal offences will also rise from the start of the year, with the cost of one penalty unit going from $222 to $275.
Medicines will be made cheaper for patients from the start of the year, with the maximum cost for the general patient co-payment under the PBS going from $42.50 to $30.
New medicines will be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, including faricimab, to treat macular degeneration; daratumumab, for AL amyloidosis; and belcometasone, for the treatment of severe asthma.
January 1 will also bring with it changes to how COVID-19 tests can be accessed.
PCR tests funded by Medicare will now require a referral from a medical practitioner or nurse as part of the government's national COVID-19 strategy.
However, free PCR tests will still be available from clinics operated by state or territory governments.
Financial penalties for residential land breaches to do with foreign investments will also double from the start of the year.
The government is set to extend the Disability Support for Older Australians Program from the start of the year, with an extra $53 million set aside for the scheme for the next 12 months.
Small businesses will benefit from an extension to the Small Business Debt Helpline and the NewAccess for Small Business Owners programs, which kicks in on January 1.
A one-year national skills agreement, which is an outcome of the government's jobs and skills summit, will begin from the start of the year.
The agreement will deliver on 180,000 fee-free TAFE and vocational education places in areas of highest need.
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