Families, minimum wage and online shoppers: How your life may change from tomorrow
With just one day remaining until the next financial year, almost all Australians are set for a host of changes.
Here’s what to expect:
Online shoppers
Amazon users will no longer be able to shop from the website’s international stores, meaning they can only make purchases from Amazon Australia.
The company will redirect customers trying to access the US website back to the Australian website.
Also coming into effect on Sunday is a mandatory GST tax that must be added to all purchase made overseas.
Families
As of Monday, July 2, families will need to complete an online means test before their children start child care in order to receive assistance.
Families earning less $186,958 will have no cap on the amount of Child Care subsidy they claim, while those over the mark will be able to claim up to $10,190 per child.
Minimum wage workers
Minimum wage workers will receive a small win come July 1 after the Fair Work Commission announced a 3.5 per cent increase to minimum wages.
Those on the national minimum wage working 38 weeks will receive at least $719.20 – a increase that equates to an extra $24.30.
More expensive public transport
The NSW Government announced Opal fares would increase by 2.2 per cent come July. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal originally recommended an annual increase of 4.2 per cent but Minister for Transport, Andrew Constance, said the government wanted to relieve pressure on the cost of living.
Transport for NSW said in a statement Opal cards for seniors would not be adjusted and those cardholders could still pay just $2.50 for all day travel.
“The average impact on customers is roughly 39 cents a week, which means catching public transport is still a much cheaper option than driving,” Mr Constance said.
Changes to passport pictures
From July 1 there will be new guidelines for passport pictures. Last month the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement glasses could no longer be worn in photos.
“This will further strengthen the integrity of the Australian passport,” the statement said.
“Research has shown that glasses adversely affect passport facial matching. Matching is more accurate without glasses.”
The department said a limited exception may apply for medical reasons when supported by a medical certificate.
Cheaper parking fines
The NSW Government revealed it would cut the 10 most lucrative parking fines by 25 per cent.
“It’s all about helping out with the hip pocket,” Treasurer Dominic Perrottet told 7 News earlier this month.
“We want to make sure that the balance is right when it comes to deterrence versus fairness for the offence.”
Fines will be dropped by $30 in government-controlled parking zones including Barangaroo, around the Sydney foreshore, The Botanic Gardens, Centennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park, and Wentworth and Parramatta Parks.
The 10 fines include park for longer than permitted, park after ticket expired, park after meter expired, park without ticket displayed, stand vehicle in area longer than allowed, not stand vehicle in marked parking space, park without paying meter fee, park without current loading zone ticket, remain in ticket-operated loading zone and stop in restricted area.
Queensland homosexual convictions expunged
Queenslanders who were previously charged under historical homosexual convictions can finally formally apply to have their convictions expunged.
Consensual adult gay sex was a crime in Queensland until January 1991, when it was decriminalised by the Goss government, but convictions before that date have remained on criminal records.
The state government passed laws in October last year setting aside the convictions, however these changes officially come into force from Sunday.
“We know this doesn’t make up for previous prejudice and discrimination, but it is an important step we can and will take to right these past wrongs,” Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said earlier this month.
Power bills to drop
Power bills in southeast Queensland are set to fall by between 1.3 and 8.6 per cent
Three major providers – EnergyAustralia, Origin and AGL – have agreed to lower their rates by between 1.3 and 3.8 per cent, while smaller companies are also passing on cuts, with Powershop announcing an 8.6 per cent drop.
The Queensland government is taking credit for the drops, saying because they own the wholesale power providers they can directly influence the market to drive prices down.
Motor vehicle license and registration costs on the rise
All Queensland State Government fees and charges, including for licences and motor vehicle registration, will rise by 3.5 per cent from Sunday.
That translates to a three-year licence renewal rising from $131.55 to $136.15, and registration for a standard four-cylinder car from $364.65 to $377.40.
The RACQ has hit out at the changes, saying the rises are hurting motorists.
Changes to tax threshold
Tax cuts will also come into effect on Sunday, lifting the 32.5 per cent income tax threshold from $87,000 a year to $90,000.
People earning up to that threshold will also be eligible for a tax offset worth up to $530, but it won’t be paid until tax returns are processed in 2019.
The lower corporate tax rate for businesses with turnovers between $10 million and $50 million will apply from the new financial year.
