All the changes for workers, carers and students in 2025

The New Year brings increases to Youth and Carer Allowance payments, the criminalisation of wage theft and a pay bump for aged care workers.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the changes were designed to help "people who are still doing it tough even though inflation is coming down and wages are up".

"We're helping people earn more and keep more of what they earn, every taxpayer is receiving a tax cut, medicines are cheaper, youth and carer support is higher for a million Australians, and more people can study at TAFE for free," he said.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payments, general and concessional, have risen in line with the Consumer Price Index each year.

But a one-year indexation freeze on PBS co-payments starts on January 1.

More than one million Australians receiving youth, student and carer support will see increased payments from January 1.

Youth Allowance payments rise between $17.30 and $30.60 each fortnight for young Australians, jobseekers, students and apprentices.

Australians receiving Carer Allowance will see a $5.80 bump in their fortnightly payments.

The New Year brings new laws and criminal penalties for employers who underpay their workers.

Wage theft becomes a criminal offence from January 1.

An award wage increase for aged care workers takes effect from January 1.

Some aged care workers will receive two pay rises in 2025 with award wage increases planned for January and October.

A ban on the importation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs takes effect in the New Year.

The change was designed to protect workers amid a rise in silicosis diagnoses.

Free places for 100,000 TAFE students will be available in 2025 as part of a three-year plan to offer free education to 300,000 TAFE students.

This includes 10,000 places for housing and construction students to plug worker shortages.

University students will be eligible for 8,600 Fee Free Uni Ready placements in the New Year.

The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard sets pollution limits for cars, utes and four-wheel drives from January 1 to reduce emissions.

The Vehicle Efficiency Standard will apply to new cars sold in the Australian market.

People receiving income support will no longer face set time limits on temporary medical incapacity exemptions, for medical conditions or serious illnesses, from mutual obligation requirements.

Services Australia will grant temporary incapacity exemptions based on advice from medical practitioners from January 1.