New disaster support for nine more regions after severe storms
Disaster recovery support has been extended to include communities in the Blacktown, Cessnock, Dungog, Hawkesbury, Lake Macquarie, Mid Coast, Northern Beaches, Singleton, and Upper Hunter (LGAs) following severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall that impacted the regions from 15 January 2025.
Assistance is available for eligible residents, including:
- help to meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation
- grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items and undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
For more information, see the Media release.
Disaster support for Port Stephens, Maitland, and the Snowy Valleys after severe storms
A disaster declaration has been made for the Maitland, Port Stephens, and Snowy Valleys Local Government Areas (LGAs) following severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall that impacted the regions between January 15 and January 17.
Assistance is available for eligible residents, including:
- help to meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation
- grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items and undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
For more information, see the Media release.
One million safe drivers rewarded with a demerit point removed
One million drivers will have a demerit point removed from their driving record for remaining offence-free in the last 12 months under the demerit point reward scheme.
The scheme will continue for another year, ending on 31 January 2026. It is open to eligible unrestricted and professional licence holders with active demerit points.
For more information, see the Media release.
Ban on importation of engineered stone products
On 1 January 2025, a national ban on the importation of engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels with silica content of more than one percent commenced.
This ban aims to safeguard workers from the incurable illness silicosis, a lung disease caused by respirable crystalline silica. Silicosis is caused by items with a high silica content such as engineered stone.
For more information, see the Media release.
New criminal underpayment laws have started
From 1 January 2025, intentionally underpaying an employee's wages or entitlements can be a criminal offence. Penalties for a conviction include fines, imprisonment, or both.
The Fair Work Ombudsman can investigate alleged underpayment offences and refer matters for criminal prosecution.
For more information, see the Media release.
