On July 1, Australia will implement significant changes impacting various sectors, including the National Minimum Wage, superannuation, and paid parental leave. Additionally, new road regulations will come into effect, varying by state.
In New South Wales (NSW), penalties, fees, and charges will rise by 3.2% due to the Consumer Price Index. For instance, using a mobile phone while driving will result in increased fines, rising from $410 to $423. Detection cameras will now also identify seatbelt violations, and average speed cameras will be activated for certain light vehicles. Furthermore, tolls on significant motorways such as the M7, M2, and others will also increase.
Queensland will lower speed limits in busy areas from 50km/h to 40km/h and increase fines and car registration charges by 3.4%. The penalty for illegal mobile phone use will climb from $1,209 to $1,250.
In Victoria, drivers must slow down to 40km/h when passing roadside assistance vehicles, tow trucks, or emergency services with flashing lights, facing fines up to $961 for non-compliance. Meanwhile, South Australia (SA) mandates a reduced speed of 25km/h in similar situations on multi-lane roads, with potential penalties of $1,895 and nine demerit points for violations.
Western Australia (WA) will introduce reduced speed limits on many roads, with some areas dropping from 60km/h to 50km/h, and high pedestrian zones seeing limits as low as 40km/h. Stricter penalties will apply for illegal mobile phone usage and extreme speeding, with the former incurring fines up to $700 and the latter up to $1,600.
These changes represent a concerted effort across the country to enhance road safety and reflect the evolving socio-economic landscape as of July 1.