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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Josh Butler, Nino Bucci, Penry Buckley and Andrew Messenger

Cheaper medicines, rules for cash and new state laws: what will change in Australia on 1 January?

Australia Queensland Anthony Albanese Medicare Victoria
The next phase of Anthony Albanese’s government’s ‘cheaper medicines’ will see a $25 maximum cost for any prescription under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from 1 January
The next phase of Anthony Albanese’s government’s ‘cheaper medicines’ will see a $25 maximum cost for any prescription under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from 1 January. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Cheaper medicines on the PBS, a Medicare phone service and new laws mandating businesses to accept cash payments are just some of the major changes coming into effect in the first week of 2026.

Indexation increases to social security payments, changes to childcare settings and a new online mental health service will also kick in from the beginning of January.

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