How new laws, fees and charges will affect Victorians in the new year

The new year brings a whole range of changes, including new laws, taxes and costs. Here’s how will they may affect Victorians in 2019.

Many changes will hit Victoria this year, including new laws, taxes and public transport costs.

In the health sector, the cost of a script for drugs on the PBS will increase to $40.30 — up from $39.50 — with concession patients hit with a 10 cent rise per prescription, but feminine hygiene products will be cheaper after being exempted from the GST.

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Passport fees are set to rise from January 1.

Student income support recipients will receive Health Care Cards to get cheaper medicines and discounts, while energy retailers are likely to keep charges steady, or even cut them.

CityLink tolls will increase by 1c to 4c a trip and public transport fares will rise by 2.2 per cent.

In child care, the In Home Care (IHC) family hourly rate cap will increase to $32.

Passports will cost more — $293 for a 10-year passport for people aged over 16, and $148 for a five-year passport for those under 16 or over 75.

Free TAFE for eligible students’ tuition fees for certain courses will begin, but the FEE-HELP loan cap for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science students will rise to $150,000. Those in all other courses will have a loan limit of $104,440.

NAB customers will be charged to use rediATMs.

NAB customers will now be charged $2 to use rediATMs, and there will be a point of consumption tax of 8 per cent payable by wagering service providers.

Pet greyhounds will no longer need muzzling, and businesses and farmers should benefit from two tariff cuts within three days, under the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

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