(Australian Associated Press)

MAJOR CHANGES TO FEDERAL LAWS IN 2016:

* FAMILIES

– removal of childcare benefits, rebates and the Family Tax Benefit A end-of-year supplement from parents who don’t immunise their children (except for medical reasons)

– Fee assistance for up to 3000 families to subsidise nannies.

– Women’s safety package including funding for programs and trial of GPS trackers for perpetrators

* SUPER/TAXES

– New cap on superannuation income that can be excluded from social security income tests

– Rental income to be included in the aged care means test for new and some existing Residential Care recipients

– Multinational tax avoidance laws

* HEALTH

– pharmacists will have the option of giving a $1 discount on prescription medicines

– no more prescriptions for over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol and aspirin

– radiation therapy cancer treatments and lipectomy (lower body lift after weight loss) added to Medicare

* POSTAL SERVICES

– Ordinary postage stamp to go up from 70c to $1 on Jan 4

* YOUTH

– All early school leavers need to look for work if not studying full-time, or work and study for 25 hours/week

* VISAS

– Work and holiday visa holders allowed to get a second visa if they work in tourism, hospitality or agriculture in northern Australia for three months

* EDUCATION

– $80m strategy to improve indigenous school attendance in remote communities

* PASSPORTS

– Passports for 16 and 17-year-olds will be 10-year instead of five-year and cost the same as adult passports