As with all things, laws are prone to change, and it’s OK if you aren’t all over it – that’s why you’re here (on this blog), and we’re here to let you know what’s new.

As of the new year, there were some new laws in Australia, which relate to Superannuation and Employment, Driving, and Pedestrians. Some are specific to particular states, and some are countrywide.

Here are the new laws in Australia that you need to know about:

New Superannuation and Employment Laws for Australian’s

As of January 1st 2020, employers must pay superannuation on the gross pay of their employees, including any salary that has been sacrificed.

And if you have multiple employers, you may now be entitled to opt-out of receiving superannuation from some of your employers in order to avoid accidentally creeping over the concessional contributions cap.

New Laws For Drivers in Australia

It’s been a big year already for driving laws, with changes taking place all over the country.

In Western Australia, as of January 1st, the location of speed cameras will no longer be published. All you get is a list of 1800 possible locations where there may or may not be a camera present.

In Queensland, as of February 1st, mobile phone penalties got much tougher, costing drivers more than double the previous penalties — skyrocketing from $400 to $1000 if you’re caught using your phone while driving.

To boot, drivers on their Opens caught breaking this law twice or more over a 12 month period, may lose their licence. And Learning and P-Platers could potentially have their licence taken on the first offence.

New South Wales also has new phone detection cameras, as of February 1st, and anyone caught on their mobile phone will get hit with a fine, rates starting at $344.

Also in New South Wales, drivers who smoke are being hit with new laws which crackdown on drivers caught throwing lit cigarettes from their car. This fine will sting to the amount of $660, and 5 demerit points for offenders. If you’re in a total fire ban, that increases to 10 demerit points and a steep fine of up to $11,000.

New Laws For Pedestrians in Sydney

In Sydney, the launch of the light rail bought with it new road rules specifically impacting pedestrians. The new rules state that pedestrians either must cross the tracks at a designated crossing, or 20 or more metres away from the designated crossing at their own discretion. Anyone caught crossing within this 20-metre area will face a fine of $76.

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