Commenced 1 July 2024, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has released a new version of AFCA’s Rules and Operational Guidelines which apply to all complaints lodged on or after 1 July 2024.
Fully commenced on 21 October 2024, this Instrument makes consequential amendments to the ASIC Derivative Transaction Rules (Clearing) 2015 by updating the definition of ‘Reporting Rules’ to refer to the ASIC Derivative Transaction Rules (Reporting) 2024.
Commenced on 21 October 2024, the Rules replace the ASIC Derivative Transaction Rules (Reporting) 2022 (Cth) and establish reporting requirements for over-the-counter derivatives.
Fully commenced on 21 October 2024, this Instrument amends the Derivate Transaction Reporting Exemption 2015 to repeal certain exemptions and repeals the ADI Foreign Subsidiaries Exemption and the Derivative Transaction Reporting Exemption 2016.
Fully commenced on 21 October 2024, this Determination repeals the ASIC Regulated Foreign Markets Determination [OTC DET 13/1145] (Cth) and specifies certain financial markets as Regulated Foreign Markets.
Fully commenced on 21 October 2024, this Instrument amends the ASIC Corporations (Derivative Transaction Reporting Exemption) Instrument 2015/844 (Cth) to provide conditional time-limited exemptions from certain reporting requirements under the ASIC Derivative Transaction Rules (Reporting) 2022 (Cth).
Partially commenced on 21 October 2024, this Amendment Instrument amends the ASIC Derivative Transaction Rules (Reporting) 2024 (Cth) and the ASIC Derivative Transaction Rules (Clearing) 2015 (Cth) to introduce changes to reporting requirements for derivative transactions and clarify definitions related to over-the-counter derivatives and clearing derivatives.
Fully commenced on 30 October 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 (WA) to validate common law elections made before 1 July 2024 and provide remedies for affected court proceedings.
Commenced on 2 October 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (Tas) (the Act) to introduce industrial manslaughter provisions to strengthen workplace safety measures, create safer workplaces, and prevent workplace fatalities in Tasmania.
Further commenced on 14 October 2024, the Amendment Act provides new processes relating to representative complaints, including the potential for registered employee organisations to bring complaints on behalf of members for work-related matters.
Further commenced on 1 October 2024, the Amendment Regulations support the implementation of the national vaping reforms to restrict the importation, domestic manufacture, supply, commercial possession, and advertisement of vaping goods under the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation (Vaping Reforms) Act 2024 (Cth).
Commenced on 2 October 2024, this Amendment Act amends several instruments to add superannuation contributions to Paid Parental Leave payments.
Commenced on 1 October 2024, this Instrument determines a new Prudential Standard CPS 001 Defined terms (CPS 001) applying to APRA-regulated entities and revokes several existing prudential standards.
Commenced on 1 October 2024, this Instrument determines a new version of the Prudential Standard GPS 310 Audit and Related Matters which sets out roles and responsibilities of a general insurer and auditor.
Commenced on 1 October 2024, this Instrument determines the new version of the Prudential Standard LPS 112 Capital Adequacy: Measurement of Capital, requiring life insurers to maintain requirements for calculating the illiquidity premium, maintaining minimum capital levels, and meeting the specified criteria for the classification of paid-up ordinary shares.
Commenced on 1 October 2024, this Instrument determines a new version of the Prudential Standard LPS 117 Capital Adequacy: Asset Concentration Risk Charge Life, to set out the method for calculating the Asset Concentration Risk Charge for a life company’s statutory funds and its general fund.
Commenced on 1 October 2024, this Instrument determines a new Prudential Standard HPS 112 Capital Adequacy: Measurement of Capital, requiring private health insurers to adjust their capital management practices, governance frameworks, and risk management processes to ensure compliance and maintain financial soundness.
Commenced 1 November 2024, the Amendment Regulations amend the Building Services (Registration) Regulations 2011 (WA) to extend the renewal period for registration applications under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 (WA) from 8 weeks to 12 weeks before the expiration of a person's registration.
Commenced on 2 November 2024, this Code has been made under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) to provide practical guidance to persons conducting a business or undertaking on managing psychosocial health and safety risks at work.
Commenced on 7 November 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) to establish the position of Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner and to set out the Commissioner's functions, powers, and administrative arrangements.
Commenced on 11 November 2024, this Code has been made under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (ACT) to address harassment and behaviours based on gender and sex that create a risk of harm at work by prescribing sexual and gender-based harassment and discrimination prevention policies, training programs, reporting mechanisms, and response procedures.
Commenced on 12 November 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) to establish a framework for drug-checking services and permit the use of automatic machines for supplying certain poisons to treat opioid overdoses.
Effective 12 November 2024, the Amendment Rules amend the Competition and Consumer (Consumer Data Right) Rules 2020 (Cth) to enhance the consent process and introduce operational improvements to the Consumer Data Right regime.
Partially commenced on 13 November 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Building Act 1993 (Vic), the Architects Act 1991 (Vic), and the Victorian Planning Authority Act 2017 (Vic) to make various changes to the regulatory framework for building and construction in Victoria, including to extend limitation periods for building and plumbing actions and introduce new requirements for protection work notices and compliance certificate for plumbing work.
Commenced on 20 November 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Duties Act 2000 (Vic) to provide a temporary off-the-plan duty concession for newly constructed dwellings in strata subdivisions and support housing affordability by expanding existing concessions to include a broader range of purchasers, including investors, without threshold limitations.
Commenced on 20 November 2024, this Determination has been made to establish a new methodology for calculating carbon credits from reforestation projects under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 (Cth).
Commenced on 22 November 2024, the Amendment Instrument amends the ASIC Corporations (Cash Settlement Fact Sheet) Instrument 2022/59 (Cth) to extend timeframes relating to verbal cash settlement offers and prolong the operation of existing relief provisions.
Commenced on 23 November 2024, the Amendment Standards amend the Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010 (Cth) to update technical requirements for building access and mobility, primarily by incorporating the latest Australian Standard AS 1428.1—2021 and to maintain existing concessions while updating technical specifications to align with current industry standards.
Commenced on 30 November 2024, this Amendment Rule amends the Private Health Insurance (National Joint Replacement Register Levy) Rule 2015 (Cth) to update the National Joint Replacement Register funding amount for partial cost recovery in the 2024-25 financial year.
Commenced on 2 December 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 (NSW), the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2022 (NSW), the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 (NSW), and the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 (NSW) to strengthen regulation of vaping products by aligning with Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws and banning the supply and commercial possession of disposable single use and recreational vapes.
Partially commenced on 5 December 2024, this Act amends, among others, the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth), the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth), and the VET Student Loans Act 2016 (Cth) to implement various measures related to student support and higher education funding. The Act primarily gives effect to the recommendations of the Australian Universities Accord, which set out a number of reforms to the tertiary education system for long-term change.
Commenced on 5 December 2024, this Amendment Act amends the National Electricity (South Australia) Act 1996 (SA) to establish a framework for managing the orderly exit of thermal power generators from the national electricity market.
Commenced on 7 December 2024, the Amendment Regulations have been made to amend multiple superannuation regulations to allow for the commutation of certain legacy retirement products and to clarify the treatment of allocations from pension reserves.
Commenced on 10 December 2024, the Amendment Regulations amend the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Regulation 2015 (Cth) to exempt certain interfunding transactions from mandatory foreign investment notification and reporting requirements, while maintaining the Treasurer's national security call-in and last resort powers.
Fully commenced on 11 December 2024, the Amendment Regulation amends the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Regulation 2015 (NSW) to make changes consequential to the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Amendment Act 2024 (NSW) and to modify the standard form residential site agreement.
Partially commenced on 11 December 2024, the Amendment Regulations have been made to introduce changes to various offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage regulations, including repealing the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Safety) Regulations 2009 (Cth).
Partially commenced on 11 December 2024, this Amendment Act implements significant reforms to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) to strengthen privacy protections, introduce a statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy, and create new criminal offences targeting doxxing.
Fully commenced on 11 December 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) (the Act) to clarify matters in relation to land dealings and community benefits, office holders of Aboriginal Land Councils, membership of Local Aboriginal Land Councils, conduct and disciplinary matters and other miscellaneous matters.
Fully commenced on 12 December 2024, the Amendment Regulations amend the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Regulation 2004 (ACT) to introduce new provisions in relation to medical gas fitting work and medical gas technician as part of the new licensing framework established under the Building and Construction Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (ACT).
Commenced further provisions on 13 December 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) to introduce significant changes to pet ownership, termination of tenancies, and rent payment arrangements.
Commenced on 13 December 2024, the Amendment amends the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 (NSW) to introduce new provisions for construction workers' accommodation in renewable energy zones.
Commenced on 17 December 2024, the Amendment Regulations have been made under the National Gas (Victoria) Act 2008 (Vic) to amend the National Gas (Victoria) (Declared System Provisions) Regulations 2024 (Vic) to prescribe certain provisions of the National Gas Rules as either civil penalty provisions or conduct provisions, and to set civil penalties for breaches of declared system provisions.
Fully commenced on 17 December 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth) (the BSA) to introduce a prominence framework to support the availability of free-to-air television services on internet-connected television devices and to expand the application of the anti-siphoning scheme to online media.
Partially commenced on 1 January 2025, this Amendment Regulation amends the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld) and other legislation to enhance electrical safety requirements in Queensland by expanding requirements for electrical work on or near energised equipment and introducing new safety procedures for roof space work.
Commenced on 1 January 2025, the Amendment Regulations amend the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (Cth) to introduce new import controls for the importation of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs through a permission-based system.
Partially commenced on 1 January 2025, this Amendment Act amends among others, the Duties Act 2000 (Vic), the Fire Services Property Levy Act 2012 (Vic), the First Home Owner Grant and Home Buyer Schemes Act 2000 (Vic), the Land Tax Act 2005 (Vic), the Local Government Act 1989 (Vic), the Property Law Act 1958 (Vic), the Sale of Land Act 1962 (Vic), the Treasury Corporation of Victoria Act 1992 (Vic), the Valuation of Land Act 1960 (Vic) and the Windfall Gains Tax Act 2021 (Vic).
Fully commenced on 1 January 2025, this Amendment Act introduces changes to taxation laws to improve compliance, reduce administrative burden, and modernise payment systems.
Commenced on 1 January 2025, this Act has been made to introduce a new tax regime for build-to-rent developments that are misused and set the tax rate at 1.5% of the build-to-rent misuse amount for the relevant income year.
Partially commenced on 1 January 2025, this Amendment Act amends the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 (Qld), Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld), and Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2014 (Qld)
Partially commenced on 1 January 2025, this Amendment Act amends the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) in relation to workplace relations, certain independent contractors, unfair contracts, the road transport industry, and registered organisations.
Commenced on 1 January 2025, the Amendment Regulations amend the Construction Industry Portable Paid Long Service Leave Regulations 1986 (WA) to increase the contribution rate payable by employers in respect of construction industry employees for portable long service leave purposes.
Fully commenced on 1 January 2025, the Amendment Regulation amends the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) to introduce new requirements relating to crystalline silica and passenger ropeways.
Commenced on 2 January 2025, the Amendment Regulations amend the Rail Safety National Law National Regulations 2012 (SA) to enhance drug and alcohol testing requirements for rail safety workers and strengthen the reporting obligations within drug and alcohol management programs.
Commenced on 2 January 2025, the Amendment Regulations have been made to modify the drug and alcohol management program requirements under the Rail Safety National Law National Regulations 2012 (WA). The amendments enhance testing and reporting requirements for rail operators conducting railway operations in New South Wales.
Commenced on 7 January 2025, this Act establishes a clear objective for Australia's superannuation system and requires the assessment of future superannuation-related legislation and regulations.
Partially commenced on 7 January 2025, this Amendment Act makes significant changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) to strengthen Australia's AML/CTF regime and implement international standards.
Fully commenced on 7 January 2025, this Amendment Act amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 (Cth) to reduce compliance burdens on Australian businesses, support Ukraine's international trade, and simplify Australia's tariff legislation.
Partially commenced on 1 January 2025, this Amendment Regulation amends the Building (General) Regulation 2008 (ACT) to strengthen building certification services, implement reforms to residential building work, and increase the likelihood of identifying building defects during the certification process and protect the community from adverse outcomes associated with building defects.
Fully commenced on 9 January 2025, the Amendment Regulation amends the Residential Tenancies Regulation 1998 (ACT) to introduce new requirements for residential tenancy agreements in the Australian Capital Territory.
Fully commenced on 10 January 2025, this Amendment Act amends various legislation, including the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT), the Charitable Collections Act 2003 (ACT), and the Land Titles Act 1925 (ACT) relating to housing and consumer affairs.
Partially commenced on 10 January 2025, this Amendment Act amends various laws relating to superannuation, taxation, corporations, financial services, and multilateral development banks to deliver better financial outcomes and reduce red tape across several areas of financial regulation.
Fully commenced on 11 January 2025, this Amendment Act amends the Environment Protection Act 1997 (ACT), the Environment Protection Regulation 2005 (ACT), and the Water Resources Act 2007 (ACT).
Commenced on 25 October 2024, this Amendment Ac amends several instruments to update resource consent applications, management of significant natural areas, stock exclusion, and intensive winter grazing practices.
Fully commenced on 27 October 2022, this Amendment Act amends the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (NZ), the Financial Reporting Act 2013 (NZ), and the Public Audit Act 2001 (NZ) to introduce mandatory climate-related disclosures for certain entities.
Commenced on 1 November 2024, the Amendment Regulations amend the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Regulations 2004 (NZ) to provide specific exemptions for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) contracts from certain consumer credit contract requirements. These exemptions recognise the unique business model of BNPL providers who do not charge interest and only charge fees when payments are not made on time.
Commenced on 26 November 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Climate Change Response Act 2002 (NZ) to remove agricultural sector obligations from New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme.
Commenced on 26 November 2024, this Amendment Act amends the Building Act 2004 (NZ) to extend deadlines for earthquake-prone building remediation and strengthen the building warrant of fitness scheme.
Commenced on 30 November 2024, this Notice provides exemptions from climate-related disclosure obligations under Part 7A of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (NZ) for certain climate reporting entities that are in liquidation, wind-up, or external administration.
Commenced on 1 December 2024, this Notice has been made to exempt directors and senior managers from certain disclosure requirements where the disclosure would either duplicate overseas market requirements or relate to index-tracking funds with minimal insider trading risk, and continues exemptions previously granted under the Financial Markets Conduct (Disclosure of Relevant Interests by Directors and Senior Managers) Exemption Notice 2019 (NZ) and aims to reduce unnecessary compliance costs while maintaining market transparency.
Commenced on 31 December 2024, this Amendment Notice amends the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Class Exemptions) Notice 2018 (NZ) to extend existing class exemptions and make changes regarding money or value transfer services.
Commenced on 1 January 2025, the Amendment Regulations amend the Climate Change (Unit Register) Regulations 2008 (NZ) to clarify references to the unit register and restrict certain activities for those who do not meet all criteria to be a qualified person.
Commenced on 16 January 2025, the Amendment Regulations amends the Taxation (Use of Money Interest Rates) Regulations 1998 (NZ) to adjust the interest rates applicable to unpaid and overpaid tax amounts.
Partially commenced on 30 January 2025, this Amendment Act amends the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (NZ) to enhance tenant protections, modernise tenancy processes, and introduce new provisions for pet ownership in rental properties.
New content has been added to the Home Guarantee Scheme under the Housing Australia Act 2018 (Cth) and the NHFIC Home Guarantee Scheme Rules.
New content has been added to cover Victorian critical infrastructure obligations under the Emergency Services Act (Vic) and the Emergency Management (Critical Infrastructure Resilience) Regulations 2015 (Vic).
New content has been added to cover radioactive materials, including radiation protection, monitoring requirements, control and limitation of exposure, and reporting and record-keeping requirements.
New content has been added to cover critical business systems, information security, and business continuity plans under Chapter 8B of the ASIC Market Integrity Rules (Securities Markets) 2017 (Cth).
New content was added to cover the requirements under the Social Services Regulation 2021 (Vic).
Content updates were made to cover the Tasmanian Premium Player Code of Practice and to provide more granular coverage of the Responsible Gambling Code of Practice.
New content was added to cover the requirements imposed under FSC Standard No. 29: Fraud and Scam Mitigation Measures for Superannuation Funds.
New content was added on relief for operators of investor-directed portfolio services from certain requirements under the corporations legislation, and relief for responsible entities of IDPS-like schemes from certain requirements under the corporations legislation.
New content was added on security licensing requirements across Australian jurisdictions under the Security topic.
New content has been added to cover accountability, transparency, proper use of Commonwealth funding, and adherence to the fit and proper person rule.
New content was added to cover the Code of Operation: Recovery of Debts from Customer Nominated Bank Accounts in receipt of Services Australia income support payments or Department of Veterans Affairs’ payments.
The topics "Risk Identification" (renamed to "Key Bribery Offences"), "Duties of Directors and Other Officers", "Reporting and Record Keeping" and "The Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme" have been wholly updated to expand content and localise parts of the ABC module to the Australian jurisdiction.
New content was added to provide more granular coverage of a tertiary education provider's requirements with respect to Training and assessment compliance under a VET funding contract.
New content was added to capture the latest requirements for the handling of public records as set out in the PROV Standards.
New content was added on guardianship and administration orders (in all jurisdictions).
New content was added to cover prudential standard HPS 340 requirements and reporting standard HRS 605 requirements.
New content was added to capture compliance obligations under the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld).
New content was added to cover notification requirements under section 12F of the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (Cth).
New content was added for Home Care and Residential Care sub-modules on the upcoming Worker Screening requirements.
New content was added on the Scam-Safe Accord to provide more granular coverage of the requirements for compliance.
New content was added to cover an organisation's requriements where a customer is subject to a guardianship or administration order, or where a power of attorney is in place.
New content was added to cover an organisation's requirements under the Census and Statistics Act 1905 (Cth).
New content added to capture the requirements relating to managing public interest disclosures.
New content added to capture requirements relating to preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment.
AML-CFT is a topic that continues to dominate the news headlines across the world. Penalties for non-compliance continue to escalate, the AML legal landscape constantly changes, and the need to comply with AML-CFT regulations is more important than ever before.
This complimentary International AML-CFT compliance checklist helps you to identify your international AML-CFT requirements. It covers AML-CFT Governance, Registration with AML-CFT Authorities, Due Diligence, Suspicious Matter & Reporting, and more.
This sanctions checklist has been developed in conjunction with Andrew Ham, Principal at Hunt & Hunt Lawyers and Legal Expert for LexisNexis Regulatory Compliance.
The contents of this checklist is taken from the LexisNexis Regulatory Compliance Sanctions module. This checklist has been designed so you can identify sanctions requirements that are related to your organisation.
European Union Artificial Intelligence Systems Checklist
As organizations increasingly adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to drive innovation and efficiency, they face the challenge of ensuring these powerful technologies are developed, deployed, and used responsibly, while navigating the complex regulatory landscape.
New Zealand has implemented the Artificial Intelligence Assurance Framework (AIAF) to ensure that AI systems are safe, ethical, and trustworthy, while the European Union (EU) has taken a proactive stance in regulating AI systems through the Artificial Intelligence Act 2024 and other relevant legislation. But how does this impact your organisation?
We have developed this checklist, with content taken from the EU Artificial Intelligence Systems compliance register, to help you decode the intricacies of the AI regulatory landscape for the EU. Citing the EU Artificial Intelligence Act 2024 (2024/1689/EU) and other frameworks and relevant legislation, such as the Cybersecurity Act 2019, Digital Services Act 2022, Digital Operations Resilience Act (DORA) 2022, bringing you a comprehensive tool to keep you on a clear path to compliance.
About the EU Artificial Intelligence Systems Compliance Register
The EU Artificial Intelligence Systems compliance register addresses requirements for developers, deployers, users, and importers of AI systems. It provides the unique obligations imposed on financial entities, along with practical guidance to ensure compliance with the EU's AI regulatory framework and the digital operational resilience framework, enabling stronger risk management related to ICT incidents, breaches or lapses in AI systems.
Facilities Management Checklist
New Zealand can be a volatile environment, which is why we have developed our latest checklist, with content taken from our New Zealand Facilities Management compliance register, to help you navigate the complexities facing our building management safety protocols.
It covers all pertinent regulatory requirements from WorkSafe New Zealand, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
About the New Zealand Facilities Management Compliance Register
The New Zealand Facilities Management compliance register is a comprehensive resource covering legislative requirements, encompassing workplace health and safety, environmental protection, energy efficiency, hazardous substance management, fire safety, and emergency preparedness. Designed for organizations managing diverse facilities, this new register from LexisNexis Regulatory Compliance equips you with the knowledge and tools to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and safeguard your operations.
Ben Tallboys - Principal, Russell Kennedy
Introducing our Legal Expert for the new NSW Non-Government Schools compliance register: Ben Tallboys | Principal | Russell Kennedy
Ben provides workplace relations, employment and governance advice to schools, councils, health and aged care organisations, and other corporate and not-for-profit organisations across Australia. Ben works tirelessly to help his clients achieve their desired outcomes, and manage financial, legal and reputational risk when dealing with legal issues and crises. Ben seeks to avoid disputes where possible, but is also a forceful and fearless advocate when required.