December 2025 Legislative Update: Key Changes Across VIC, QLD, NSW and Federal

The Last December update summarises the legislation and regulations flagged in our register for the month across Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and the Commonwealth.

While the underlying amendments and commencement dates vary by instrument, the December register shows recurring activity across justice and compliance, child safety and care, health and medicines, environmental controls, and building / plumbing.

At a glance

• Victoria (VIC) — 85 instruments. Common subject-area signals (based on instrument titles): Other (24), Justice & courts (19), Child & family (10). Notable items include Supreme Court (Chapter VI Unexplained Wealth Orders Amendment) Rules 2025, Crimes Amendment (Retail, Fast Food, Hospitality and Transport Worker Harm) Act 2025, Early Childhood Legislation Amendment (Child Safety) Act 2025.

• Queensland (QLD) — 58 instruments. Common subject-area signals (based on instrument titles): Other (15), Child & family (14), Environment & biosecurity (8). Notable items include Child Safe Organisations Regulation 2025, Education (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) Regulation 2025, Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Regulation 2025.

• New South Wales (NSW) — 4 instruments. Notable items include Firearms Act 1996, Gas Supply Act 1996, Registered Clubs Act 1976, Waste Management Act 2000.

• Commonwealth (Cth) — 16 instruments. Notable items include A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, Competition and Consumer Act 2010, Criminal Code Act 1995.

What this means for organisations

If any of the instruments below touch your operations (e.g., child-related services, workplace/contractor arrangements, regulated medicines/poisons, environmental approvals, building and plumbing, public safety / firearms / weapons, or consumer and taxation obligations), it’s worth:

• confirming commencement dates and any transitional arrangements,

• checking whether you have policies, procedures or training that need updating, and

• documenting decisions for audit and assurance purposes

Quick reference

The table below lists the legislation and subordinate instruments recorded for December, grouped by jurisdiction for quick scanning. To receive up to date legislation updates subscribe to Lahebo

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