THE start of the new financial year today means Redland ratepayers and taxpayers can expect hikes to a range of local, state and federal fees and charges.
It is also the first day Queensland's First Home Owner's Grant jumps from $15,000 to $20,000
In Redland, car registration, healthcare costs, family payments, stamp duty, wages and power prices all go up today.
Along with new liquor lockout laws, which came into effect at 3am today, there are also a range of regulations and fees that come into effect on July 1.
Today, the electricity market in south-east Queensland is deregulated, ready for the merger of Energex and Ergon. However, most Redland power users are yet to find out what percentage their power bills will rise.
As of today, for those travelling into and out of Brisbane, the toll on the Gateway (Sir Leo Hielscher bridges) at the Murarrie point will increase 7c for privately registered cars to $4.39.
First home buyers in Redland will be able to access a $20,000 state grant from today.
The Great Start Grant increases from $15,000 and is for buyers of their first newly constructed property under $750,000.
Drivers licence and vehicle registration fees rise across the country, generally by about 1.9per cent, in line with inflation.
In Queensland, a five-year license will go up by $5.60 from $159.40 to $165.
At the federal level from today, if you are part of a couple and your youngest child is 13 years of age or over, you will no longer be paid the Family Tax Benefit Part B.
The change brings the age cut-off for the youngest child down from 18 years and limits the maximum payment to $4400 a year.
Single parents, grandparents or great grandparent carers will not be affected by the changes, however grandparents and great grandparents had to register before today.
As of today, the country's minimum wage goes up 2.4 per cent or by $15.80 a week after the Fair Work Commission handed down its annual minimum wage decision on May 31. Those on the minimum wage will be paid $672.70 per week or $17.70 per hour.
Following the Fair Work Commission's review, the income threshold for employees covered by unfair dismissal laws will also go up.
Employees earning up to $138,900 will be covered by unfair dismissal, up from the previous $136,700 threshold.
Laboratory fees for blood tests and other patholody results will not go up today after the federal government reached an agreement with the country's two biggest pathology companies in May.
However, the Medicare rebate will remain frozen which could mean fewer docters will be prepared to bulk bill.
Companies with an annual turnover of less than $2 million are expecting a tax cut from 28.5per cent to 27.5 per cent, depending when the legislation is passed.
Employers with fewer than 19 employees will have to pay super contributions electronically.
New labels showing where food is manufactured, produced and grown will start appearing on packages.
For farmers, the maximum level of farm management deposit (FMD) each primary producer can hold will rise from $400,000 to $800,000.
Primary producers affected by drought will also be able to withdraw FMDs without losing claimed tax benefits.
