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It’s the same old story: new year, new fees. As the clock strikes midnight on Wednesday, indexation and rule changes mean costs go up.
But it’s not all bad news: there are savings to be found. At the federal level, increases in social security payments and the expansion of childcare subsidies are among them. (That list can be found here.) At the state level, an extension of the $60 toll cap is the main source of relief, but there are also new rules for developers, councillors and state government agencies.
New year, new toll road prices.Credit: Rhett Wyman
Toll adjustments
The maximum toll for passenger vehicles on NorthConnex will rise to $10.39, while the cost to use the Westlink M7 will be $10.30. The Hills M2 will jump to a maximum of $10.40 per trip, and the Eastern Distributor will hit $10.26 for all journeys.
The Cross City Tunnel will increase to $7.27, while the M5 South-West will increase to $5.95 per trip. The flat price for use of the Lane Cove Tunnel and the Military Road E-Ramp will increase to $4.22 and $2.11, respectively.
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Ordinary WestConnex users could be paying up to $10.79 to use the M4 section, with increases to the M8 and M5 East bringing the toll to a maximum price of $9.15 per trip. The M4-M8 Link, including the Rozelle interchange, has seen an increase in maximum price to $6.48 per trip.
All heavy vehicle users will also see increases across the board in line with indexation.
It’s not all bad news: the $60 toll cap has been extended indefinitely beyond January 1.
Gas in new residential developments
City of Sydney Council is banning indoor gas appliances in new residential developments from Thursday. The new restrictions will only affect new residential constructions, with existing buildings and industrial uses exempt.
Restrictions on new gas appliances come into effect on Thursday, and will expand in 2027. Credit: Adobe Stock
These restrictions will expand in 2027 to include outdoor appliances and all new large commercial buildings, hotels and serviced apartments.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore explained the changes as rooted in gas reliance being “bad for the planet, bad for our finances and bad for our health.”
“Creating more energy-efficient, healthier buildings which will meet future energy standards and avoid expensive retrofitting is an obvious next step,” Moore said.
Apprenticeships
New apprentices beginning training in jobs listed under the Australian Apprenticeship Priority Scheme will have their maximum payment halved from $5000 to $2500.
The Priority Hiring incentive, paid in two instalments across the first year of an apprenticeship, is also halving to $2500. Existing apprenticeships will not be affected.
Apprentices in Key Apprenticeship Program occupations, namely those entering the clean energy and housing construction sectors, are exempt and will continue to receive up to $10,000 across a full-time apprenticeship.
New rules for councillors
New local council codes of meeting practice will come into effect across NSW on Thursday. The new codes of practice must incorporate mandatory provisions of the 2025 Model Meeting Code.
Seven mandated principles encapsulate the new code. Council meetings going forward must be transparent, informed, inclusive, principled, trusted, effective and orderly.
Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said in August 2025 that the new code would simplify the way meetings were conducted, “ensure disorder is dealt with more effectively, that councillors make decisions in full view of the communities they represent, and dignity is returned to council chambers”.
Modern slavery in NSW government tenders
New “heightened due diligence tender clauses for high modern slavery risk procurements” for NSW government agencies will come into effect on Thursday.
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This means that NSW government agencies must include a clause defining modern slavery and mandating that all parties to a tender take “reasonable steps” to “prevent, identify, mitigate and remedy modern slavery” in the procurement chain both within Australia and internationally.
Compliance is optional until July 1, when the inclusion of the clause will become mandatory.
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