Month: August 2025

Source: Mental Health Australia

Road users are advised of changed overnight traffic conditions from Sunday 17 August 2025 on High Street and Worth Street, Penrith for road work. 

The work involves installing new arrows on the existing traffic light poles to allow pedestrians to more safely cross the intersection while holding motorists on red arrows and updating the pedestrian crossing line marking at the intersection. 

Additional work includes installing new traffic light infrastructure, including traffic light cabling, within the footpath and road area.

Work will be completed between Sunday 17 August and Thursday 2 October 2025, weather permitting.

We will be on site for up to eight shifts in total, weather permitting. 

We will work between Sunday to Thursday between the hours of 8pm and 5am, the next day. We will not work on Friday nights and Saturdays.

There will be temporary traffic changes to make sure the work zone is safe. Lane closures and a 40km/h speed limit will be in place for the safety of our workers and motorists. 

Temporary traffic lights will also be used, at times, while we install the new arrows. Traffic controllers will be on site to assist motorists and pedestrians. 

For the latest traffic updates across the network download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation to establish a voluntary, industry-led scheme to collect and recycle soft plastic packaging from consumers.

The scheme will be run by Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA) and aims to increase the collection and recycling of soft plastic packaging from consumers, such as shopping bags and food wrappers. Initial members of the scheme are Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Nestlé, Mars and McCormick Foods.

“It is clear that many Australians are concerned about the environmental impacts of soft plastic packaging and want to recycle it,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

The ACCC has previously authorised the major supermarkets to engage in conduct as part of the Soft Plastics Taskforce to process the stockpile left over from REDcycle and to restart instore collection pilots until July 2026.

“We believe the proposed scheme will result in an environmental benefit as it aims to take over and expand the current in-store collection and kerbside pilots for recycling soft plastic packaging, meaning some soft plastics are likely to be diverted from landfill,” Mr Keogh said.

“While we know that soft plastic recycling has faced many challenges in Australia, we consider that the SPSA scheme is an important stepping stone to expanding collections and recycling.”

The ACCC considers that these public environmental benefits outweigh any potential detriment to competition that results from the collaboration through SPSA’s scheme.

The ACCC is proposing to grant authorisation for eight years and to include a reporting condition to ensure transparency of the performance of the scheme. An additional condition is proposed to ensure that there is no exclusive contracts with processors.

The ACCC has also granted interim authorisation to SPSA to allow it to engage in part of the conduct now including the sharing of operational information and data to allow for existing arrangements of the Soft Plastics Taskforce to be transferred to SPSA.

Submissions on the ACCC’s draft determination are due by 25 August 2025.

Note to editors

The ACCC is not an environmental regulator. The ACCC’s role as Australia’s competition regulator includes assessing applications for authorisation. ACCC authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for certain conduct by competitors that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act.

In this instance, authorisation is proposed in respect of Division 1 of Part IV and sections 45 and 47 of the Act.

Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment.

Background

According to data published by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), between 2022 and 2023, more than 540,000 tonnes of soft plastic packaging was used by manufacturers in packaging their products, however only 6 per cent of this soft plastic was recovered.

The soft plastic packaging comprised both business-to-consumer and business-to-business packaging (such as wrapping goods on pallets). It is estimated that 70% of soft plastic packaging is business-to-consumer.

The SPSA scheme is proposed to be funded through a levy on scheme participants based on the amount of business to consumer soft plastic packaging they place on the market, meaning the first occasion on which soft plastic packaging is supplied.

For example, when a manufacturer sells its product to a supermarket, the manufacturer will have placed the soft plastic on the market, or where a supermarket sells its ‘own brand’ products in its stores.

Scheme participants may decide to pass on the cost of the levy through the supply chain, including to consumers.

The ACCC has previously authorised Aldi, Coles and Woolworths to work together to remediate the stockpile of soft plastics following the collapse of REDcycle soft plastics recycling program.

The Australian Government, including the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, is working to reform Australia’s packaging regulations to minimise packaging waste and pollution and build a circular economy for packaging. This reform is separate to this scheme.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested an 18-year-old man in relation to drug driving offences in Palmerston overnight.

Around 9:15pm, Darwin Traffic Unit members observed a grey Ford Falcon travelling along Elrundie Avenue towards Durack at approximately 98km/hr in an 80km/hr zone.

The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated.

A short time later, the Falcon attempted to pass a Blue Suzuki Balino on Elrundie Avenue, in the vicinity of Driver Avenue, however collided with the rear left of the vehicle causing significant damage.

The driver of the Suzuki did not receive any injuries.

The offending vehicle continued on for a short distance before stopping on Elrundie near the Kirkland Road roundabout, where the driver was apprehended and tested positive for cannabis.

He was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for assessment and has since been charged with:

• Drive vehicle in a dangerous manner
• Drive with Prohibited drug in body
• Drive a motor vehicle while suspended
• Overtake incorrectly – unsafe to do so
• Not stop after crash
• Drive unregistered motor vehicle
• Drive uninsured motor vehicle
• Drive unregistered motor vehicle plates to deceive
• Possess schedule 2 less then trafficable drug
• Possess thing to administer drug

He was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.

Commander David Moore said “ It is incredibly lucky that not only the offending driver and victim weren’t injured, but neither were the attending police.

“ Driving is a privilege, not a right, and this young man will now face court for his actions.”

Source: Mental Health Australia

Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions on the M7 Motorway in Rooty Hill and Eastern Creek between 8pm Friday 22 August and 10pm Sunday 24 August 2025.

There will be temporary southbound right lane closures along the M7 Motorway near the following locations for the M7 Motorway bridge concrete pour activities: 

Location	Closure Type
Rooty Hill Railway Bridge, Rooty Hill	Southbound right lane closure
Great Western Highway Bridge, Eastern Creek	Southbound right lane closure

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in their permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

Please keep to the speed limits and follow the direction of traffic controllers and signs.

Transport for NSW thanks road users for their patience during this time.

For the latest traffic updates across the network download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

这些信息将帮助你计算出你是否需要填写 Taxable payments annual report（TPAR，应纳税额年度报告）。

如果你的企业提供清洁服务，你可能需要填写一份TPAR并发送给我们。这被称作是提交 TPAR。

如何使用本文件

这些信息是用通俗易懂的文字呈现的。

本文件由澳大利亚税务局（ATO）编写。

当你看到“我们”、“我们的”或“我们”这些词时，它即指代 ATO。

这份比较容易阅读的文件是一份关于清洁服务的较长文件（英文）的摘要。

什么是 TPAR？

一个 TPAR 就是一个 Taxable payments annual report（应纳税额年度报告）。

这是一份关于企业向为其提供服务的承包商或分包商付款的报告。

每年的TPAR必须在8月28日前提交。

为什么这些 TPAR 很重要？

在 TPAR 中报告的付款有助于我们确保承包商支付正确的税额。

我们的政府用税款来支付各种服务，例如：

• 医院和学校
• 公共交通和道路
• 失业津贴和养老金。

我们如何使用一个 TPAR 中的信息？

我们使用这些 TPAR 中的信息，将收入信息放入承包商的在线报税中。

我们也用它来帮助承包商确定他们是否：

• 把他们所有的收入都写进他们的报税表
• 递交了所有需要纳税的申报单或活动报表
• 需要注册商品和服务税（GST）
• 在他们的账单上填写正确的澳大利亚商业号码（ABN）。

你是否需要提交 TPAR？

如果你的生意符合这3条规则，你将需要提交 TPAR。你的生意：

• 为其他人或企业提供清洁服务
• 付钱给承包商，让他们代替你提供这些清洁服务。这意味着承包商为你的生意提供清洁服务。
• 有一个 ABN。

如果清洁服务只是你业务的一部分，你可能仍然需要提交 TPAR。

你需要计算出你的生意收入中有多少是来自清洁服务。

将你的生意在财政年度因提供清洁服务而获得的所有款项加起来。财政年度为每年7月1日至次年6月30日。

包括为雇员和承包商所提供服务支付的款项。

计算出你这一年的商业收入总额。

如果你的生意符合这2条规则，你将需要提交 TPAR：

• 你的总业务收入的10%或以上是用于提供清洁服务。
• 你付钱给承包商，让他们提供清洁服务。

我们有一些例子来帮助你算出你是否需要提交（英文）。

什么是清洁服务？

清洁服务的例子可以包括清洁：

• 建筑物的内部和外部（喷砂除外）
• 机动车和其他车辆（如火车、飞机、船只）的内部和外部
• 地毯、烟囱、水槽
• 工业机械和设备
• 道路和街道清扫
• 游泳池和水疗中心
• 公园，包括操场设备和公共厕所。

清洁服务可以在以下地点进行:

• 家中
• 其他建筑
• 公共场所
• 活动（如体育比赛、音乐会、展览）。

如果你不确定你的企业是否在提供清洁服务，请阅读需要帮助（英文）部分。

在你的 TPAR 中报告付款情况

你需要报告你为清洁服务承包商支付的账单信息。

账单包括：

• 于7月1日至6月30日期间支付的
• 包括人工和材料。

不要包括只有材料的账单。

不要记录对员工的付款情况。

关于你需要报告的付款信息的完整清单，请参阅你需要报告的付款和细节（英文） 。

使用我们的在线工具，查看某人是雇员还是承包商（英文）。

在你的 TPAR 中要报告哪些信息？

你需要的信息应该在你的承包商给你的账单上。

对于每个承包商，你需要报告的是：

• ABN
• 名称（企业名称或个人名称）
• 地址
• 电话号码
• 电子邮件地址
• 银行账户
• 年内所有发票的总金额
• 本年度所有发票中的 GST 总额。

如果承包商没有ABN，你也需要报告你从他们那里扣留并支付给ATO的税款。

妥善保留记录

如果你妥善保留记录，将更容易提交你的 TPAR。

你应该始终记录你对承包商的付款。

对于你支付的每个承包商，要记录他们的：

• 姓名
• ABN
• 地址
• 电话号码。

对于你向承包商支付的每一笔款项，需要记录：

• 日期
• 账单号码
• 他们提供的材料或服务的具体内容
• 如果他们没有提供他们的ABN给你，你所持有的税款
• 支付给他们的GST数额
• 支付给他们的总金额。这包括 GST。

查找 ABN

当你收到新承包商的第一张账单时，使用查找ABN LookupExternal Link（英文）以确保信息正确。

每次你收到承包商的新账单时，要检查 ABN 是否与你的记录相同。

如果不一样，请使用查找ABN LookupExternal Link（英文）来检查新的 ABN。如果与承包商不一致，请致电给他们，看看是否出现错误。

如何提交一个 TPAR

有几种方法可以让你提交 TPAR：

你也可以找一个税务或 BAS 代理来提交你的 TPAR。你需要确保他们是一个注册的代理（英文）。

企业软件

检查你的企业软件是否可以在线准备和提交 TPAR。

该软件可能会有以下功能：

• 直接向我们提交一份 TPAR ，或
• 为你准备一份文件。你使用Online services for business 中的文件传输功能将此文件借给我们。

你可以向你的软件供应商了解更多信息。

Online services for business

你可以使用Online services for business 来提交你的 TPAR。

要使用在线服务的业务，你需要一个 myID 的身份。

了解如何设置你的myID并将其链接到你的业务（英文）。

登录 Online services for business。从菜单中选择提交，然后选择应纳税额年报。

ATO online services

独资企业可以使用通过myGov的ATO online services（英文）来提交他们的 TPAR。

要使用ATO online services，您将需要一个与ATO相连的myGov账户。

了解如何设置myGov账户并将其与ATO链接（英文）。

登录 ATO online services。从菜单中选择税收，然后选择提交，然后选择 应纳税额年报。

纸质表格

如果你不能在线提交，必须使用我们的纸质表格。

你不能从我们的网站上下载表格。你必须向我们领取。

你可以在表格中最多录入9 个承包商的信息。如果你支付了更多的承包商，你需要领取更多的表格。

你不能复印表格，因为我们将无法处理这些表格。

你可以：

• 使用我们的在线印刷文件领取服务（英文）。在搜索栏输入 NAT 74109。
• 致电我们的印刷文件领取服务电话 1300 720 092。

需要帮助？

如果你需要帮助，你可以使用这些资源：

• 阅读清洁服务相关的较长文件 (英文)
• 在ATO讨论区（英文）提出问题或寻找答案。了解ATO讨论区如何运作（英文）。

与我们联系

你可以致电我们 13 28 66。

如果想用英文以外的语言与我们交谈，请拨打 13 14 50 通过翻译及口译服务处（TIS）致电我们。告诉他们：

• 你想与我们联系
• 你想使用的语音。

听力或语言障碍者可以通过全国中继服务（NRS）与我们联系。你需要：

Source: New South Wales – News

On Sunday 10 August, members of the SA JACET, a joint task force between SAPOL and the AFP, attended at an address in the southern suburbs.

At the home, investigators arrested a 31-year-old man for knowingly be in possession of a substantial amount of child exploitation material. Investigators searched the premises and seized mobile phones and other electronic devices.

Digital Evidence Specialists attended and conducted preliminary forensic analysis locating the child exploitation material. More extensive reviews of the electronic data will occur in the fullness of time with the possibility of further offences being identified.

The man was refused police bail and is expected to appear before the Christies Beach Magistrate Court, Monday 11 August 2025.

Detective Chief Inspector George Fenwick, Officer in Charge Special Crimes Investigation Section said, “Child exploitation material is not just images on a screen. Every image, every second of a video has a real child being abused and being subjected to a situation that no child should ever experience”.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child exploitation material are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au on 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous.

CO2500032784

Source: Mental Health Australia

Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions between Jeanette Street and Blaikie Road for essential utility and road surfacing work.

The eastbound on ramp from Mulgoa Road to the M4 travelling towards the city will be closed on 11, 12, 14, 18 and 19 August between 8pm and 5am, except on Thursday when the closure will take place between 9pm and 5am. 

Please detour via The Northern Road or use the M4 westbound entry ramp to travel to Russell Street and access the ramp to the M4 travelling towards the city. 

Traffic control will help road users and pedestrians through the work area if required.

We thank you for your patience during this time.

For the latest traffic updates across the network download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

We are making the required system updates so we can deliver these changes for study loan holders, which means they won’t happen straight away.

If you have clients with study loans, there are a few things you need to be aware of and actions you may need to take. The most significant change is the 20% debt reduction, which applies to all study and training loans that existed on 1 June 2025. We will backdate this reduction to their loan debt on 1 June 2025; the 2025 indexation is then adjusted to the lower loan amount.

We will notify your clients when we have applied the reduction to their study loan account.

Lodge your clients’ tax returns as normal regardless of when the reduction is processed. Lodging a client’s tax return won’t change the reduction amount applied to their study loan debt.

Because of the gap from 1 June 2025 to when the reduction is applied, some of your clients may have paid off some, or all, of their loans. If they have a credit after the 20% reduction, they may get a refund if they don’t have outstanding tax or other government debts. We won’t know who gets a refund until the reductions are processed.

Refunds will be sent to the bank account details we have for your client, which could be your trust account. Before the 20% reduction is applied, ask your clients to check and, if necessary, update their financial institution account details. This will enable faster processing of refunds.

The minimum compulsory repayment threshold has increased to $67,000 in the 2025–26 income year. A new marginal repayment system is now in place, with repayments only required on repayment income above $67,000. These thresholds and amounts will be indexed each year.

We are advising Digital Services Providers of these changes so they can update their systems and advise employers in preparation for delivery. We will update the PAYG withholding schedules later in the year to reflect the changed compulsory repayment calculation.

If you have clients who make pay as you go (PAYG) instalments, the instalment rate and amount won’t be updated until the 2026–27 income year. Your clients may ask for advice about varying their instalments. It’s important their variation is within 85% of their total tax payable, as underestimating their instalment amount or rate could lead to a tax bill at the end of the year.

Familiarise yourself with the changes at Study and training loans – what’s new.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Apportioning interest expenses is required when:

• your clients co-own a property, unless a ‘separate legally enforceable written agreement’ is in place
• they increase their rental property mortgage for private purposes
• they use the property for private purposes
• the property is only rented out for part of the year.

Co-ownership

The level of ownership makes a difference to how much your clients can claim:

• joint tenants each hold an equal interest in the property
• tenants in common may hold unequal interests in the property, for example, one may hold a 20% interest and the other an 80% interest.

Separate legally enforceable written agreement 

For financial reasons, your client’s lender may require them to have another person named on their loan. If that person has no other association with the rental property, your client could make a separate legally enforceable written agreement witnessed by a justice of the peace.

The agreement could state your client is 100% liable for the loan repayments, interest and expenses.

Including private expenses in the loan

Interest paid on private expenses can’t be claimed as a tax deduction.

When your clients have a rental property loan, it’s important to check each year if they have:

• included private items in their rental property loan
• refinanced or drawn down on their rental property loan for private purposes.

As soon as your clients use their rental property loan for any other purpose, there’s an ongoing need to apportion interest for the life of the loan. You may want to suggest they have separate loans for their rental and their private purposes.

Private use of the property

Your clients can’t claim a deduction for interest expenses for periods the property is used for private purposes, even if it’s a short period of time. If your clients are only renting out part of their main residence, for example a single room, they must apportion the interest expense according to the time and space dedicated to income producing activities.

Part year

If your clients have sold their property part way through the year or have changed its purpose (i.e. moved into their rental property), interest on the mortgage must be apportioned according to the period the property was rented out. You can find more information to help discussions with your clients, including a video and fact sheet at Interest expenses on our website.

Source:

11 August 2025

Strict regulations on short term rental accommodation may not help improve housing supply or affordability and can actually hurt tourism, according to new research by the University of South Australia.

Short term rentals, such as those offered on online platforms like Airbnb, have become a popular alternative to traditional hotels, providing travellers with more affordable, unique and localised experiences. However, short term rentals are often blamed for driving up rents and making residential housing harder to find, leading many governments to introduce strict regulations to limit them.

UniSA tourism researchers have found evidence to suggest that simply cracking down on short term rentals might not be the key to South Australia’s housing crisis, and that the State Government should consider other solutions for the issue.

South Australia’s short term rental sector is currently under review. In March 2025, the SA Parliament established a select committee to investigate the short-term rental sector’s impact on housing affordability, community dynamics and potential regulatory measures. The committee’s findings are imminent.

“Our analysis shows that recent efforts to impose strict regulations or outright bans on short term rentals, including in one of the world’s most must-visit destinations – New York City – fail to have any meaningful impact on the housing market,” says lead researcher Professor Peter O’Connor.

“Data suggests that restrictions neither significantly increase the supply of long-term housing, nor reduce rental prices. Instead, in NYC specifically, (long term) rental prices have increased at a faster rate than comparable cities, and residential vacancy rates remain largely unchanged.

“NYC hotels have benefited from the ban, experienced high growth in occupancy and room rates compared to before regulations were introduced. Not only has this turned New York into a hyper expensive destination for travellers, but the knock-on multiplier effect to the local economy has plummeted due to both lower visitor numbers and more concentrated visitor spending. Hotels win out, at the expense of tourists and locals.

“Learning from this lesson, Australia should seriously consider alternative ways to address the housing crisis, rather than obsessively focusing on short term rentals.”

Short term rentals are defined as furnished apartments or houses rented for periods of less than a month, typically through online platforms such as Airbnb or Stayz. Owners might live on site at the same time as the renter, or they might live elsewhere. This alternative form of accommodation has emerged in recent years as an alternative, more authentic form of accommodation to traditional hotels, allowing travellers to ‘live like a local’, typically in a neighbourhood less frequented by tourists.

Co-author of the UniSA research, Dr Jessica Mei Pung, points out that short term rentals contribute to local economies through rental income and visitor spending. Beside benefiting from cultural exchanges with travelling guests, hosts earn additional income from the rental fees. Visitor spending also positively impacts restaurants, retail and attractions – all of which contribute to the destination and the wider economy.

“Regulating short term rentals allows governments to appear proactive on addressing the housing issue but the relative effectiveness of such restrictions is generally not considered.  If the aim is to increase the availability and affordability of residential property, the evidence clearly shows that restrictions and bans have limited, if any, demonstratable effect”.

Limitations for short term rentals are currently in place in parts of Australia including in NSW with a 180-day stay limit per year where the host isn’t present. Councils can implement lower limits, as has Byron Bay which has a 60-day cap. Western Australia, on the other hand, is offering a $10,000 financial incentive to owners of short term rentals to return them to the long-term rental market.  

Rather than introducing limitations, Prof O’Connor and Dr Pung say this approach may be more advisable if policymakers really want to address the housing issue, with a recent survey by Airbnb claiming that many hosts would rather let properties lie idle rather than rent them long-term.

Contact for interview: Peter O’Connor, Professor of Strategic Management, UniSA E: peter.oconnor@unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Melissa Keogh, Communications Officer, UniSA M: +61 403 659 154 E: melissa.keogh@unisa.edu.au