Australian Regulatory Updates

The List of Exempt Native Specimens has been updated to add the Commonwealth Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery. Registered 8 October 2026.

The federal government has amended the List of Exempt Native Specimens Instrument 2001 to add provisions relating to Australia's High Seas Permits, commencing 8

A new customs instrument registered 8 October 2026 revokes an earlier airport notice for Western Sydney International Airport under the Customs Act 1901.

A boarding station notice at Western Sydney International Airport has been revoked and replaced under the Customs Act 1901, registered 8 October 2026.

ASIC Information Sheet 165 explains how legal professional privilege claims work when ASIC uses compulsory powers to demand documents or information.

A notice disqualifying Samiuela Okusitino under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 has been published by the Department of the Treasury.

The Department of Home Affairs declared the Port of Rockhampton a security regulated port on 8 October 2026, replacing the 2017 declaration.

The Part 42 Manual of Standards Amendment Instrument 2026 was registered on 8 October 2026. Read what is known and where to find the full details.

The Australian Electoral Commission has published a determination setting the names and boundaries of federal electoral divisions in the ACT, dated 8 October 20

The ATO has confirmed that time spent in Australia never counts as foreign service under section 23AG. The rule applies from the 2026-27 income year.

WorkSafe Victoria has charged a Melton man with eight criminal charges over alleged workers compensation and superannuation fraud totalling $251,001.

A formal disqualification notice has been issued against Jason Vi under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, effective 7 October 2026.

A formal disqualification notice dated 7 October 2026 prohibits Libby Ann Creagh from acting as a superannuation fund trustee or director under the SIS Act.

The ATO has finalised its update to TD 2012/8 on foreign service under section 23AG. Time spent in Australia cannot count as foreign service from 2026-27.

ATO Class Ruling CR 2026/73 confirms how income tax applies to termination payments from the Mechanical Electrical Redundancy Trust, covering the period 1 July

ATO Class Ruling CR 2026/74 confirms two Senetas Corporation return of capital payments are not dividends for income tax purposes. Details for shareholders.

ATO Class Ruling CR 2026/75 covers CGT treatment for Australian shareholders who exchanged African Gold Ltd shares for Montage Gold Corp shares on 29 April 2026

The ATO has updated TD 2012/8 to clarify which absences count as continuous foreign service under section 23AG of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.

A NSW demolition and recycling company was convicted and fined $187,500 after a fatal excavator incident on 31 May 2023 struck a light pole, killing a labourer.

The Federal Register of Legislation has published a Notice of Disqualification against Jennifer Reilly, dated 7 October 2026. Full details at legislation.gov.au