Federal changes in new year

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHANGES IN 2015:

HITS TO HIP POCKET

* Untaxed superannuation included in assessment of income for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

* Disability Support Pension applicants must be assessed by government-approved doctor

* Reduced amount of time DSP recipients can go overseas without losing payments, to four weeks in a year

* Limited reasons why students on welfare can travel overseas without losing payments

* No more relocation scholarships to students who move between major cities for university

* End to indexation of clean energy supplement welfare recipients got to help with costs of carbon tax

* Applicants for Newstart, sickness, widow or youth allowances, or parenting payments have to wait a week before receiving payments

* Suspended payments to Newstart recipients who miss appointment with employment service provider without a good reason until they attend rescheduled appointment

* Fee for Partner Visas in permanent family migration scheme jumps 50 per cent

* Means-testing applied to schoolkids bonus - only families on $100,000 or less get payment

NEW GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS AND SCHEMES

* $406 million to states to extend the universal access to preschool for an extra year

* Free flu vaccinations for indigenous kids aged between six months and five years

* 150 bursaries for young carers to help them continue studies by relieving pressure to take up part-time work - worth up to $10,000 each

* Funding for an extra 300 GP training places each year

* $476 million industry skills fund to support training needs of small- and medium-sized businesses

* New industry counsellor in New Delhi, India, to promote strategic co-operation, trade and investment

WHAT ELSE CHANGES?

* Revised World Anti-Doping Code takes effect

* Lease of ACV Triton (which patrols for asylum seeker boats) extended to end of June

* $8.1 million for more anti-people smuggling ads

* Changes to rules on how migrants must show English proficiency

* Royal commission into trade unions starts extra 12 months

* Quarantine laws updates

* New rules protecting Asian Cup mascot Nutmeg the Wombat and restrict use of words related to the soccer competition

* New safety standard for installing curtains with cords in caravans, motor homes and boats