Instant Asset Write-Off
No extension to the $20,000 instant asset write-off for small businesses from 2025-26 which is a big loss for small business.
Apprenticeships
Employers of apprentices in priority occupations may be eligible for up to $5,000 as a Priority Hiring Incentive. These current settings for the Priority Hiring Incentive have been extended for an additional 6 months to 31 December 2025.
Energy Efficiency Grants
The Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises program is set to be extended, providing grants of up to $25,000 to support businesses upgrade or replace inefficient equipment and implement other energy efficient activities, such as:
- upgrading or replacing inefficient technologies, such as changing existing display fridge cabinets with more efficient models or gas cookers with electric equivalents
- improving space and water heating systems
- conducting energy audits
- installing energy monitoring systems
Pubs and brewers will face lower taxes
The draught beer excise will stay at its current level for two years from August 2025, leaving pubs (or patrons) $10m better off in the coming year.
Alcohol makers will have further access to schemes offsetting their tax liabilities from July 2026, when the caps on excise remission claims and a winemaker rebate will rise from $350,000 to $400,000. Combined with the beer tax freeze, the industry will be $165m better off.
Non-compete clauses to be banned
The Government has announced that it will ban non-compete clauses for low and middle-income employees. Non‑compete clauses are conditions in employment contracts that prevent or restrict an employee from moving to a competitor.
This follows a recent review by Treasury that stated, “The direct consequence of a non-compete clause is that it hinders competition among businesses: it disincentivises workers from leaving their current job, creating a barrier to the entry of new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses.”
The Government is also set to make changes to competition law to prevent businesses from:
- Fixing wages by making anti‑competitive arrangements that cap workers’ pay and conditions, without the knowledge and agreement of affected workers.
- Using ‘no‑poach’ agreements to block staff from being hired by competitors.
