What’s Changing in Australian Law in 2026. And Why It’s Worth Paying Attention Now
A few legal changes are already shaping how 2026 will look for businesses and employers in NSW.
None of these shifts are designed to overwhelm. But taken together, they signal a clear direction. More scrutiny. Tighter compliance. Less room for things being done “the way they always have been”.
You don’t need to act on everything at once. But understanding what’s changing early can make the year a lot easier.
Here are the key areas we’re watching.
Business and commercial changes
From 1 January 2026, new ACCC merger notification rules apply. More transactions now need to be reported before they go ahead, and the review process has changed.
For businesses planning acquisitions, restructures, or growth through deals, this affects timing and strategy. It’s not just large corporates. Mid-sized and growing businesses may also be caught by the new thresholds.
This is one of those changes that works best when factored in early, not at the last minute.
Privacy and data obligations
Privacy law reform continues to move forward, with stronger obligations expected to roll out later in 2026.
For many businesses, this will mean:
reviewing privacy policies
being clearer about how personal data is used
understanding automated decision making in hiring, marketing, or customer systems
If your business collects customer or employee data, this is not just a legal box to tick. It’s becoming part of everyday business hygiene.
Employment and payroll changes
Payday Super is coming from 1 July 2026. Employers will need to pay super at the same time as wages, rather than quarterly.
This is more than an administrative tweak. It affects cash flow, payroll systems, and how employment costs are managed week to week.
Businesses that rely on quarterly buffers will feel this change the most.
NSW contractor risk
In NSW, contractor arrangements continue to attract close attention from Revenue NSW.
Many businesses assume contractors are exempt from payroll tax. Often, they are not.
What matters is how the work actually operates. Control, exclusivity, delegation, and integration into the business all play a role.
These are employment-style questions, even though the issue shows up as a tax risk.
This is an area where assumptions regularly lead to unexpected assessments.
Intellectual property updates
Trade mark regulation changes that took effect in late 2025 affect filing timeframes and opposition processes.
For businesses building or expanding a brand, this can influence launch timing, enforcement strategy, and how long protection takes to secure.
It’s a quieter change, but one that matters if IP is part of your growth plan.
What this means for 2026
You don’t need to become an expert in all of this but 2026 is shaping up to be a year where:
systems matter more
documentation matters more
early decisions carry more weight
Businesses that pause now to understand where they might be exposed usually save themselves time, cost, and stress later.
If one of these areas touches your business or workforce, it might be worth a conversation.
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