In the media
NSW law society calls for redesign of worker compensation reforms
The Law Society of New South Wales has said the state government's introduction of the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Bill 2025 is an effort to undermine democratic processes and bypass proper parliamentary and public scrutiny. In a media release, the law society said the second worker compensation reform bill's referral to two distinct inquiry processes, including the Public Accountability and Works Committee's ongoing inquiry, shows the planned changes' significance to the economy and injured workers and the necessity for scrutiny and consultation (10 August 2025). Read more here.
Minns Labor Government records $10 billion spend with small & medium businesses
Delivering on its commitment to support local jobs and businesses across the state, the Government spent $10.1 billion with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in financial year 2023-24, up from $8.7 billion in 2021-22. That's almost a quarter of the government's $42 billion spend on goods, services and construction. In 2023, the Minns Labor Government raised the threshold at which government agencies can directly procure goods or services from small and medium businesses from $150,000 to $250,000 (10 August 2025). Read more here.
Right to disconnect law to come into effect
From 26 August 2025, small business employees will have the right to disconnect from work outside of their usual work hours. This means they can refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact, or attempted contact, from their employer, outside of their working hours, unless that refusal is unreasonable. The right also applies to contact from third parties, such as clients, suppliers, other staff and members of the public (29 July 2025). Read more here.
New eviction laws criticised by renters' advocates
Five weeks after ending no-grounds evictions in New South Wales, the state government amended the Residential Tenancy Act 2010 to remove additional evidence requirements in evictions due to repairs or renovations. Over two dozen tenants' rights advocates, including Community Legal Centres NSW and the Aboriginal Legal Service, voiced their criticism of the decision (31 July 2025). Read more here.
New NSW freight strategy targets resilience and efficiency
The NSW Government has unveiled a refreshed National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy alongside a new National Action Plan, aiming to future-proof Australia's freight networks against growing challenges. Originally launched in 2019, the Strategy has been updated following a review that confirmed its core foundations remain strong but recommended a sharper focus on nationally significant actions. The refresh comes after years of unprecedented disruption, including COVID-19, labour shortages, extreme weather events and geopolitical tensions (25 August 2025). Read more here.
NSW government to complete Woollahra Station, rezone nearby land for new homes
An abandoned, partially-built train station in Sydney's eastern suburbs is set to be resurrected and surrounded by up to 10,000 new homes. The NSW government announced on Sunday it would finish building Woollahra Station and rezone land nearby for higher-density housing – nearly 50 years after another Labor government scrapped the station to save costs (24 August 2025). Read more here.
In practice and courts
Have your say – Draft resource recovery order and exemption for biosolids
The NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is updating the resource recovery order and exemption for the reuse of biosolids to ensure that land application is beneficial and poses minimal risk of harm to human health and the environment. The changes follow publication of the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan 3.0 (PFAS NEMP), feedback from previous consultation and the testing of biosolids at 75 sewage treatment plants by the EPA in 2023. The consultation period is open until 26 September 2025. Access the Draft here.
Publication
Quarterly Budget Review Statements Guidelines Reviewed
Office of Local Government (OLG) has revised the Quarterly Budget Review Statement (QBRS) Guidelines for Local Government following consultation with councils on the draft Guidelines in April 2025. The objective of the QBRS is to ensure councillors have effective oversight and are in control of the financial performance of their council. The QBRS reporting requirements in the guidelines are mandatory for all NSW councils, including the use of standardised QBRS templates and reporting at the fund level (12 August 2025). Access the Guidelines here.
Cases
Wojciechowska v Commissioner of Police, NSW Police Force [2025] NSWCATAD 204
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – administrative review – government information – information not held – reasonableness of searches – personal information – information about operations of agency – public interest considerations for disclosure of information – public interest considerations against disclosure of information – balance.
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – judicial power – administrative power – dispute between State and resident of another state – jurisdiction – whether Tribunal has power to determine whether it has jurisdiction.
Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 (NSW); Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW); Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW).
Kevin Watters v Independent Commission Against Corruption [2025] NSWSC 933
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review – Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) – decision to investigate matters – decision to hold public inquiry – adverse findings – no corrupt conduct – report to Parliament – publication of report – whether unlawful.
Crimes Act 1900 (NSW); Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 (NSW); Independent Commission Against Corruption Amendment (Validation) Act 2015 (NSW); Independent Commission Against Corruption Amendment Act 2015 (NSW); Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW).
Hussein v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2025] NSWCATAD 202
TAXES AND DUTIES – land tax – Principal place of residence (PPR) exemption – owner's PPR one of two freestanding houses on the land – larger house leased to tenants – whether the concession in cl 4 of Sch 1A of the Land Tax Management Act 1956 (NSW) (LTMA) applied to exempt the whole of the land from land tax – whether the concession in cl 10B of Sch 1A of the LTMA applied where no application made under s 9C of the LTMA.
Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 (NSW); Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW); Land Tax Management Act 1956 (NSW); Taxation Administration Act 1996 (NSW); Valuation of Land Act 1916 (NSW).
Grabovsky v Department of Communities and Justice [2025] NSWCATAP 192
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – particular administrative bodies – NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal – whether Tribunal has administrative review jurisdiction over certain social housing decisions.
APPEALS – jurisdiction of Appeal Panel of NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal – whether Appeal Panel has internal review jurisdiction over decisions of registrars concerning the issue of summonses – whether Appeal Panel can grant stays of decisions over which it does not have internal appeal jurisdiction.
Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 (NSW); Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW); Civil and Administrative Tribunal Rules 2014 (NSW); Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 (NSW); Guardianship Act 1987 (NSW); Housing Act 2001 (NSW); Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW); Legal Profession Uniform Conduct (Barristers) Rules 2015; Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014 (NSW); Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2015; Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW).
Legislation
Proclamations commencing Acts
Crimes Amendment (Inciting Racial Hatred) Act 2025 No 9 (2025-408) – published LW 15 August 2025
Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Act 2024 No 70 (2025-409) – published LW 15 August 2025
Institutions Legislation Amendment Act 2024 No 7 (2025-426) – published LW 22 August 2025
Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments
Co-operative Housing and Starr-Bowkett Societies Regulation 2025 (2025-390) – published LW 8 August 2025
Director of Public Prosecutions Regulation 2025 (2025-391) – published LW 8 August 2025
Electoral Amendment (Independent Candidate Logo) Regulation 2025 (2025-389) – published LW 6 August 2025
Mine and Petroleum Site Safety (Cost Recovery) Regulation 2025 (2025-392) – published LW 8 August 2025
NSW SES Order 2025/01 regarding volunteers taking part in emergency operations (2025-387) – published LW 4 August 2025 at 1:15pm
NSW SES Order 2025/02 regarding volunteers taking part in emergency operations (2025-388) – published LW 6 August 2025 at 1:10pm
Succession Regulation 2025 (2025-393) – published LW 8 August 2025
Summary Offences Regulation 2025 (2025-394) – published LW 8 August 2025
Trustee Regulation 2025 (2025-395) – published LW 8 August 2025
Uniform Civil Procedure (Amendment No 106) Rule 2025 (2025-407) – published LW 8 August 2025
Co-operatives (New South Wales) Regulation 2025 (2025-410) – published LW 15 August 2025
Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Regulation 2025 (2025-411) – published LW 15 August 2025
Industrial Relations Commission (Amendment No 1) Rules 2025 (2025-412) – published LW 15 August 2025
Police Amendment Regulation 2025 (2025-413) – published LW 15 August 2025
Registered Clubs Regulation 2025 (2025-414) – published LW 15 August 2025
Subordinate Legislation (Postponement of Repeal) Order 2025 (2025-415) – published LW 15 August 2025
Water Sharing Plan for the Belubula Regulated River Water Source 2025 (2025-416) – published LW 15 August 2025
Work Health and Safety Amendment (Silica Worker Register) Regulation 2025 (2025-417) – published LW 15 August 2025
Border Fence Maintenance Regulation 2025 (2025-427) – published LW 22 August 2025
Child Protection (Offenders Prohibition Orders) Regulation 2025 (2025-428) – published LW 22 August 2025
Food Regulation 2025 (2025-429) – published LW 22 August 2025
Health Practitioner Regulation (New South Wales) Regulation 2025 (2025-430) – published LW 22 August 2025
Law Enforcement (Controlled Operations) Regulation 2025 (2025-431) – published LW 22 August 2025
Mental Health Regulation 2025 (2025-432) – published LW 22 August 2025
NSW SES Order 2025/03 regarding volunteers taking part in emergency operations (2025-425) – published LW 20 August 2025 at 4:35pm
Property (Relationships) Regulation 2025 (2025-433) – published LW 22 August 2025
Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Amendment (Waste Facility Contributions) Regulation 2025 (2025-435) – published LW 22 August 2025
Retirement Villages Regulation 2025 (2025-436) – published LW 22 August 2025
Sydney Water Regulation 2025 (2025-437) – published LW 22 August 2025
Water Management (General) Regulation 2025 (2025-438) – published LW 22 August 2025
Water Management (Water Supply Authorities) Regulation 2025 (2025-439) – published LW 22 August 2025
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (2025-440) – published LW 22 August 2025
Environmental Planning Instruments
Blacktown Local Environmental Plan 2015 (Amendment No 35) (2025-396) – published LW 8 August 2025
Canterbury-Bankstown Local Environmental Plan 2023 (Amendment No 8) (2025-397) – published LW 8 August 2025
Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 (Amendment No 9) (2025-398) – published LW 8 August 2025
Cowra Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Map Amendment No 2) (2025-399) – published LW 8 August 2025
Goulburn Mulwaree Local Environmental Plan 2009 (Map Amendment No 15) (2025-400) – published LW 8 August 2025
Maitland Local Environmental Plan 2011 (Map Amendment No 8) (2025-401) – published LW 8 August 2025
Parkes Local Environmental Plan (Activation Precincts) 2025 (2025-402) – published LW 8 August 2025
State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) Amendment (Broadmeadow Precinct) 2025 (2025-403) – published LW 8 August 2025
State Environmental Planning Policy (Precincts—Regional) Amendment (Alpine Region Fire Safety) 2025 (2025-405) – published LW 8 August 2025
State Environmental Planning Policy (Precincts—Western Parkland City) Amendment (Emergency Facility) 2025 (2025-404) – published LW 8 August 2025
Warringah Local Environmental Plan 2011 (Amendment No 30) (2025-406) – published LW 8 August 2025
Berrigan Local Environmental Plan 2013 (Amendment No 5) (2025-418) – published LW 15 August 2025
Camden Local Environmental Plan Amendment (Precincts—Western Parkland City) 2025 (2025-419) – published LW 15 August 2025
Coffs Harbour Local Environmental Plan 2013 (Map Amendment No 18) (2025-420) – published LW 15 August 2025
Cumberland Local Environmental Plan 2021 (Amendment No 10) (2025-421) – published LW 15 August 2025
Mid-Western Regional Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Map Amendment No 17) (2025-422) – published LW 15 August 2025
State Environmental Planning Policy Amendment (Central Precinct) 2025 (2025-423) – published LW 15 August 2025
The Hills Local Environmental Plan 2019 (Map Amendment No 4) (2025-424) – published LW 15 August 2025
Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Amendment No 57) (2025-441) – published LW 22 August 2025
The Hills Local Environmental Plan 2019 (Amendment No 34) (2025-442) – published LW 22 August 2025
Willoughby Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Amendment No 40) (2025-434) – published LW 22 August 2025
Bills introduced – Government
Child Protection (Working with Children) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Crimes Amendment (Intimate Image and Audio Material) Bill 2025
Crimes Legislation Amendment (War Memorial Offences) Bill 2025
Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025
Environmental Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Parliamentary Remuneration Amendment (Basic Salary) Bill 2025
Tobacco Legislation (Closure Orders) Amendment Bill 2025
Victims Rights and Victims of Crime Commissioner Bill 2025
Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Bill 2025
Bills introduced – Non-Government
Crimes Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2025
Crimes and Roads Legislation Amendment (Obstruction Offences Repeals) Bill 2025
Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Repeal Bill 2025
Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Illicit Tobacco) Bill 2025
Summary Offences Amendment (Limitation on Offensive Language) Bill 2025
Workers Compensation Amendment (Firefighters' Diseases) Bill 2025
Bills passed by both Houses of Parliament
Children's Guardian Amendment Bill 2025
Community Housing Providers (Adoption of National Law) Amendment Bill 2025
Conveyancing and Real Property Amendment Bill 2025
Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025
Identity Protection and Recovery Bill 2025
Local Court Amendment (Jurisdiction) Bill 2025
Parliamentary Remuneration Amendment (Basic Salary) Bill 2025
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025
Bills assented to
Parliamentary Remuneration Amendment (Basic Salary) Act 2025 No 43 – assented to 13 August 2025
Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Act 2025 No 44 – assented to 13 August 2025
Identity Protection and Recovery Act 2025 No 45 – assented to 15 August 2025
Children's Guardian Amendment Act 2025 No 46 – assented to 15 August 2025
Local Court Amendment (Jurisdiction) Act 2025 No 47 – assented to 15 August 2025
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 No 48 – assented to 15 August 2025
Community Housing Providers (Adoption of National Law) Amendment Act 2025 No 49 – assented to 15 August 2025
Conveyancing and Real Property Amendment Act 2025 No 50 – assented to 15 August 2025
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.
