Child-care centres will be governed under a national framework for the first time from Sunday.
The first stage of the Federal Government's national quality framework starts in 2012, with the rest of the scheme to be phased in by 2020.
From Sunday, child-care centres must have one staff member for every four babies younger than 24 months.
This changes from a 1:5 ratio currently in place in the ACT, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. The other states already have a 1:4 ratio.
Child Care Minister Kate Ellis said the operation of a single national regulatory body would remove duplication and inconsistencies created by the operation of eight separate systems.
The New Year's legislative changes will also bring a bonus for parents with teenage children, as long as those children stay in study.
An income-tested boost to Centrelink's Family Tax Benefit Part A will give parents of 16- to 19-year-olds up to $214.06 extra a fortnight.
But to be eligible their children must be in full-time secondary school or a vocational equivalent, such as a TAFE course. Also, students up to age 19 will count as a rent assistance child from Sunday.
Payments to Australians on various pensions, study and youth allowances will be boosted in line with the consumer price index from New Year's Day.
Sunday also brings further changes to youth allowance eligibility, with all regional student applications being treated the same. Regional students will also be able to access special relocation scholarships of $4000 in their first year of study and $2000 in the second and third years.
As well, the youth allowance age of independence will be reduced to 22.
These changes will cost the Government $265 million.
People who have already studied at university will be hit by a reduced discount for paying off their Higher Education Loan Program debts.
The discount for paying off the debt completely, or voluntarily contributing more than $500, will halve to 5per cent from Sunday.
Uniform national occupational health and safety laws also come into effect from the start of 2012.
Two new bodies to regulate the offshore petroleum industry start work on Sunday.
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority and the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator will be based in Perth.
Other new programs beginning in 2012 include free hearing devices and rehabilitation services for people aged under 26 with hearing difficulties, and a system of incentive payments to encourage nurses to work in general practices. New standards for warranties against defect will apply from Sunday.
And regulation of migration agents is being tightened to require them to demonstrate they are a fit and proper person and have professional indemnity insurance.
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