Australian law underwent significant change in 2025, with reforms affecting workers’ rights, family law, environmental protection, international recognition and online safety.
Here are six major legal developments from the year.
From February 26, workers on digital platforms such as Uber, UberEats, Didi and DoorDash gained new rights against sudden account deactivation. Previously, drivers and riders could lose access to their accounts with little warning, explanation or ability to challenge the decision.
Under the new rules, workers who have been active on a platform for at least six months can bring an “unfair deactivation” claim before the Fair Work Commission. The commission has the power to order reinstatement or compensation, placing limits on how platforms can remove workers from their systems.
Changes to the Family Law Act in June altered how pets are treated after the breakdown of a marriage or de facto relationship. Companion animals were previously considered property, alongside household items such as cars or furniture.
Courts must now consider factors including how the pet was acquired, who has cared for it, who paid veterinary bills and the level of attachment of family members. The law also allows consideration of past cruelty to the animal and the presence of family violence in the home. While courts cannot order shared care, parties may still agree to such arrangements privately.
Pseudolaw arguments associated with so-called sovereign citizens drew renewed scrutiny in 2025. The issue came into sharper focus following the August Porepunkah police shootings, allegedly carried out by self-proclaimed sovereign citizen Dezi Freeman, who remains missing.
In the civil courts, former South Australian footballer and broadcaster Warren Tredrea attempted to avoid a $149,000 debt to the Nine Network by relying on a handwritten IOU based on pseudolegal reasoning. In early September, the Federal Court of Australia rejected the claim, describing it as “incomprehensible and legally meaningless” and calling the purported IOU “a waste of time”.
On 21 September, Australia formally recognised the independent State of Palestine, marking one of the year’s most significant developments in international law. Recognition creates a legal relationship between states and triggers reciprocal rights and obligations.
Announced during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the decision aligned Australia with other Western nations, including the United Kingdom, France and Canada, that have moved to recognise Palestine. The move also strengthened Palestine’s standing in international forums and reinforced the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act passed on 28 November substantially increased penalties for environmental offences by changing how fines are calculated.
Corporations that significantly damage protected matters, such as threatened species or ecological communities, can now face penalties of up to three times the value of any benefit gained or detriment avoided, 10% of annual turnover (capped at $825 million), or $16.5 million, whichever is highest. For individuals, the maximum penalty is the higher of three times the benefit or detriment, or $1.65 million.
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 took effect on 10 December, banning social media accounts for children under 16. Platforms covered by the law must verify users’ ages and can be fined up to $49.5 million for non-compliance.
The federal government says the measure is designed to protect young people from harmful content and online predators. Critics argue it is heavy-handed and ineffective. A teenager has already launched a High Court challenge, claiming the ban breaches the implied constitutional freedom of political communication, while young people remain divided over its impact on safety, mental health and online connection.
Together, the reforms reflect a year of substantial legal change, reshaping areas from work and family life to environmental protection and digital regulation.
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