Last updated Tuesday 17 February, 2026 2:27 PM
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Thousands of new apprentices as Government backs a bigger housing workforce
Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles announced that 11,407 apprentices commenced in housing construction trades within six months of the Housing Construction Apprenticeship stream launching on 1 July 2025 under the Key Apprenticeship Program. The initiative provides $10,000 to apprentices over the course of their training and up to $5,000 for employers in the first year. The highest commencements were in carpentry, plumbing and electrical trades, with strong participation across all states and territories. The Federal Government said the program supports workforce growth to address skills shortages and help deliver more homes nationwide.
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Cheaper medicines for chronic kidney disease and psoriasis
Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler announced new and expanded Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings to make treatments for chronic kidney disease and psoriasis more affordable. Dapagliflozin (Forxiga®) will be expanded to support around 65,000 Australians with chronic kidney disease each year, who could otherwise pay more than $670 per script. Calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate (Wynzora®) will also be listed for chronic stable plaque psoriasis, reducing costs to a maximum of $25 per script, or $7.70 for concession card holders. The Federal Government has approved 399 new or amended PBS listings since July 2022.
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More Australians to start uni in 2026
Minister for Education Jason Clare announced that more Australians will commence university in 2026 than ever before, with preliminary Department of Education data showing undergraduate applications up 4.6 per cent and offers up 2.5 per cent compared to last year. Offers have increased across key fields, including teaching and nursing (up 6 per cent), science (8 per cent), social work (19 per cent) and engineering (9 per cent). The Federal Government has allocated an additional 9,500 domestic places in 2026, with 16,000 more fully funded Commonwealth supported places planned for 2027, supporting the Universities Accord target of 80 per cent tertiary attainment by 2050.
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NSW: $15 million investment to power State's renewable energy workforce
NSW Minister for Energy and Climate Change Penny Sharpe and NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan have announced a $15 million joint Federal and State Government investment to deliver the Renewable Energy Skills Strategy. The four-year initiative will support school-based trade taster programs, apprenticeships and targeted pathways to boost participation by women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The strategy underpins the Energy Roadmap, which is expected to create around 7,000 construction jobs and 4,500 ongoing roles, strengthening the skilled workforce needed for NSW’s renewable energy rollout.
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VIC: Fresh canvas for Bendigo Art Gallery
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan joined Victorian Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards to mark the start of construction on the Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment, supported by $21 million from the State Government alongside contributions from the City of Greater Bendigo, the Gallery Board and philanthropic donors. The project will deliver new exhibition space, a learning centre, theatrette and a dedicated home for Dja Dja Wurrung cultural materials. Victorian Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes said the redevelopment is expected to create 260 construction jobs and support ongoing economic benefits for the region upon completion.
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| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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| Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026 |
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| Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Act 2026 |
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| Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026 |
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See Capital Monitor's Federal Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Australian Capital Territory
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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See Capital Monitor's Australian Capital Territory Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
New South Wales
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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| Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2026 |
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See Capital Monitor's New South Wales Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Northern Territory
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. | Care and Protection of Children Amendment (Worker Screening) Act 2026 |
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| Trade, Business and Asian Relations Legislation Amendment (Streamlining Licensing Schemes and Other Matters) Act 2026 |
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| Statute Law Revision and Repeals Act 2026 |
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| Housing Amendment Act 2026 |
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See Capital Monitor's Northern Territory Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Queensland
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
|---|---|---|
See Capital Monitor's Queensland Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
South Australia
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
|---|---|---|
See Capital Monitor's South Australian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Tasmania
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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See Capital Monitor's Tasmanian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Victoria
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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| Justice Legislation Amendment (Family Violence, Stalking and Other Matters) Act 2026 |
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| Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Amendment (Financial Assurance) Act 2026 |
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| Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Act 2026 |
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See Capital Monitor's Victorian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Western Australia
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
|---|---|---|
See Capital Monitor's Western Australian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Federal
The Federal Parliament will next sit from 2 - 5 March 2026.
The 2026-27 Federal Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
Additional Budget Estimates were held on 9 - 12 February 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 25 - 28 May & 2 - 5 June 2026.
Supplementary Budget Estimates are scheduled for 26 - 29 October 2026.
The last Federal Election was on 3 May 2025.
Federal Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 13 May 2025.
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Parliament will next sit from 24 - 26 February 2026.
The 2026-27 Territory Budget will be handed down in June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for TBA.
The last ACT Election was on 19 October 2024.
ACT Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 07 November 2024.
New South Wales
NSW Parliament will next sit from 17 - 19 March 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down in June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 24 - 27 February, 2 - 11 March, 18 - 31 August & 1 - 2 September 2026.
Supplementary Budget Estimates are scheduled for 26 - 30 October 2026.
The last NSW Election was on 25 March 2023.
NSW Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 05 April 2023 and most recently amended on 17 March 2025.
Northern Territory
NT Parliament will next sit from 10 - 12 March 2026.
The 2026-27 Territory Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 9 - 18 June 2026.
The last NT Election was on 24 August 2024.
NT Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 10 September 2024.
Queensland
Queensland Parliament will next sit from 3 - 5 March 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 20 - 24 & 28 - 31 July 2026.
The last Queensland Election was on 26 October 2024.
Queensland Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 21 November 2024 and most recently amended on 22 February 2024, 10 May 2024 and 04 April 2025.
South Australia
The SA State election will be held on Saturday, 21 March 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on TBA.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for TBA.
The last SA Election was on 19 March 2022.
SAAdministrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 29 January 2025.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Parliament (Assembly) will next sit from 3 - 5 March 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 1 - 4 June 2026.
The last Tasmanian Election was held on Saturday 19 July 2025.
Tasmanian Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 11 August 2025.
Victoria
The Victorian Parliament will next sit from from 17 - 19 February 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down in May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for TBA.
The last Victorian election was held on 26 November 2022.
Victorian Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 02 October 2023 and most recently amended on 12 December 2023.
Western Australia
The WA Parliament (Assembly) will next sit on 17 - 19 February 2026.
The 2025-26 State Budget will be handed down in June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 19 - 21 May 2026.
The last WA election was held on 08 March 2025.
WA Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 02 April 2025.
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