Regulatory Shifts in October 2026 Highlight New Structures and Enforcement Limits

October 2026 brought notable regulatory developments in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, with two key themes emerging: new structures taking shape without a track record and enforcement tools reaching their limits.

In Australia, the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) issued its first four National Environment Standards on 19 August, covering matters of national environmental significance, environmental offsets, community engagement, and data and information. However, these standards won’t apply to assessment and approval decisions until new approval tests under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 commence on or before 1 December.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards Commission also faced challenges, writing to over 285,000 unregistered providers to remind them of their obligations under the NDIS Code of Conduct. Meanwhile, Safe Work Australia recorded 308 work health and safety prosecutions in 2025, down from the previous year, but with a 33% increase in average financial penalties to A$147,985.

In New Zealand, the Commerce Commission issued a draft decision declining authorisation for the New Zealand Gynaecology Association’s bargaining bid, with submissions closing on 7 and 21 October. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is set to announce its next Official Cash Rate decision on 28 October.

In the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) transitioned into the Information Commission on 30 September, becoming a board-led commission without changes to its powers. Meanwhile, the UK’s online safety regulator, Ofcom, revealed that most of the fines issued under the Online Safety Act remain unpaid.