Australia news live: ATO finds one-quarter of big firms pay zero tax; NDIS alternative Thriving Kids program begins
Summary
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) found that about one-quarter of large companies in Australia paid no income tax in 2024-25, often due to reporting losses or claiming expenses. Meanwhile, a new program called Thriving Kids started, offering early services to young children with mild developmental delays and autism, replacing part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).Key Facts
- Around 27% of big companies (earning over $100 million) reported paying zero tax in 2024-25.
- Many companies said they paid no tax because their expenses were higher than their income.
- Some large companies like Optus and Adani routinely pay no tax by citing investments and costs.
- In total, 4,299 big companies paid $87.5 billion in tax, mainly from the mining industry.
- The ATO is focusing on making sure digital businesses and data centers pay their fair share of tax.
- The new Thriving Kids program began for children under nine with mild developmental delays or autism.
- Thriving Kids will gradually replace the NDIS for these children by 2028 and does not require a formal diagnosis.
- Queensland is the only state not participating in the Thriving Kids program so far.
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