When the clock strikes midnight tonight, fireworks will herald the start of a new year.

At the same time, a host of new laws, guidelines and price changes will quietly come into effect.

Here's a quick breakdown of some of what's changing from January 1.

Apprenticeship payments

A licensed electrician training an apprenticeship at a construction site in Sydney.(ABC News: Mary Lloyd)

Employer incentives

A new payment encouraging employers to bring on apprentices in some trades will become available.

It's part of the federal government's plan to build a clean energy and housing workforce.

To be eligible, employers need to be training apprentices in a key apprenticeship priority (KAP) occupation.

You can see the list of KAP trades here.

Payments of up to $5,000 will be made in two instalments during the apprentices' first year.

Meanwhile, the ongoing Priority Hiring Incentive will be reduced.

This applies to employers of apprentices working towards a Certificate III or above in an occupation on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List but not the KAP list.

The maximum payment will drop from $5,000 to $2,500.

Training support payments

Many apprentices in trades listed on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List are eligible for training support payments.

But the maximum payment will be halved to $2,500.

You can read more about the changes to apprenticeship payments here.

Cash payments

Carolyn Hocking had to wait 15 months to receive her deceased husband's superannuation from CBUS(ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

Many retailers that sell groceries and fuel will be required to accept cash payments for these essential goods.

The rule doesn't cover every store though.

Small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $10 million will be exempt, meaning they will be allowed to take payments by card only, if they choose.