Here is what's changing in Canberra from July 1, 2018

From July 1, Canberra unit owners will also lose the one-off $100 rebate offered by the ACT government, after rate calculations were changed last year.

It will cost more for parking

Canberrans will pay more for parking near the city's icons.
Photo: Jeffrey Chan

Those wanting to park for a day in the Parliamentary Triangle will have to pay more, with parking rates going up from $12 to $14.

The short-stay rate will also go up by 40 cents an hour to $2.90 an hour.

Electricity to soar

Canberrans face a nearly 15 per cent increase in their electricity bills from July this year.
Photo: Virginia Star

Parking rates aren't the only things going up at the start of the new financial year, with ACT electricity customers set to pay an additional $299 a year - about $5.73 a week - from July.

The price increase comes after a decision from the ACT Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission last month, which will see electricity costs increase by 14.29 per cent for households in the 2018-19 financial year.

Electricity prices previously rose 17 per cent during the September quarter in 2017.

Nice work, if you can get it

Martin Parkinson, secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Photo: Rohan Thomson

The salaries for departmental secretaries and other agency heads in the public service will rise by 2 per cent from Sunday.

The pay packet increase comes following a Remuneration Tribunal decision released last month, coinciding with warnings of sluggish national wage growth.

Australia's top public servant, Prime Minister and Cabinet department boss Martin Parkinson's salary will rise to $896,400.

Public service bosses salaries will also rise by up to $17,500.

Sexual abuse laws

New laws will come into effect from July 1 requiring religious organisations to report allegations, offences or convictions relating to children to the ACT Ombudsman and launch an investigation within 30 days.

The legislation, which was supported by all three parties in the ACT Legislative Assembly, will apply to activities, facilities, programs or services run by religious organisations.

While the laws also extend to churches and confessionals, that clause won't come into effect until March 31, 2019.

The ACT legislation introduction coincides with the start of the National Office for Child Safety, which will begin on July 1, as well as a national redress scheme.

Lift off for space agency

Dr Megan Clark, Chief of the Australian Space Agency.
Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

The Australian Space Agency will begin its work in Canberra from the start of the month.

The new agency will be working out of Civic for the next six months, helmed by former CSIRO head Megan Clark, until a permanent home can be found.

While South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory have expressed an interest in being the final home for the agency, Dr Clark said Canberra is the most logical location.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr has also said Canberra is the "natural home" of the agency.