Australia’s new border protection forces has officially come into effect, merging the immigration and customs departments into a single agency.

On Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Tony Abbott unveiled the merger at an event in Canberra.

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“You are the guardians of our safety, our security, our safety,” he said.

Former ACT chief police officer Roman Quaedvlieg was sworn in as its first commissioner at the ceremony.

The Force’s website also went live on Wednesday morning.

The new agency will draw together the operational border, investigations, compliance, detention and enforcement functions of the two existing departments.

From July 1, several other government initiatives will also come into effect.

Wages

Minimum wage increases by 2.5 per cent, equating to an extra $16 per week on the national minimum wage, $18.70 on the base trade rate, and over $31 for professionals.

Health

High-cost medicines to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, including lung and breast cancer treatments. Primary health networks and new pharmacy agreement to start.

Immigration

Australian Border Force will bring together all immigration and customs operations into one agency.

Tax

Company tax paid by small businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million falls from 30 per cent to 28.5 per cent.

Investment

New regime of foreign investment rules and fees and greater scrutiny of agriculture investments.

Jobseekers

New job search network, Jobactive, starts and new rules apply for jobseekers who miss appointments.

Homebuyers

First home saver accounts scheme and associated tax concessions to end.

Veterans

Construction of the Sir John Monash Centre at Villers-Bretonneux in France starts.

Reef

Extra $100 million the Reef Trust to conserve the Great Barrier Reef.

Shares

Employee share schemes to be made more practical and simpler for employers and workers.

Apprentices

New Australian Apprenticeship Support Network starts operating across 420 locations.

Farmers

Grants to go out to local councils in drought-hit areas for infrastructure and pest protection.