About 2.8 million Australians on award and minimum wages will receive a 4.75% pay increase from 1 July 2026, with the lowest-paid workers getting a 5.97% bump. The national minimum wage rises to $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week before tax, applying from the first full pay cycle in July.
Payday Super and Paid Parental Leave
Superannuation must now be paid at the same time as wages, rather than quarterly, under reforms targeting over $3bn in unpaid super each year. Contributions must reach funds within seven business days of payday. Government-funded paid parental leave (PPL) increases from 24 to 26 weeks, providing six months at the national minimum wage, with partner days rising from 15 to 20.
Tax Cuts and SMS Reforms
The lowest marginal tax rate drops from 16% to 15% for income between $18,201 and $45,000, saving a worker earning $45,000 or more $268 annually. Pending legislation, a $1,000 instant work-expense deduction will benefit 6.2 million workers. Businesses sending branded text messages must register their sender ID; unregistered messages will be labelled 'unverified' to combat scams.
Price Gouging and Anti-Money Laundering
New laws enforced by the ACCC target price gouging by supermarkets with revenue over $30bn—currently only Coles and Woolworths—prohibiting excessive pricing relative to supply cost plus a reasonable margin. Breaches face financial penalties. Anti-money laundering laws expand to real estate, law, accounting, conveyancing, and jewellery sectors, requiring registration with Austrac and customer ID verification.
NDIS, Centrelink, and Medicare Changes
NDIS providers in support roles must register with the quality and safeguards commission. Centrelink payments increase via indexation, though advocates note cost-of-living rises outpace the boost. The Medicare levy surcharge (MLS) threshold rises by $4,000 to $105,000 for singles and $8,000 to $210,000 for families.
Small Business and Consumer Measures
Small businesses with turnover under $10m get a permanent instant asset write-off for assets under $20,000. Seafood served for immediate consumption must be labelled as Australian ('A'), Imported ('I'), or Mixed origin ('M').
State-Specific Changes
In Queensland, the Reportable Conduct Scheme starts, requiring organisations caring for children to notify the Family and Child Commission of inappropriate behaviour allegations. Victoria introduces a portable rental bond scheme, allowing renters to transfer bonds between properties. Western Australia expands the Containers for Change program to wine and spirit bottles, offering 10-cent refunds, and provides a $100 fuel support payment for licence holders. New South Wales mandates food organics and garden organics waste services for large premises, and new rules for learner and provisional motorcyclists require protective gloves and hi-vis vests. The ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers, becoming the first jurisdiction to do so. Victoria reduces default electricity prices, saving households $84 a year and small businesses $241. Queensland caps e-bike and e-scooter speeds at 12km/h on footpaths and up to 60km/h on roads, with fines for under-16s riding illegally. A 'solar sharer' scheme in NSW, Queensland, and SA offers at least three hours of free midday electricity to households with smart meters.
