Changes to minimum wage, application fee and award rates are now in place.
The National Minimum Wage has increased to $1004.90 per week or $26.44 per hour and award minimum wages have increased by 4.75 per cent.
Other award wages will get a proportionate increase. This includes junior, apprentice and supported wages that are based on adult minimum wages. This increase applies from the first pay period starting on or after July 1, 2026.
If you’re covered by an enterprise agreement, the minimum wage increase may apply. This is because the base pay rate in an enterprise agreement can’t be less than the base pay rate in the relevant award.
Trainee rates have also increased, with more information available here.
The application fee has also increased to $92.70. This applies to:
- General protections dismissal disputes;
- general protections non-dismissal disputes;
- unfair dismissal remedies;
- unlawful termination disputes;
- orders to stop bullying;
- unfair contract remedies; and
- unfair deactivation or unfair termination remedies.
Other changes that have come into effect include:
- Employers now need to pay superannuation contributions at the same time as they pay their employees’ wages;
- unpaid parental leave has increased to 130 for a child who is born or placed for adoption on or after July 1, 2026
- government funded parental leave pay has been increased to 130 days; andf
- the high income threshold and contractor high income threshold as increased to $190,100. The compensation cap has increased to $95,050.
For more information on all changes, visit here.
