A sweeping set of new laws affecting tax, wages, superannuation, Centrelink payments and household costs will come into force from July 1, as Australia enters the new financial year.
The changes include pay rises, tax cuts, expanded welfare payments and significant reforms to superannuation, alongside increases in some fees and cost-of-living adjustments across multiple sectors.
Wages rise to over $1,000 a week
From July 1, the national minimum wage will increase by 4.75 per cent following a Fair Work Commission decision, lifting the rate to $1,004.90 per week, or $26.44 per hour.
Tax cuts and new deductions
Tax reforms will begin delivering savings for workers, with the lowest marginal tax rate reduced from 16 per cent to 15 per cent for income between $18,201 and $45,000. The change is expected to deliver savings of up to $268 per year for most taxpayers, rising to as much as $536 annually when the rate is further reduced to 14 per cent from July 1, 2027.
From 2026–27, the federal government will also introduce a $1,000 instant tax deduction, allowing workers to reduce taxable income without receipts. The measure is expected to benefit around 6.2 million Australians, with an average saving of $205 in its first year. The Working Australians Tax Offset will provide further relief of up to $250 for eligible workers.
Family payments and parental leave increase
Family payments will rise due to indexation, with increases to the Family Tax Benefit and related supports. Payments for children under 13 will rise to $235.48 per fortnight, while payments for children aged 13 and over will increase to $306.46. Family Tax Benefit Part B will also increase, with maximum rates rising to $200.34 per fortnight for families with a youngest child under five, and $139.86 where the youngest child is five or older.
Paid Parental Leave will increase from 120 to 130 days for births or adoptions from July 1, with partner leave increasing from 15 to 20 days.
Superannuation reform: “Payday Super” begins
A major workplace change will also begin with the introduction of “Payday Super”, requiring employers to pay superannuation at the same time as wages. The government says the reform is designed to reduce unpaid super and help workers grow retirement savings more quickly.
Centrelink and pension increases
Centrelink payments will increase through indexation across a range of supports, including the Disability Support Pension, Youth Allowance, newborn supplements and other family-related payments. Age Pension income-free thresholds will also rise, increasing to $226 per fortnight for singles and $396 for couples.
Cost-of-living and energy relief measures
Cost-of-living adjustments will include an increase in the electricity disconnection threshold, which will rise from $300 to $500 in several states and territories.
A temporary fuel excise reduction will also be extended from July 1 until August 2, cutting petrol and diesel prices by around 16 cents per litre and saving motorists about $11 per tank. The measure, which also reduces the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge, is expected to cost the federal budget about $400 million.
Health and Medicare changes
Medicare billing rules will change to require patients to provide written or electronic consent before bulk billing claims are lodged. Doctors will no longer be required to co-sign forms, though a transition period will apply.
NDIS reforms and compliance changes
From July 1, supported independent living providers and digital NDIS services must register with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission as part of ongoing reforms to the scheme.
Migration and visa changes
Skilled visa income thresholds will rise to $79,499 for core skills and $146,717 for specialist roles. The increases will apply only to new applications lodged after July 1, alongside an average 3 per cent rise in visa application fees.
Scam protections strengthened
Stronger scam protections will also be introduced, with unregistered business messages to be labelled “Unverified” and grouped with suspected scam communications, while verified organisations such as myGov and Australia Post will retain trusted sender status.
Business and regulatory changes
For businesses, ASIC registration fees will increase slightly, while the $20,000 instant asset write-off will be permanently extended. New rules will also require hospitality venues selling seafood to disclose whether products are Australian or imported, and expanded anti-money laundering laws will bring more businesses under AUSTRAC regulation, requiring customer identification and transaction reporting.
Source: The Advertiser
