65 - Employment law changes from 1 July 2026: what you need to know

1 July 2026 Employment Law Changes: Wage Rises, Payday Super, Parental Leave Expansion & Victoria NDA Restrictions Melissa Bush briefs Australian employers on key employment law changes taking effect from 1 July 2026 (plus immediate Victorian changes), warning of active enforcement by the Fair Work Ombudsman and ATO and providing a pre-30 June checklist. The Fair Work Commission’s 2026 Annual Wage Review increases the national minimum wage 6% to $26.44/hour ($1,004.90/week) and modern award minimum rates 4.75%, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July, with a phased removal of the C13 classification; employers must update payroll and ensure salaries still absorb award entitlements where applicable and enterprise agreement rates remain above awards. “Payday super” replaces quarterly payments: super must be received by funds within 7 business days of each payday (with a 20-business-day rule for new starters), triggering non-deductible SGC if late. Government-funded paid parental leave expands to 26 weeks, with 4 weeks reserved for the non-primary carer, requiring policy and workforce planning updates. Victorian law restricts NDAs in sexual harassment settlements unless requested by the complainant, with strict procedural requirements and a 12-month termination right. 00:00 July Law Changes Overview 01:25 Show Intro Disclaimer 02:32 Minimum Wage Award Rises 06:09 Payroll Checks BOOT 08:46 Payday Super Explained 13:01 Payday Super Checklist 15:03 Paid Parental Leave Update 19:35 Victoria NDA Limits 23:20 Final Summary Next Steps https://calculate.fairwork.gov.au/FindYourAward https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/workplace-laws/annual-wage-review/annual-wage-review-2026 https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/super-for-employers/payday-super/about-payday-su... https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/parental-leave-pay https://www.vic.gov.au/restricting-non-disclosure-agreements-sexual-harassment-work-act-2025