Minimum wages increased 3.5% from 1 July 2025
From 1 July 2025:
- the National Minimum Wage increased by 3.5% to $948 per week or $24.95 per hour
- award minimum wages increased by 3.5%.
Other award wages, including junior, apprentice and supported wages that are based on adult minimum wages, will get a proportionate increase.
The increase applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2025.
You can now:
- find these new pay rates (including changes to penalty rates and some allowances) in our Pay and Conditions Tool and Pay guides
- download an updated version of the Fair Work Information Statement.
Learn more about the minimum wage increase at Minimum wages increase 3.5% from 1 July 2025.
Get ready for the right to disconnect with our new videos
Right to disconnect laws apply to small businesses from Tuesday 26 August 2025.
The right to disconnect gives employees the right to refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact (or attempted contact) outside their working hours, unless doing so is unreasonable. This includes contact (or attempted contact) from an employer or a third party.
Watch these videos to help you get ready for the changes.
The videos cover:
- what the right to disconnect rules are and how they apply to your small business
- how to have a conversation with your employees about the new rules
- practical steps you can take to apply the rules and avoid issues in the workplace.
Watch the videos, and find more information, on the Fairwork’s Right to disconnect page.
New criminal underpayment laws have started
New criminal underpayment laws started on 1 January 2025. Here’s a reminder about what’s changed and how to protect your business.
What’s changed
From 1 January 2025, intentional underpayment of wages or entitlements can be a criminal offence. If a person is convicted of a criminal offence, a court can impose fines, prison time, or both.
Fairwork can’t refer a small business employer’s conduct for possible criminal prosecution if they’re satisfied that they’ve complied with the Voluntary Small Business Wage Compliance Code (Code) in relation to an underpayment.
What you can do now
You can:
- Download and use the Code and supporting guide to make sure you’re paying employees correctly.
- Use the free tools and resources, including calculators to check pay rates.
- Make sure you’re prepared for the changes by learning more about:
Closing Loopholes: Changes to workplace laws have started
Several changes to workplace laws started on 26 August 2024 as part of the Closing Loopholes reforms.
It’s important that you understand your new rights and responsibilities.
What you should do now
Check now to see if you or your workplace is affected.
- Casual employment changes – Rules about casual employment have changed, including how casual work is defined, pathways to permanent employment, and employee and employer responsibilities. Read more about casual employees and pathways to permanent employment.
- Right to disconnect – Employees have the right to refuse contact outside their working hours unless that refusal is unreasonable. Learn about the new right to disconnect. This doesn’t apply to small business and their employees until 26 August 2025.
- Independent contractor changes – If you’re a contractor or work with contractors, it’s important you understand the new definition of employment and other changes to independent contractor rules.
- Minimum standards and protections for some contractors – If you’re in the gig economy or road transport industry, find out about new minimum standards and protections for some contractors. Visit Regulated workers.
Find out more about changes already in place at Closing Loopholes.
Updated information statements
Employers must give every new employee one or more information statement when they start work. The Casual Employment Information Statement must now be provided at set times throughout a casual’s employment.
Download the updated statements here:
- Fair Work Information Statement
- Casual Employment Information Statement
- Fixed Term Contract Information Statement.
Source: https://smallbusiness.fairwork.gov.au/latest-news-for-small-business
This article was originally published on https://smallbusiness.fairwork.gov.au/latest-news-for-small-business
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