1st of July: National Minimum Wage Increase and Other Key Changes

National Minimum Wage increase 

These changes take place 1 July 2023. 

For employees not covered by an award or registered agreement: 

  • National minimum wage to increase to $882.80 per week ($23.30 per hour) 

For employees covered by an award: 

  • Minimum award wages to increase by 5.75% 

The increase applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2023. 

Updated pay tools and resources will be available from the Fair Work Ombudsman from 1 July.  

Visit Fairwork for more information: 

 

Updated paid parental leave scheme 

These changes take place 1 July 2023.  

The current 18 weeks paid parental leave entitlement will be combined with the current 2 weeks Dad and Partner pay entitlement. This means partnered couples will be able to claim up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave pay between them. Single parents can access the full 20 weeks. 

This affects employees with a child born or placed in their care on or after 1 July 2023.  

Other key amendments: 

  • Expanding eligibility criteria for fathers or partners to claim paid parental leave pay 

  • Introducing a flexible payment so employees can claim in multiple blocks until the child is two years old 

  • Removing the requirement that employees must return to work to be eligible for the entitlement 

Visit Services Australia for more information: 

 

15% wage increase for aged care  

These changes take place 30 June 2023. 

The 15% minimum wage increase applies to direct care employees in aged care, meaning those who work caring roles in the following award classifications: 

  • Aged Care Award – personal care workers (PCWs) and recreation/lifestyle activities officers 

  • Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHADS) Award – home care workers working in aged care 

  • Nurses Award – nursing assistants, enrolled nurses, registered nurses, nurse practitioners working in aged care 

The increase also applies to the most senior food services employee (levels 4-7): 

  • Covered by the Aged Care Award 

  • Working at a particular aged care site  

The increase does NOT include other employees in the sector, including support/admin staff and chefs and cooks who are not the most senior food services employee.  

Visit Fairwork for more information: 

 

Superannuation guarantee rate increase 

These changes take place 1 July 2023. 

The superannuation guarantee rate will increase from 10.5% to 11%.  

Visit the Australian Taxation Office for more information: 

Alicja Gibert