Australian Pay & Tax News
Wage decisions, tax changes, super rules and payment increases — what changed, when it starts, and what it means for your take-home pay. Every story links to a calculator so you can run your own numbers.
Wages
Health Professionals Award Changes From 1 October 2026: New AQF Pay Structure Lifts an AQF 7 Graduate to $1,308.80 a Week
24 September 2026
Allied health moves to an AQF-based pay structure from 1 October 2026. An AQF 7 graduate goes from $1,219.50 to $1,308.80 a week. New rates and later stages.
Tax
Tax Return Deadline Is 31 October 2026 — a Saturday, So Self-Lodgers Have Until Monday 2 November 2026
24 September 2026
2025-26 tax returns are due 31 October 2026, a Saturday, so self-lodgers have until Monday 2 November 2026. Late: $364 per 28 days; GIC 11.51%.
Wages
Air Traffic Controllers Get 3.4% Pay Rise on 7 October 2026: Level 1 Rises to $125,564, Level 10 to $243,589
24 September 2026
Airservices controllers get the final 3.4% rise under their 2024-2027 agreement on 7 October 2026: Level 1 to $125,564, Level 10 to $243,589.
Tax
Tax Now Withheld From Award Transport Payments From 1 October 2026: What It Does to Your Pay
24 September 2026
From 1 October 2026 employers must withhold tax from award transport payments. On a $22 weekly allowance, a $1,300-a-week worker has about $7 more withheld.
Centrelink & Payments
Age Pension Rises $36.80 a Fortnight From 20 September 2026 — but Deeming Rates Rise Too
20 September 2026
The full Age Pension rose $36.80 to $1,237.70 a fortnight on 20 September 2026 (couples $1,866.00). JobSeeker $824.90; deeming now 1.75%/3.75%.
Wages
Victorian Teachers Pay Rise 2026: Staff Vote 93.1% Yes — What the New Agreement Pays and When
17 September 2026
Victorian teachers voted 93.1% yes: top step rises from $118,063 to $133,456 from October 2026 and $151,419 by 2029, graduates to $92,882, plus a $2,000 lump sum.
Wages
Home Care Disability Workers Get a 15% Pay Rise From 1 December 2026 Under the SCHADS Award
11 September 2026
SCHADS home care disability (Schedule E) rates rise 15% from 1 December 2026, deferred from October. Level 3 goes from $1,119.10 to $1,287.00 a week.
Wages
Queensland State Wage Case 2026: State Award Wages Rise 4.75% From 1 September 2026
4 September 2026
The QIRC's [2026] QIRC 280 lifts Queensland state award wages 4.75% from 1 September 2026 and sets the state minimum wage at $1,004.90 a week. Who it covers.
Wages
Junior Pay Rates Rise From 1 December 2026: 18 to 20-Year-Olds in Retail, Fast Food and Pharmacy Move Toward the Adult Rate
26 August 2026
18 to 20-year-olds with 6+ months' service in retail, fast food and pharmacy move toward the adult rate from 1 December 2026. Full timetable to 1 July 2029.
Super
Payday Super: What Changes on Your Payslip From July 2026
2 July 2026
Payday super requires employers to pay your super guarantee alongside every pay run from 1 July 2026. Here's what to check on your payslip now.
HECS
Your First Tax Return Under the New HECS Repayment System
2 July 2026
Millions lodge their first return under the new marginal HECS system this year, with 15% charged only above $69,528. Here's how it changes your refund.
Super
Payday Super Is Live: Employers Must Now Pay Super With Every Pay
1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super guarantee into your fund within 7 business days of each payday. Here's what payday super means for you.
Super
Division 296 Super Tax Starts: Extra 15% on Balances Above $3 Million
1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, Division 296 adds a 15% tax on earnings from super balances above $3 million, plus 10% above $10 million. Who it hits and when.
Tax
Tax Cut From 1 July 2026: The 16% Rate Drops to 15%
1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026 the 16% tax rate on income between $18,201 and $45,000 fell to 15%, cutting up to $268 a year off every taxpayer bill this year.
Tax
The $1,000 Instant Tax Deduction: No Receipts, One Tick
1 July 2026
The $1,000 instant work-related deduction is now law for 2026-27 — claim it with no receipts from July 2027, saving workers an average $205.
Tax
Everything That Changed on 1 July 2026: Pay, Super, Tax, HECS and Centrelink
1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026: minimum wage up 6% to $26.44/hr, payday super begins, tax drops to 15%, HECS threshold rises to $69,528. The full roundup.
Centrelink & Payments
Centrelink Changes From 1 July: Family Payments and Higher Limits
1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, Family Tax Benefit Part A rose to $235.48 a fortnight per child under 13, Part B to $200.34, and the Part B income limit lifted to $124,327.
Tax
Tax Time 2026: Everything New When You Lodge This Year
29 June 2026
Lodging your 2025-26 tax return? Medicare levy thresholds rose, the $2 gift minimum was scrapped, and the WFH rate stays at 70 cents an hour.
HECS
HECS Repayment Threshold Rises to $69,528 for 2026-27
26 June 2026
The FY2026-27 HECS repayment threshold is $69,528, up from $67,000, before 15c-in-the-dollar repayments start under the marginal system. See the full bands.
Wages
Award Wages Rise 4.75% From July: Retail, Hospitality and Care Rates
24 June 2026
Award rates rise 4.75% from the first full pay period after 1 July 2026. What it means in retail, hospitality, aged care and more, and how to check your rate.
Wages
What the New $26.44 Minimum Wage Means for Your Take-Home Pay
16 June 2026
From 1 July 2026 the minimum wage is $26.44/hour, $1,004.90 a week or about $52,255 a year. What lands in your bank after tax, and new casual and part-time rates.
Wages
FWC Begins Phasing Out the C13 Award Classification
10 June 2026
The Fair Work Commission is phasing out C13, the lowest ongoing award rate, in three stages from 1 July 2026. What it means for C13 workers' pay.
Wages
Minimum Wage Rises 6% to $26.44 an Hour From 1 July 2026
2 June 2026
The minimum wage rises 6% from $24.95 to $26.44 an hour ($1,004.90 a week) and award rates 4.75% from 1 July 2026. Who gets the increase and your take-home pay.
HECS
HECS Indexation 2026: 2.8% Added to Student Debts on 1 June
1 June 2026
HECS and HELP debts were indexed 2.8% on 1 June 2026, the lowest rate since 2021 and below the lower CPI/WPI cap. See what it adds to your balance.
Super
The Super Tax Changes, Explained: Who Division 296 Actually Hits
12 May 2026
Payday super, Division 296 and higher contribution caps all start or change in 2026-27. A plain-English guide to who is affected and what changes.
Tax
Federal Budget 2026-27: What It Means for Your Take-Home Pay
12 May 2026
The 12 May 2026 Budget added a $250 tax offset from 2027-28 on top of the 1 July tax cut and $1,000 deduction — worth up to $2,816 a year combined.
Tax
Medicare Levy Thresholds Lifted: Who Pays Less From 2025-26
12 May 2026
Medicare levy low-income thresholds rose 2.9% for 2025-26 — singles now pay no levy below $28,011, up from $27,222, sparing over a million low earners.
Centrelink & Payments
Age Pension Rises $22.20 a Fortnight From 20 March 2026
20 March 2026
The Age Pension rose $22.20 a fortnight to $1,200.90 for singles from 20 March 2026; couples get $905.20 each. DSP and Carer Payment rose by the same amount.
Centrelink & Payments
Deeming Rates Change: How Centrelink Now Counts Your Savings
20 March 2026
From 20 March 2026, Centrelink deeming rates rose to 1.25% below $64,200 (singles) or $106,200 (couples), 3.25% above, changing how savings count for pensions.
Super
LISTO Boost: Income Limit Rises to $45,000 and the Payment to $810 From 1 July 2027
13 March 2026
From 1 July 2027 the low income super tax offset income limit rises from $37,000 to $45,000 and the maximum from $500 to $810. It is now law.
Super
Transfer Balance Cap Lifts to $2.1 Million From 1 July 2026
5 March 2026
The transfer balance cap rises from $2.0 million to $2.1 million on 1 July 2026, lifting how much can move into a tax-free retirement pension.
Super
Super Contribution Caps Rise to $32,500 and $130,000 for 2026-27
24 February 2026
From 1 July 2026 the concessional super cap rises to $32,500 and the non-concessional cap to $130,000. See the new caps and bring-forward limits.
HECS
The 20% HECS Debt Cut: How to Check It Hit Your Balance
20 January 2026
The one-off 20% HELP debt cut is now fully processed, wiping about $5,520 off the average $27,600 balance. Here's how to check it applied to your account.
Centrelink & Payments
Centrelink Payments Rise From 1 January: Who Gets More
1 January 2026
Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY rose to $677.20 a fortnight and Carer Allowance to $162.60 from 1 January 2026, reaching over 1 million Australians.
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