1 July often brings with it a range of changes that small business owners need to be aware of.
Here is a recap of what you need to know.
New minimum wages
The minimum wage for both the national and state industrial relations systems will increase from the first pay on or after 1 July 2026.
National minimum wage increase
If your business operates under the Fair Work federal industrial relations system (covering businesses such as ‘Pty Ltd’ companies), the new national minimum wage for employees 21 and over will increase by 4.75 per cent to $1004.90 per week or $26.44 per hour. Minimum wages for younger workers and award free trainees and apprentices will also increase.
The national minimum wage increase covers all employees who are not covered by an industry award or enterprise agreement.
Visit the Fair Work website for more information about the national minimum wage increase.
State minimum wage increase
If your business operates under the WA state industrial relations system (covering sole traders, some micro businesses, unincorporated partnerships and unincorporated trust arrangements), the new minimum wage for employees 21 and over will increase by 4.75 per cent to $998.30 per week or $26.27 per hour. Minimum wages for younger workers and award free trainees and apprentices will also increase.
Visit the Wageline website for updated WA award summaries and minimum pay rates for award free employees.
Payday Super
As part of the Federal Government’s Payday Super reforms, superannuation guarantee payments must be paid to employees at the same time as their salary and wages from 1 July 2026.
As part of these changes, the Australian Taxation Office’s Small Business Super Clearing House (SBSCH) will be retired from 1 July. If you have been using this service, it is important that you download your records from the SBSCH prior to 9:59pm WST on 30 June 2026. This will ensure you have the information required to meet any future audit, employee queries or business requirements.
Find out more about preparing for Payday Super.
SMS Sender ID
SMS Sender ID regulations will be in effect from 1 July 2026.
A Sender ID is when a name appears as the sender of a text message. An example of this is when you receive texts from ‘ATO’, the name of your bank or accounting software such as ‘Xero’ or ‘MYOB’.
If you have not registered your SMS Sender ID with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), from 1 July your text messages could be blocked or marked as spam – which could cause your customers to block, delete or ignore your messages.
Find out more about SMS Sender ID regulations and make sure you complete your registration prior to 1 July.
Seafood Country of Origin labelling requirements
If you run a hospitality business that sells food containing seafood that is served for immediate consumption (including dine in, take away or delivery), you will need to comply with new Country of Origin labelling rules.
The origin of seafood needs to be labelled clearly to customers before they order to indicate if the seafood used is:
- Australian
- Imported
- Mixed
There are three labelling methods you can choose from, and the labels must be clear, accurate and written in English. Find out more about Country of Origin labelling rules for seafood.
Tax reform initiatives
The following tax reform initiatives, announced as part of the 2026-27 Federal Budget, will take affect from 1 July. This includes:
- The $20,000 instant asset write-off has become a permanent tax scheme.
- The reintroduction of the Loss Carry Back tax scheme, which allows incorporated entities to use a loss in the current year tax to receive refunds on tax paid in the previous two tax years.
Other changes to be aware of
In addition to the changes taking place on 1 July 2026, other changes that will impact small business owners in the coming months include:
- Business names and company fees: The cost to register a business name and company fees will increase in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
- Parental Leave Pay: Paid parental leave will increase to 26 weeks (130 days) from 1 July 2026.
- Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism reforms : Real estate professionals, dealers in precious metals, conveyancers, lawyers, accountants and trust and company service providers will need to comply with Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism requirements from 1 July 2026.
- Construction Training Fund Levy: The threshold for the Construction Training Fund Levy will increase from $20,000 to $100,000 from 1 July 2026.
- Ban on surcharges for debit, credit and prepaid card payments: From 1 October 2026, business will no longer be permitted to charge payment surcharges for payments made by debit, credit and prepaid cards.
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