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The Money Desk · Blog
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Australia’s 2025–26 financial year changes: wages, parental leave and home batteries

Australia’s 2025–26 changes included a 3.5% increase to modern award minimum wages, expanded Parental Leave Pay for a new child cohort, super on eligible payments and discounts for eligible home batteries.
From TheFinanceBase Team4 min to read
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From 1 July 2025, modern award minimum wages rose by 3.5%, eligible families gained more government Parental Leave Pay days for children born or adopted from that date, and the Cheaper Home Batteries Program began. The rules do not all apply on the same basis: a worker’s pay timing depends on their award and pay period, parental payment days depend on a child’s birth or adoption date, and battery discounts depend on system eligibility and the installer’s quote.

This is a retrospective guide to changes for the Australian 2025–26 financial year, which ran from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. It covers several significant changes, not every federal, state, territory or workplace change that may have applied.

What changed from 1 July 2025?

Change Who or what it applies to Key detail
Modern award minimum wages Employees whose minimum pay is set by a modern award Increased by 3.5%; the new rate applied from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2025.
Government Parental Leave Pay Eligible families with a child born or adopted from 1 July 2025 Up to 120 days, equivalent to 24 weeks on a five-day-week basis; the preceding cohort could receive up to 110 days.
Super on Parental Leave Pay Eligible Parental Leave Pay for a child born or adopted from 1 July 2025 A 12% superannuation contribution, paid automatically by the ATO after the relevant financial year, starting from July 2026.
Cheaper Home Batteries Program Eligible small-scale batteries connected to new or existing rooftop solar Government funding for an approximate 30% discount, generally applied through a retailer or installer.

How did the 2025 wage increase work?

The Fair Work Commission’s 2025 Annual Wage Review increased modern award minimum wages by 3.5%. The 2025 National Minimum Wage Order also came into operation on 1 July 2025. For an individual employee, the relevant new rate took effect at the start of their first full pay period beginning on or after that date—not necessarily on 1 July itself. The Commission’s decision and National Minimum Wage Order set out the rules.

Check your coverage before calculating a new rate

The 3.5% figure is the increase to modern award minimum wages; it does not mean every worker’s total pay rose by 3.5%. Your minimum rate may depend on the award and classification that cover your work, while an enterprise agreement or other arrangement may set your pay differently. Check the applicable instrument and pay period to identify the rate that applies to you.

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How much Parental Leave Pay could eligible families get?

For a child born or adopted from 1 July 2025, an eligible family could receive up to 120 days of government Parental Leave Pay. Services Australia describes this as 24 weeks when calculated on a five-day work week. The previous maximum was 110 days for the preceding child cohort. The child’s birth or adoption date determines the maximum days available; the 120-day maximum does not apply to children born or adopted before 1 July 2025.

The payment rate depends on when days are taken

Parental Leave Pay is a taxable government payment at the National Minimum Wage rate. The daily rate depends on the financial year in which payment days are taken, not on the child’s birth date. Services Australia lists a rate of $189.62 per day for 2025–26 and $200.94 per day for 2026–27; check its current payment guidance for the rate relevant to your payment period.

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Sharing days and distinguishing other leave

Partner-sharing rules affect how a family can use its days. For the 2025 cohort, some days are reserved for the other parent when the claimant has a partner. Eligibility and the number of days available to each parent depend on the family’s circumstances, so use Services Australia’s guidance when planning a claim.

Government Parental Leave Pay is separate from both an employee’s Fair Work entitlement to unpaid parental leave and any paid parental leave offered by their employer under a policy or agreement. Receiving one does not, by itself, describe the terms of the others.

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What changed for super on Parental Leave Pay?

Eligible Parental Leave Pay relating to a child born or adopted from 1 July 2025 attracts a 12% superannuation contribution. Services Australia says the ATO will pay it into the recipient’s super fund after the relevant financial year, with payments starting from July 2026. Recipients do not need to apply separately for this contribution; they should make sure their details with Services Australia and the ATO are correct. See Services Australia’s superannuation guidance.

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How does the Cheaper Home Batteries Program discount work?

The Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program started on 1 July 2025. It funds around a 30% discount on eligible small-scale battery systems connected to new or existing rooftop solar. The discount is generally passed on through a solar or battery retailer or installer under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. The approximate rate is not a promise that every household, battery or quote will receive the same discount. Check the program eligibility information and ask the retailer or installer to show the discount in the quote.

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Compare installed quotes, not just the advertised discount

Eligibility and the final price vary. Compare eligible systems by usable battery capacity, total installed cost and the actual discount applied to each quote. The official program information does not establish that a particular model or quote qualifies; confirm eligibility with the retailer or installer.

In its 20 May 2025 announcement, the Australian Government estimated an upfront saving of around $4,000 on an 11.5 kWh battery previously costing around $13,000. It also estimated annual electricity bill savings of $700 to $1,600, including $300 to $900 attributed to the battery. These were announcement estimates, not guaranteed savings or a current quote. The announcement provides the original figures.

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Is this a complete list of Australia’s new financial-year changes?

No. These are several notable Australian changes commencing on 1 July 2025, not an exhaustive account of all federal, state, territory or workplace changes affecting the 2025–26 financial year. Individual wage coverage, family eligibility and battery-system qualification require checking the relevant official rules for the circumstances involved.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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