Key employment monetary changes from 1 July 2023

The start of the new financial year brought about a number of changes to employment law monetary requirements in Australia, including with respect to superannuation, civil penalties and minimum wages. These changes came into effect on 1 July 2023 and are set out below.

Implications for employers

Employers should take steps to audit their payroll compliance to ensure that employees are not being underpaid. This is particularly important in the current climate, given the recent emphasis that the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has placed on compliance and enforcement in relation to wage underpayment. In particular, outgoing Ombudsman Sandra Parker recently announced that the FWO uses compliance notices as the default tool for small to medium businesses (except in the case of systemic or deliberate underpayments). For large businesses the FWO may prosecute employers if they do not cooperate or refuse to meet their obligations. In addition, there has been a continued trend of underpayment class actions and regulatory proceedings being commenced against major employers and franchisors, such as the proceedings against Aldi, Bakers Delight (as franchisor) and The Reject Shop.

Key Changes

Johnson Winter Slattery is currently assisting a number of employers to audit and rectify their payroll compliance to avoid underpayments as a result of the recent changes and historical payroll issues. If you would like further information on how these changes might impact you or your business, please reach out to a member of our Employment team.