Amended laws and changes as of July 1, 2018 Part 2 Wage & Super

As of 1 July, this year, various changes are expected to occur in the laws of Australia.

The changes that individuals will face in Australia at work and at home are outlined below.

EMPLOYMENT AND WAGE

Minimum Wage and Penalty Rates
As of 1 July, the minimum wage will rise by 3.5% which will increase the minimum weekly wage from $694.90 to $719.20. This will also affect public holiday work benefits. Although casual employees will receive the same public holiday benefits, part-time and full-time employees will receive 10% less on those days. The above information will vary from industry to industry so please double check these details based on the industry you work in.

New Payroll System
From 1 July, based on the Single Touch Payroll system, businesses that employ more than 20 employees are required to report all payments, including salaries and pensions, directly on various payroll or accounting programs that the business uses. This may be applied to businesses with 19 or fewer employees from 1 July 2019.

Job Seekers/Disability Employment Services
Requirements and penalties on Job-seeker and Disabled Recruitment Support Services will be consolidated and will also apply to participants of Parents Next. For those who do not meet such requirements, until you consult with the person in charge, payments will be suspended and should no valid reason be provided, a penalty may apply.

Job Seek support may be reduced or payment may be cancelled for the following reasons:

• If you are penalised 5 times or do not have an interview within a 6 month period; or
• If there is a continuous absence during interviews or activities.

Your job support payments may also be cancelled for the following reasons:

• If you reject a suitable job or do not start the job;
• If you quit the job without providing a valid reason; or
• If there is a case of dismissal for misconduct.

If the funding is cancelled, an application must be resubmitted with a wait time of at least 4 weeks in order to receive funding again.

To avoid the above, you must;

• Actively attend consultations and interviews;
• Continuously search for a job; and
• Carry out planned activities, and if it is difficult to meet such requirements, you must inform the person in charge as soon as practicable.

Newstart and Youth Allowance
From 1 July, in order to receive your first payment, you may be required to consult with your job service representative.

SUPERANNUATION & PENSION

Superannuation
From 1 July, in order to reduce the size of homes, the government has provided incentives to individuals aged 65 or older who would like to make a super contribution. Regulations have been strengthened for retirement pension fund members who receive tax deductions by requiring them to submit a ‘Notice of Intent’ form before being paid their Super Pension fund.

Pensioners
As of 1 July 2019, in order to receive Age Pension or the Disability Support Pension (DSP), the following requirements are to be met:

• Reside in Australia for a continued period of 10 years and have worked in Australia for at least 5 years during such period.
• Provide evidence to show that you have not received income support during the period outlined above.
• Reside in Australia for a continued period of 15 years.