Changes to Australian Employment Law

11 July 2024

From 01 July 2024:

1. High Income Threshold rises to $175,000.  Employees on higher salaries can't claim unfair dismissal in the Fair Work jurisdiction.
   
   
2. Maximum amount that can be awarded for unfair dismissal increases to $87,500.
   
   
3. Superannuation Guarantee increases to 11.5% of salary. This amount is required to be paid by the Employer, with no obligation on employees to make any contribution.
   
   
4. Superannuation Maximum Contribution Base increases to $65,070 per quarter.
   
   
5. Genuine Redundancy Tax Free limits increase to $12,524 plus $6,264 for each completed year of service.
   
   
6. National Minimum Wage for non-award employees increases to $915.90 (for 268 hours week) = $24.10 per hour, with 25% loading for casual employees.
   
   
7. Maximum penalty for contravening a civil remedy provision of the Fair Work Act increased to $99,000 for a body corporate and $19,800 for an individual.
   
   
8. Criminal offence for industrial manslaughter added to the Work Health and Safety Act, and increases to other penalties.

From August 2024:

1. New definitions of 'employee' and 'employer'.
   
   
2. Additional rights for workplace delegates.
   
   
3. Causal Employees will be able to notify their employer of their intention to change to permanent employment if they have been employed for at least 6 months (or 12 months if working for a small employer) and they believe they no longer meet the requirements of the new casual employee definition.
   
   
4. Right to disconnect - doesn't apply to small business employers at this stage (ie no obligation to respond to calls and emails in own time).