As the new financial year kicks off, a wave of fresh policies and regulations is set to roll out, bringing changes to everything from road rules to wages and superannuation. Here’s a breakdown of what single mums can expect from July 1 2025.
Road Rule Reforms
A suite of new road safety measures will come into force nationwide starting July 1:
- Nationally, advanced AI-driven cameras will begin detecting drivers illegally using mobile phones behind the wheel.
- Victoria introduces a rule requiring drivers to slow to 40km/h when passing stationary or slow-moving emergency, police or escort vehicles (moving under 10km/h). Breaches could lead to fines of up to $961.
Minimum Wage Boost
More than 2.6 million workers will benefit from a 3.5% increase to the minimum wage following the Fair Work Commission’s annual review.
From July 1:
- New minimum hourly wage: $24.95
- Weekly minimum (38-hour week): $948.00
This applies to employees under national minimum and modern award agreements.
Paid Parental Leave Expansion
Families welcoming a new child from July 1 2025, will now have access to 24 weeks of paid parental leave, up from 20 weeks. This entitlement will grow again to 26 weeks in 2026.
Other changes include:
- More days reserved for partners
- Greater flexibility to take leave at the same time as another parent.
Note: The number of leave days available is based on the date the child is born or adopted. If you’ve lodged a pre-birth claim before July 1, your entitlement remains at 110 days.
Superannuation Guarantee Increases
Employers will be required to contribute a higher percentage to workers’ super from July 1:
- The superannuation guarantee rate rises from 11.5% to 12% of ordinary time earnings.
Pension NDIS Pricing Shake-Up
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has announced major pricing changes starting July 1 2025, as part of its annual market review. The updates aim to align provider charges with costs covered under Medicare and private health insurance.
Key changes include:
- Travel claims slashed: Allied health professionals can only charge 50% of their hourly rate for travel.
- Therapy rates frozen: No inflation-based increases this year.
- Physiotherapy: Dropping $10/hour nationally (to $183.99); up to $40/hour cut in regions where loadings are removed.
- Podiatry & Dietetics: Reduced by $5/hour, now $188.99/hour.
- Psychology: The only service to see an increase, up $10/hour to $232.99—though cuts to regional loadings may still leave rural psychologists earning less.
