What’s Coming Up / Australia & NZ
What’s changing for employers in Australia and New Zealand.
35 rule changes, deadlines, events and dates for Australia and New Zealand, checked against official sources and updated every Monday.
Updated Monday, October 19, 2026
Type
35 items
Already in effect or under way
6 itemsChanges that have started and still need action.
- 15Oct ’26Women in their 40s are leaving the workforceTwelve-month averages of ABS data show workforce participation among women aged 40 to 49 fell from a record 85.5% in November 2025 to 84.5% in September 2026, while…
- 13Oct ’26Regional workers' mental injury gap widensAllianz Australia (an insurer) found mental injuries make up 19% of regional workers' compensation claims versus 13.4% in cities, and regional workers take 16 days…
- 12Oct ’26NSW's tougher psychological injury threshold excludes most serious claimantsData from Law Partners Injury Lawyers shows that only 88 of 1,514 NSW psychological injury claimants assessed at 15% impairment or more in 2024–25 would reach the new…
- 24Sep ’26Unpaid overtime averages 7.8 hours a weekA Unions NSW survey (union research) found workers give an average 7.8 hours of unpaid overtime a week, 88% regularly work past paid hours, and 78% fear their career…
- 1Aug ’26Unemployment rises to 5.6%Stats NZ reported unemployment of 5.6% in the June 2026 quarter, up from 5.4% in the March quarter, which points to growing job insecurity.
- 14Jul ’26Most Gen Z workers live paycheck to paycheckTELUS Health's Mental Health Index (vendor research from an employee assistance provider) found 64% of New Zealand Gen Z workers live paycheck to paycheck, versus 52%…
November 2026
9 items- 1NovNSW psychosocial code duty and inspectionsNSW employers must now follow the state's psychosocial hazards Code of Practice or show an equal or better approach (section 26A of the NSW WHS Act).
- 6NovGumboot FridayI Am Hope's national day raising money for free counseling for young people.
- 15NovNational Skin Cancer Action WeekCancer Council's annual sun-safety campaign at the start of summer.
- 19NovAHRI TAS Conference 2026The Australian HR Institute's full-day Tasmanian conference at the Crowne Plaza Hobart.
- 19NovSafeguard AI in PracticeA Safeguard event on using AI in workplace health and safety, held at Eden Park in Auckland with a livestream option.
- 22NovPsychology Week 2026The Australian Psychological Society's annual week, themed 'Psychology in action: how psychology changes lives.' It closes with the APS Awards on Sunday, November 22.
- 27NovAnnual Wage Review 2027 timetable and submissionsThe Fair Work Commission issued the 2026 review timetable on November 27, 2025, and initial submissions closed March 27, 2026.
- 27NovFMA FM Industry Awards 2026The Facility Management Association of Australia's annual industry awards event, a year-end gathering of facilities and workplace leaders.
- 28NovVictorian election on November 28 decides the work-from-home billVictoria's Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026 would give many employees a right to work from home two days a week where reasonable, with employers…
December 2026
3 items- 1DecSummer heat duties and updated guidanceEmployers must eliminate or minimize heat risks as far as reasonably practicable.
- 10DecPrivacy policies must disclose AI and automated decisionsFrom December 10, 2026, organizations covered by the Privacy Act must explain in their privacy policies when they use computer programs, including AI tools, to make or…
- 14DecFirst year-end shutdown under Payday SuperSince July 1, 2026, employers must pay super with each pay run, and it must reach the employee's fund within 7 business days.
March 2027
2 itemsApril 2027
4 items- 1Apr2027 minimum wage increaseThe adult minimum wage rose 45 cents to NZ$23.95 an hour on April 1, 2026, and the training and starting-out rates rose to NZ$19.16.
- 1AprHealth and safety law changes take effectThe Health and Safety at Work Amendment Act 2026 makes small businesses (fewer than 20 workers) focus on critical risks and requires larger ones to put critical risks…
- 1AprWGEA gender equality reporting window opensEmployers with 100 or more employees must lodge their annual gender equality data with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency between April 1 and May 31.
- 28AprNational HR Summit 2027A two-day national HR conference at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, themed 'Agility in Action: Leading What's Next', with a senior HR Leader's Forum.
On the horizon
9 itemsBigger changes later in 2027 and beyond, to plan for now.
- 1Jan ’27Ban on non-compete clauses for most workersThe draft Competition and Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Banning Unfair Non-Competes) Bill 2026 would ban non-competes for employees earning at or below the A$190,100…
- 1Jul ’272027 minimum and award wage increaseThe Fair Work Commission's next annual review will set new national minimum and award wages, usually from July 1.
- 1Jul ’27Bigger super tax offset for low-income workersThe Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset income threshold rises from A$37,000 to A$45,000 and the maximum offset from A$500 to A$810.
- 1Jul ’27Gender undervaluation review of awards due to finishThe Fair Work Commission has finished its review of priority awards in female-dominated sectors, which brings phased pay increases, and plans to finish the whole review…
- 1Jul ’27NSW psychological injury threshold rises againThe whole-person impairment threshold for new NSW psychological injury claims rises from 25% to more than 26%, then to at least 28% from July 1, 2029.
- 1Jul ’27Victorian right to work from home, if passedIf Victoria's work-from-home bill passes after the election, employees of larger employers could request two work-from-home days a week from July 1, 2027, and employees…
- 9Sep ’27R U OK?Day 2027Australia's national day for asking colleagues 'are you OK?' falls outside the November–April window this cycle.
- 1Apr ’28KiwiSaver default rate rises to 4%Default employer and employee KiwiSaver contributions rise from 3.5% to 4%.
- 6Aug ’28Employment Leave Act replaces the Holidays ActThe Employment Leave Act 2026 (Royal Assent August 6, 2026) switches annual and sick leave to hourly accrual from day one, adds a 12.5% upfront leave payment for casual…
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