Key Workplace and Wage Changes for Schools July 2026
As we race towards the end of the financial year, it’s that time again to get our payroll and HR systems sorted. The Fair Work Ombudsman has just released some important updates that will kick in from 1 July 2026.
If you're managing a non-government school, there are a few things you need to jump on to make sure you're doing the right thing by your staff and staying compliant. Here is a plain English breakdown of what's changing and how it impacts your school.
Big Changes for Early Learning and OSHC
If your school runs an Early Learning Centre, preschool, or Out of School Hours Care pay close attention.
There are specific changes coming to the Children’s Services Award pay rates. The early childhood sector has seen plenty of changes lately, so make sure your educators are on the correct, updated pay rates.
'Payday Super' is Here
This is a biggie for your finance team. We are moving to new payday super rules. Instead of paying staff superannuation quarterly, you'll need to align super payments with your regular pay cycles. It's a great idea to chat with your payroll software provider now to ensure your systems can handle the more frequent payments without a hitch.
Better Support for Parents
The rules around parental leave are changing to give families a bit more of a fair go and better flexibility. Expect to see an increase in government funded parental leave pay, as well as an increase in the amount of unpaid flexible parental leave your staff can take. It’s a good time to dust off your school's parental leave policies and give them a quick update.
Income Thresholds and Caps
A few of the major financial boundaries are shifting upward. There will be an increase to both the high income threshold (which affects who is covered by awards) and the unfair dismissal compensation cap. Keep these new numbers in mind when you're negotiating contracts for new principals or senior executive staff.
The New Fair Work Information Statement
Whenever you hire someone new, you have to give them a copy of the Fair Work Information Statement. An updated version will be released on 1 July 2026. Make sure you swap out the old PDF in your onboarding packs and send the new one out to any fresh hires starting in Term 3.
In light of the new flexible parental leave rules hitting on 1 July 2026, we have officially updated our Staff Leave Entitlements Policy.
