Millions of Australians to receive tax cuts, pay rises and bill relief from July 1: What you need to know

By SARAH BROOKES - SENIOR REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 00:36, 26 June 2026 | Updated: 00:56, 26 June 2026 Australians will see a raft of tax cuts, pay rises and energy bill relief from July 1, but price hikes and new charges threaten to wipe out the gains, experts warn. 'These increases won't completely erase the pressure many households are feeling from higher living costs,' Canstar data insights director Sally Tindall said.  'But they will provide a welcome boost for families, pensioners and other Australians relying on government support payments.' Millions of workers are in line for a tax cut, after the Labor government announced in its Federal Budget that it will reduce the 16 per cent tax rate to 15 per cent for income between $18,201 and $45,000. It is due to deliver savings of up to $268 over the next financial year, according to Canstar. From July 1, 2027, this tax rate will be reduced further to 14 per cent.  Treasurer Jim Chalmers also confirmed the government is introducing a $1,000 instant tax deduction for work-related expenses without the need for receipts.  About 6.2million workers (42 per cent of taxpayers) will benefit from the change in the upcoming financial year, 2026/27, with an average tax saving of $205. Millions of low paid workers will receive a boost to their pay from July 1 (stock image) Australians will get a raft of tax cuts, pay rises and energy bill relief (Pictured, Sydney)  The Fair Work Commission (FWC) announced in early June that a 4.75 per cent increase will be delivered to the minimum award - impacting 2.8million workers. Minimum wage will also rise by 5.97 per cent, from $948 a week ($24.95 an hour) to $1,049.90 ($26.44 an hour). Both of the changes will come into effect on July 1. In March, the Albanese government announced a boost to Centrelink payments and the latest round of changes thanks to indexation is due next week. Key payment increases include Australians on the Family Tax Benefit A, who will see a rise of up to $277.40 a year per child (depending on their age). Those on Family Tax Benefit B will also see an increase of up to $182.50 per child annually. The income threshold for the maximum 90 per cent childcare subsidy will increase from $85,279 to $88,520 from 1 July. Parental Leave Pay will also increase by 10 days to a total of 130 days (26 weeks) with more flexible leave options.  The number of days reserved for a partner will increase from 15 to 20 days from 1 July. The payment will also rise to $1,004.90 per five-day week, in line with the new minimum wage.  Canstar's Sally Tindall said increases to the minimum wage and Centrelink benefits won't completely erase the pressure many households are feeling from higher living costs More Centrelink benefitsThe Disability Support pension will also increase from indexation for many recipients. Under the changes, the package for a single dependant aged under 18 at home goes to $1,414.80, up $8.  Youth Allowance is also due to be raised to $2,080.50, up $76.65. Superannuation rules are getting a shake-up, with the Albanese government's reform 'Payday Super' starting from July 1. It means employers must pay contributions at the same time as wages, rather than quarterly.  Australians making pre-tax contributions to their super will see the annual cap rise from $30,000 to $32,500 on 1 July.  The non-concessional cap, which employers must contribute to, will also rise from $120,000 to $130,000.  The super transfer balance cap, the annual limit on the total amount of super that can be transferred into the retirement phase, will rise from $2million to $2.1million. Centrelink payments are increasing including family tax benefits Ms Tindall said the change could leave millions of Australians better off in their retirement.  'By receiving super contributions at the same time as their wages, workers should benefit from their money being invested sooner,' Ms Tindall said. '[They] will also have greater visibility over whether their employer is meeting their super obligations. But it will require some businesses to rethink their cash flow management.' However, from July 1, a new tax will impact Australians with a super balance above $3million.  The profit earned from any money over that $3million threshold in a super will get taxed at 30 per cent instead of the usual 15 per cent.  Australians who earn over a certain amount and don't have adequate private hospital cover have to pay the Medicare levy surcharge.  The threshold will increase from 1 July, which means a single person can earn up to $105,000 without having to pay the surcharge. Ms Tindall said the income thresholds used to determine the private health insurance rebate will also increase. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended fuel excise relief for another month (Pictured, people fill up their cars at a Brisbane petrol station in April)  There will be some relief for people in NSW, Victoria and southeast Queensland from their power bills. The default electricity prices are set to drop by up to 8 per cent, but not all households will feel the benefit. Supermarket pricing will face increased scrutiny from July 1 under new regulations by the federal government banning large retailers from charging excessive prices. There are significant penalties for non-compliance. 'The majority of Australians have changed how they shop in a bid to save money, showing how the climbing cost of living has turned a weekly chore into a strategic exercise,' Canstar spokesperson Eden Radford said in May. 'Switching to home-brand products is one of the simplest ways to take back control of your grocery bill. 'A family of four could save over $2,400 a year just by swapping half their basket. 'The new price gouging laws coming into effect in July are a step in the right direction, but they certainly won't replace the need for consumers to stay informed and shop smart.' Supermarkets are facing a crackdown with tough rules aimed at curbing excessive mark-ups Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Saturday that the fuel excise cut would be extended for another month. The flat-rate tax was cut by 32 cents per litre three months ago after war broke out in the Middle East in February, disrupting global oil supplies. The discount to fuel excise was scheduled to end on June 30, by which time it will have cost the Federal Budget an estimated $2.9billion in foregone revenue. But it will now be extended, with petrol and diesel set to be 16 cents per litre cheaper than usual until August 2, reducing the cost of a 65 litre tank by about $11. In addition, the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge will be reduced by 16 cents for the same period to help truckies keep Australia moving. However, the discount is due to finish at the end of July.  Internet bills are due to creep up, with NBN providers passing on wholesale price hikes of up to $10 a month. Australia Post is increasing prices from 1 July for domestic and international parcels, mail services, and passport and ID photos, Ms Tindall added. The cost of a 5kg large pre-paid satchel is rising by 95 cents. In addition, a number of toll road prices will go up in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in line with inflation.  However, in NSW, the state government is lowering the weekly toll cap from $60 to $50, which means if you spend more than this on tolls in any given week you can get the rest back as a rebate, up to $340.  The NSW government is also abolishing toll notice administration fees, which are charged when a driver uses a toll road without a valid electronic tag or active account, and reducing rego costs for the year. On July 1, it will also cost Australians a little more to start a new business as ASIC will increase the cost to register or renew a business name from $45 to $47 for a one year period. The cost to register a company will be hiked from $611 to $636. 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