Here’s what landed this week for Australian small businesses. With the new financial year three weeks away, this week was mostly about what changes on 1 July — the government published its official list, the big super reform is almost here, and the monthly business mood improved a little. Here’s the plain version.
The government’s official “what changes on 1 July” list is out
business.gov.au published its roundup of changes for businesses from 1 July 2026 on 9 June. It’s the single, authoritative checklist — covering the minimum wage rise, Payday Super, the Super Clearing House closing, ASIC fee increases, and a few sector-specific rules (like seafood country-of-origin labelling in hospitality and a new SMS Sender ID register).
Why it matters: Instead of piecing changes together from a dozen places, this is one page that tells you what’s shifting and whether it touches you. Worth a five-minute read to see which lines apply to your business.
business.gov.au — Changes for businesses from 1 July 2026
Payday Super starts 1 July — and it changes how you pay super
From 1 July 2026, employers must pay employees’ super at the same time as wages, rather than quarterly. The super has to reach the fund within seven business days of payday. The ATO has said it’ll take a supportive approach to honest mistakes in the first year, but a firmer one on deliberate non-compliance.
Why it matters: This is the biggest payroll change in years. If you currently pay super quarterly, your cash flow rhythm changes — super becomes a per-pay-run cost, not a once-a-quarter one. The practical step now: confirm your payroll software is Payday Super-ready and that you’ve got a way to pay super that isn’t the Clearing House (which closes 30 June). The Fair Work Ombudsman has a plain summary.
Fair Work Ombudsman — Payday Super: new rules starting 1 July 2026
Business confidence lifted a little, costs eased a little
NAB released its May Monthly Business Survey on 9 June. Confidence rose 10 points to ‑14, and conditions held steady at +3. Cost pressures eased a touch — purchase, labour and price growth all came down slightly — though they’re still elevated and margins remain tight.
Why it matters: It’s a modest “glass half full” read. The mood is still cautious and below average, but the worst of the cost spikes may be easing. If your suppliers have stopped pushing prices up as hard, that lines up with what other businesses are seeing.
NAB — Costs ease, confidence lifts off a low base
ASIC fees go up from 1 July
ASIC’s annual fee indexation kicks in on 1 July 2026. A few that affect small businesses: registering a company rises from $611 to $636, the annual review fee for a proprietary company goes from $329 to $342, and a one-year business name registration goes from $45 to $47.
Why it matters: Small amounts, but worth knowing if you’re about to register a company or business name — doing it before 1 July saves you a few dollars. And if your annual company review falls just after 1 July, expect the slightly higher fee.
That’s the week. The headline is simple: 1 July is a real deadline this year, and Payday Super is the one change worth preparing for rather than discovering. If you’re unsure whether your payroll setup is ready, that’s a good thing to check now — and you’re welcome to message a real person if you’d like a hand thinking it through.