From 1 July 2026, a number of changes are taking effect which were fought by the union movement.
As the union for retail, fast food and warehousing workers, the SDA works hard to increase your take-home pay and ensure your pay keeps up with the cost of living.
4.75% pay rise for millions of workers.
From 1 July, millions of workers will receive a 4.75% pay rise as part of the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review.
Workers covered by an Award or an SDA-negotiated Agreement linked to this decision will receive a 4.75% pay rise. For most SDA members, this will apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. Some SDA-negotiated Agreements specify a later date for this pay rise to take effect.
Unions and union members are the reason the minimum and Award wages increase each year.
Every year, the SDA advocates for strong and real wage increases for our members to ensure that your wages keep up when the cost of living rises.
While we push for your wages to go up, employer groups and big business called for a minimal wage increase that would have seen your wages go backwards.
Want to know what your new pay rate is? The SDA directly updates members receiving a pay rise about their new rates of pay.
Check your current pay and what you’re covered by in the SDA Members Area.
Pay Day Super
From 1 July, superannuation payments will be made on pay day.
Currently superannuation is paid at least every three months, not each pay period. This will lead to higher super balances for many Australians and more transparency around these payments.
Paying superannuation on pay day instead of every three months means workers would earn more interest on their super sooner, boosting their retirement savings. On average, workers will see their super balances boosted by almost $8000.
When super is only paid quarterly, the benefits of compound interest are lost for the individual employee – that money is sitting with the employer for 3 months when it could have been earning interest for the employee.
Paying superannuation on pay day will lead to more transparency around super payments and make it easier to chase up any unpaid super.
Super is a part of your pay. It only makes sense that superannuation payments should be deposited into your super fund at the same time that you get paid.
Paid Parental Leave
Thanks to the strong advocacy of the SDA, workers accessing government paid parental leave will receive 26 weeks of paid leave. To receive 26 weeks, your child must be born or adopted after 1 July 2026.
The Government Paid Parental Leave scheme provides government-funded Parental Leave at the national minimum wage to employees who meet the eligibility criteria.
Tax Cuts
From 1 July 2026, the tax rate on income between $18,201-$45,000 will drop from 16% to 15%. In July 2027, this will reduce again to 14%. This means you’ll earn more in take-home pay.
For example: If you earn $45,000 a year, you’ll receive an extra $268 in your pay from July 2026 – July 2027.
None of this would have been possible with union members standing together and advocating for positive change.