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Wages & Conditions
Changes to Junior Pay Rates in Retail, Fast Food and Pharmacy Awards from 1 December 2026
Junior pay rates for 18, 19 and 20 year olds in retail, fast food and pharmacy are changing. Here’s what’s changing and when.
SCHADS Award changes: New pay rates from 1 December 2026; New classification structure from 1 October 2027
SCHADS Award pay rates change from 1 December 2026, with a new classification structure from 1 October 2027. Learn more here.
The high income threshold changed on 1 July 2026: Here’s what it means for employment decisions
From 1 July 2026 the high income threshold is $190,100, up from $183,100. Here are 8 ways this change affects your employment decisions.
Employment Essentials: Payroll Compliance
Learn how to manage pay errors, awards, overtime, deductions, salary absorption clauses and record-keeping obligations.
Changes to Sleepover Shifts in the SCHADS Award from 1 June 2026
A breakdown of the FWC’s Variation Decision on sleepovers. Learn about the new 12-hour agreement, shift loading calculations, and practical steps for employers.
The SME guide to pay transparency
Are you ready for the end of pay secrecy? Download our free guide to navigate the legal shifts and cultural benefits of pay transparency in your business.
![Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations
Award Summary [MA000010]](https://employmenthero.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Award-Summary_Manufacturing-Industry-768x451.webp)
Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award Summary [MA000010]
The Manufacturing Industry Award covers employers and employees who work in manufacturing or associated industries.
How to pay salaried award employees correctly and avoid underpayments
Learn how to pay salaried, award-covered employees correctly and avoid underpayments, with insights from recent court rulings.
Australia’s flipped labour market: Teens and tradies cashing in while productivity stalls
14 May 2025 – Australia’s flipped labour market sees teens and tradies cash in. Wages are surging for youth and construction, but falling hours stall productivity.
Trouble in the Australian labour market with jobs and hours at a standstill
15 July 2025 – Employment Hero June Jobs Report reveals abysmal growth. Jobs and hours remain flat month-on-month, signaling a stalled recovery despite recent rate cuts.
Australia’s jobs market slows – but Gen Z and casuals in the fast lane
14 April 2025 – Australia’s job market slows but Gen Z surges. Casual jobs jumped 10.1% and teen hiring rose 27% as employers shift focus to flexible, young talent.
Labour divide widens in May as tech wages soar and retail stalls, Employment Hero data reveals
27 June 2025 – New data shows a labour divide: Tech wages soared 9% to nearly $60/hr, while retail lags behind at $29. A two-speed economy is emerging for Australia.
Peak season powers a nationwide workforce rebound
11 December 2025 – Strong BFCM sales drove a surge in working hours. Retailers and casuals led the rebound after a brutal 2025, with casual shifts jumping 7.2% nationwide.
Job market booms, but falling hours keep productivity under pressure
13 November 2025 – New data shows a 6.4% hiring surge driven by engineers and young casuals. Wages rose 4.8% while working hours continued to fall.
Green shoots despite soft economy: hiring and wages rise, but hours continue to fall
15 Oct 2025 – Employment Hero September Jobs Report shows 5.5% hiring growth and 5.0% wage rises. SMEs are defying the soft economy, though working hours continue to slide.
