July 1 in Australia often marks the depths of winter, especially in the eastern states. While friends and family post sun-drenched photos from European holidays many of us are left trudging through grey skies and soggy commutes.
But this year, July 1 brings more than just seasonal gloom, it brings long-overdue legislative changes that offer real tangible benefits for Australian workers, especially women.
From July 1, the federal Labor government’s major federal reforms come into effect which include the following:
An increase in paid parental leave
Families can now access up to 24 weeks of government-funded Paid Parental Leave, up from 22 weeks. This will increase again to 26 weeks by July 2026. This is a game-changer for women who still carry the bulk of caregiving responsibilities. More paid time at home means less financial stress during a critical life transition whilst also encouraging partners to take leave promoting gender equity in caregiving.
Superannuation contributions on parental leave
For the first time in Australian history, superannuation will be paid on government-funded Paid Parental Leave. This is landmark reform. Women retire with, on average, 23 per cent less superannuation than men. This gap is driven by career breaks to have children, part-time work and working in lower-paid roles. This new policy will help close that gap. For example, a woman taking 24 weeks of leave could see an additional $7,200 in her super by retirement.
Superannuation guarantee increase to 12 per cent
The Superannuation Guarantee will officially rise from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent. This may seem like a small bump, but over a lifetime, it adds up. A 30-year-old woman earning the median wage could see her retirement savings grow by over $100,000 thanks to this change alone.
Minimum Wage Increase
The national minimum wage will rise by 3.75 per cent, which will be $24.95 per hour or $948 per week. This change affects 2.6 million workers, and significantly, over 56 per cent of minimum wage earners are women according to the Fair Work Commission. Women are disproportionately represented in low-paid, insecure jobs in sectors such as retail, hospitality and care work. This increase is a lifeline for many helping to ease cost-of-living pressures and narrow the gender pay gap.
These legislative changes are not just economic tweaks they are social justice reforms in action. Women over 50 are the fastest-growing group of homeless Australians. Many of them have spent their lives raising children, working part-time, and caring for others only to find themselves financially vulnerable in retirement or after unexpected life changes.
These legislative changes won’t fix everything but they are a powerful step toward a fairer future. They reflect a growing understanding that economic security is deeply tied to gender equity and that supporting women means supporting families, communities, and the nation as a whole.
So, while July 1 might still mean cold mornings it also marks a turning point. Such reforms acknowledge that caregiving is valuable, unpaid work that deserves financial recognition.
It helps protect women from long-term financial insecurity and reduces the risk of poverty in retirement. These changes benefit all workers, but especially women as it’s a step toward closing the gender wealth gap and ensuring dignity in later life.