We're in a new financial year, which means that because of annual indexation and changes to the law many reference points relevant to employment law change.

Here are some of the most important changes applying from 1 July 2015:

Salary cap for unfair dismissal $136,700 (up from $133,000: employees paid more than $136,700 base salary per annum, and not covered by an award, cannot claim unfair dismissal) 
National Minimum Wage $656.90 per week (up from $640.90 per week) or $17.29 per hour 
Award minimum wages All award pay rates increased by 2.5% effective 1 July 
Superannuation Guarantee Percentage 9.5% (foreshadowed to remain at this rate until 30 June 2021) 
Superannuation Guarantee cap $50,810 per quarter - $203,240 per annum (earnings above which are not subject to compulsory contributions) 
Redundancy tax concessions In a bona fide redundancy payment, $9,780, plus $4,891 per completed year of service, is tax free 
Eligible Termination Payment cap $195,000 (concessional tax treatment below this amount, highest marginal tax rate above)
Fair Work Information Statement This must be given to all employees on commencement of employment. For the updated version for 2015-16 click here.

Points for attention:

  1. Beware of paying less than the National Minimum Wage to any employee not covered by any age or disability-related percentage rate
  2. For employers with 19 or fewer employees, the SuperStream system (simplified electronic superannuation compliance) applies from 1 July, with compliance required by 30 June 2016 (employers of 20 or more should already be complying).

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.