Hot off the Press: Key updates released this week you should be aware of

Several important updates have been released this week that may impact your business. 

Below is a practical summary of what has changed and what it means for your business.

Portable Long Service Leave, Community Services Industry – extended deadlines

There has been a timing adjustment to the rollout of Portable Long Service Leave reporting for the community services sector.

Given the scale of the change and the fact that the LSL Corporation is only now gaining access to and training on the portal, key deadlines have been pushed back.

Updated deadlines:

• Portal access to lodge Service Returns will not be available until 29 April 2026
• Service Returns covering 1 July 2025 to 31 March 2026 are now due by 13 May 2026
• Payment of initial levy contributions is now due by 31 May 2026

Card Surcharges to Be Removed, Effective from 1 October 2026

The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced a significant reform to card payment rules.

From 1 October 2026, businesses will no longer be able to pass on surcharges for payments made via debit or credit card across eftpos, Mastercard and Visa networks.

The reform package includes:

• Removing card surcharges by allowing card providers to prohibit surcharging within merchant contracts
• Reducing interchange fee caps on domestic-issued credit, debit and prepaid cards
• Introducing caps on interchange fees for foreign-issued cards used in Australia
• Increasing transparency by requiring clearer reporting of fees, margins and how reductions are passed on to retailers.

Why this change is being introduced:

• To give consumers clearer, upfront pricing
• To reduce payment costs for businesses over time
• To improve competition across the payments market

Junior Pay Rates Update, Fair Work decision to phase out certain junior rates

The Fair Work Commission has released a decision to phase out junior pay rates for certain employees aged 18 to 20.

Applies to the following awards:

• Fast Food Industry Award 2020
• General Retail Industry Award 2020
• Pharmacy Industry Award 2020

Key points:

• Employees aged 18 to 20 with more than 6 months’ service must be paid the full adult rate
• Junior rates will remain unchanged and continue to apply for employees with less than 6 months’ service
• The changes are proposed to be phased in from 1 December 2026, with full implementation by 1 July 2029

What should you do next?

• Review whether these updates apply to your business
• Assess any payroll, compliance or pricing impacts early
• Ensure your systems and processes are ready ahead of implementation dates
• Seek advice where there is uncertainty

Need support?

Keeping up with changes is one thing, applying them correctly is what protects your business.

If you would like support our team is here to help.