The Albanese Labor Government is delivering more real, practical and ongoing help with the cost of living for Australians, with more support set to roll out a week from today [1 July].

This is more responsible, meaningful hip pocket help for households.

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering what we said we would at last month’s election, rolling out billions of dollars’ worth of responsible support from 1 July:

• The National Minimum Wage and award wages will increase by 3.5 per cent from 1 July, benefitting up to 2.9 million Australians on low and award wages.
• Employers’ minimum required contribution to employees’ superannuation accounts will rise to 12 per cent.
• Paid Parental Leave (PPL) will increase to 24 weeks, and individual and family income limits will increase.
• Super will be paid on all Government PPL.
• Every household and around one million small businesses will receive a further $150 in energy bill relief before the end of the year.
• New tradies who take up apprenticeships in housing construction will receive $10,000 in incentive payments, on top of their wages.
• Households and businesses looking to lower their energy bills will be eligible for around 30 per cent off the cost of installing a battery system alongside solar energy, with the Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries program.
• In addition to cutting 20 per cent off student loan debts for 3 million Australians, the Government will also increase the amount that people can earn before they are required to start paying back their loans to $67,000, subject to the passage of legislation.
• Commonwealth Prac Payments start for nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work students.
• Important social security payments will increase by 2.4 per cent.

After 1 July, our meaningful, responsible cost of living relief will continue rolling out through the remainder of 2025:

• Another 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will open throughout the rest of the year, and bulk billing is expanding from November.
• The Government is freezing the indexation of draught beer excise for two years from August 1.
• Hard‑working aged care nurses will receive the next instalment of their pay rise in October, following the first instalment in March this year.

Under Labor, inflation is down substantially, real wages are up, unemployment is low, our economy is growing, debt is down and interest rates are falling, but we know people are still under pressure.

All this progress we have made together means we are well placed and well prepared at a time of global economic uncertainty and volatility.

In our second term, the Albanese Labor Government will continue to help Australians with the cost of living, finish the fight against inflation, strengthen Medicare and build a stronger economy.

As at 24 June 2025.