Happy New Year! I hope it’s not too late to still be saying that, but with this being our first newsletter of the year, I think we can.
We hope you enjoyed a break and some time with loved ones, and are feeling ready for 2026. The Bloom team certainly is!
This year is already shaping up to be an exciting one for our community, with new programs launching, new organisations joining Bloom, and some important changes ahead for workplaces across the sector. As always, our focus is on supporting you with practical, people-first HR and trusted advice.
We’re also celebrating a pretty big milestone this month, Bloom turned 15 last week! A huge thank you to all the clients, candidates, colleagues and friends who have been part of the journey so far.
Thank you for being part of the Bloom community. We’re really looking forward to working alongside you throughout the year ahead.
All the best, Natalie
Sector news
Australia's largest NFP remuneration survey
ProBono is now inviting members of the NFP workforce from all over Australia to take part in its annual remuneration survey. It is completely anonymous and takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
The survey is an essential resource for making informed decisions about staff compensation and benefits. Last year's survey analysed over 2,000 responses and covered 41 roles. Insights are available by role, sector, organisation size, location and budget.
All participants will receive 50% off the 2026 Salary Survey, and will entered into a draw for a charity off your choice to win a $500 donation.
The AHI is now inviting applications from both prospective mentees and mentors to join their program in 2026. The program gives participants the opportunity to connect with sector leaders, gain valuable insights and build relationships that not only shape your own career, but strengthen the sector too.
Full details, including an information pack and video to learn more about the program, are available on the ahi website here:
International Women’s Day on 8 March is just around the corner, which means now is the perfect time to start planning workplace activities and initiatives. Whether it’s a panel discussion, guest speaker, morning tea, mentoring event or internal campaign, early planning helps ensure activities are meaningful, inclusive and aligned with your organisation’s values.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give To Gain, highlights the power of reciprocity and collective support. By investing time, knowledge, resources, mentoring and advocacy into women’s advancement, we help create opportunities that benefit everyone. Supporting women isn’t about taking something away — it’s about multiplying impact. When women thrive, workplaces, communities and economies are stronger.
International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to recognise the contributions of women in your workplace, spark conversations about gender equity, and reinforce your commitment to inclusion. Even small initiatives can make a big impact when they’re thoughtful and well planned.
Check out the video on the right for an inspiring interview with Brooke Adamson, one of the 2025 series ambassadors for AusIMM, the peak body for the Australian resources sector.
Brooke shares her commitment to empathetic leadership, fostering a collaborative and positive work culture within her team and beyond, not just on IWD but throughout her career.
On a local level, colleagues in NSW can look forward to theahi's IWD event in Sydneyon 5 March. With the theme of 'Collective Leadership - Empowering Women to Balance the Scales,' the ahi team has lined up a wonderful panel from the sector to discuss collective leadership in social and affordable housing.
HR News
Employment Law Changes for 2026
We have previously reported on the incoming changes for 2026 as and when details have been confirmed.
Here is our summary of the four key changes to note:
1. Payday Super: Changes from 1 July 2026
Employers will be required to pay employees their super guarantee on payday, at the same time as salary and wages.
Employers don't need to wait until July to embed the changes into your payroll processes.
Through our partnership with Employment Hero, we can work with clients to prepare for the mandated changes. The incoming EH module 'Hello Clear' is compliant with Payday Super requirements and ready to be integrated into EH customer portals.
Check out the video above for a detailed overview of what employers, HR and payroll managers need to know.
Please reach out to Jenni Lawson, Bloom HR Consulting Manager, for any queries on Employment Hero integration and how we can help. To find out more, please contact us by calling the office on02 8114 4449or get in touch via the links below:
The 2021 review of the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 made recommendations for employers to select and meet gender equality targets, in order to accelerate progress towards gender equality.
These changes will take effect in April 2026 for employers with more than 500 direct employees.
As of 1 July 2026, eligible parents will be able to access up to 26 weeks of Paid Parental Leave (PPL). The increases to the amount of PPL available to eligible parents has been phased in over recent years, with an allowance of 22 weeks in 2024, and 24 weeks in 2025.
Bloom HR acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise it always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
