Union members have fought hard to secure a 3.5% increase to the minimum and award wages!
This week, the Fair Work Commission handed down their decision on the Annual Wage Review, which will take effect from 1 July.
This outcome is a win for workers, won by union members – with wage rises on the way for the three million Australians who rely on the minimum wage and awards.
What is the Annual Wage Review?
In Australia, the National Minimum Wage is set by the Fair Work Commission (FWC). This is the minimum hourly rate you can be paid for the work you do, regardless of your job or industry.
Every year, the FWC reviews the minimum wage (and award wages) to decide how much it should increase. This is called the Annual Wage Review, and it takes place around April to June, with the new rates coming into effect from 1 July.
To help make the decision, the Commission asks for submissions from interested parties on what they think should happen. And every year, it is the union movement who stands up to Big Business and fights for a fair increase that reflects the value of work and the cost of living.
This year, union members were calling for a 4.5% increase to the minimum and award wages.
What will this increase mean for workers?
This year’s decision delivers a 1.1% real wage increase, one of the largest real wage increases the Commission has awarded.
It means workers on the minimum wage will receive a weekly increase of $32, or an annual pay boost of $1,666 if working on a full-time basis.
This boost will help workers catch up on some of what they’ve lost over the past five years of the inflation fight and keep real wages moving in the ongoing effort to rebuild living standards.
Workers like William, who is a corporate security guard in regional Victoria. He’s paid under the security level 5 award rate and expects to see his pay increase by just over $1 an hour.
“The industry does need a pay rise… it’s overdue and it’ll make a difference for a lot of people.
That’s a dollar for me, that’s a dollar for my family, and for everyone else.”
William
Security guard
How can I learn more about the minimum wage?
Glad you asked – check out our factsheet for more details about the minimum wage in Australia and who it applies to.
What is the best way to get a pay rise?
By joining your union of course! Union members earn more than non-union members, on average.
As union members, our actions are never for the advancement of individuals alone, but to raise the floor for everyone. The more members we have, the more we can win.
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3.5% boost to workers’ wages on the way