Three wins for workers from today

The first of July is an important date on workers’ calendars!

It’s often when union-won pay rises and changes to work laws take effect.

This year we’ve got increases to minimum wages, pay day super and more paid parental leave.

Nice, eh? Let’s talk details.

Boost to the minimum wage and award wages

Thanks to union members campaigning around the Annual Wage Review, nearly three million workers will see their pay go up.

For workers who are paid according to an industry-specific minimum pay rate (set out in awards); these pay rates are increasing by at least 4.75%.

The National Minimum Wage applies to workers who are not covered by an award or an agreement; it’s increasing to $26.44 per hour.

The new pay rates will take effect from the first full pay cycle after 1 July – so it’s really important that you’re regularly checking your next few payslips to ensure you’re getting paid correctly.

PS. Just because you’re not paid according to an award rate or the minimum wage doesn’t mean you’re not in line to get a pay rise – check your agreement or contract!

Pay day super

Your superannuation must now be paid on the same day that you get paid your wages!

Previously, your employer only had to pay your super every quarter (making it harder for you to keep track of whether you have been paid correctly, and easier for dodgy employers to steal your super).

But after years of campaigning, unions won a change to the law that means workers must receive super with their regular pay cycle (it must reach your super account within 7 business days of your pay day).

You know what that means: yup, you gotta be keeping an eye on your super account to check that you’re receiving your employer’s contributions in line with your pay days.

This change is a huge win for workers that will make it much easier to detect unpaid super – plus, it means a bigger balance is compounding; boosting your long-term retirement savings!

More paid parental leave

The maximum amount of paid parental leave available is increasing by two weeks – to 26 weeks in total.

(The rate of pay will also increase, because it is tied to the minimum wage).

This change means working parents have access to more paid time away from work to look after their new child.

This change was one of the huge improvements to workers’ rights won by union members, in recent years!

The best day to join your union was yesterday

…but the second best is today: you’ll have a whole year of membership fees to claim as a tax deduction come July next year.

Plus, workers who are union members earn $250 more per week, than workers who aren’t.

And the more workers who are members; the stronger our movement; the bigger and better changes we can keep winning.