Fair Work Commission Announcement of 1.75% Increase to Minimum Wages

On 19 June 2020, the Fair Work Commission announced a 1.75% increase to minimum wages. This will apply to all Award wages.

Non‑Award or agreement employees have also been awarded an increase pursuant to the new National minimum wage which is now set at $753.80 per week or $19.84 per hour. The increase to the Non‑Award and non‑agreement wages applies from the first full period starting on or after 1 July 2020.

The increase to the Awards does not all occur on the same date and the first group of Awards to receive the increase from 1 July 2020 includes:

• Frontline health care and social assistance workers
• Teachers and childcare workers
• Other essential services

Group 2 Awards increase from 1 November 2020 and they include:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• A range of other industries

Group 3 Awards increase from 1 February 2021 and they include:

• Accommodation and food services
• Arts and recreation services
• Aviation
• Retail
• Tourism

Access to a full list of the Awards contained in each group can be found on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

It is essential that you review your employment arrangements to ensure that you are complying with the minimum terms and conditions of any relevant Award/agreement or National minimum wage.

There are penalties for individuals and corporations for failing to pay the correct wages and potential reputational harm to an employer if underpayment occurs.

Please contact our Workplace Relations team if you have any queries.