Australia’s lowest-paid workers get $40 boost in their pay packets
More than 400,000 low-paid Australian workers will see a boost to their pay slips after a major decision by the industrial umpire.
Employer groups are pushing for a minimum wage increase of no more than 2 per cent. Photo: ABC
Affected full-time workers will receive an extra $40 a week after the Fair Work Commission increased the minimum wage and some associated industrial awards.
The cash is starting to hit bank accounts in the first pay cycle since the 4.6 per cent increase.
Workers in hospitality, tourism and aviation are among those who will benefit.
After forming government, Labor backed a pay increase for low-wage workers in a formal submission to the nation’s wage authority.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the boost would help Australians tackle the rising costs of living.
“We must get wages rising again and make health care, child care and housing more affordable while we work to grow the economy,” he said.
The minimum wage was bumped up 5.2 per cent in July, just above the inflation figure at the time.
Award pay rises were deferred until October.
More than 2.7 million Australians benefited from the minimum wage and award rises.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the upcoming budget would build on the government’s jobs and skills summit to create more opportunities and boost workforce participation.
