At this time every year, in both the Federal and State Industrial Relations Commissions a review of minimum and Award wages is undertaken. While employees generally celebrate the increase that the review brings, employers, particularly small business owners understandably hold their breath.
The Fair Work Commission has today (6th June 2017) made its Decision with regard to proposed increase in the National Minimum Wage as follows:
[13] We have determined that it is appropriate to increase the NMW and the factors identified in our decision have led us to award an increase of 3.3 per cent. The national minimum wage will be $694.90 per week, or $18.29 per hour.
The hourly rate has been calculated by dividing the weekly rate by 38, on the basis of the 38- hour week for a full-time employee. This constitutes an increase of $22.20 per week to the weekly rate or 59cents per hour to the hourly rate.
[14] Having regard to the proposed NMW and the other relevant considerations, we also consider that it is appropriate to adjust modern award minimum wages. We have also decided to increase modern award minimum wages by 3.3 per cent. Weekly wages will be rounded to the nearest 10 cents.
The increase of 3.3 percent may also act to offset proposed cuts to penalty rates. Increases will be due and payable from the first pay period on or after the 1st July.
In the meantime the State Wage Case reconvenes to assess to what extent the Federal Decision may impact on any State determination of minimum rates of pay.
The information contained in this article does not constitute and should not be relied upon as ‘legal advice’. Workwise recommends that legal advice be sought from a suitably qualified legal practitioner prior to any action being taken. Such advice may be accessed via Workwise