Get across the minimum wage increase

Increases to award rates and the national minimum wage are due to take effect from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2016. If you are an employer, you need to ensure you are across the changes.

A 2.4% wage increase applies to employees whose pay rates come from:

• a modern award
• the national minimum wage
• a registered agreement (but only in certain cases)

The increase does not apply to employees who are already getting paid more than the new rate applicable under their award or registered agreement.

Most employees get their pay rates from an award or enterprise agreement. However, if there is no award or enterprise agreement that covers an employee’s job, then they are entitled to the national minimum wage. The new national minimum wage will be $672.70 (up from $656.90) per week or $17.70 per hour (up from $17.29).

The Fair Work Ombudsman is updating pay tools with the new rates for each award. Sign up to the My Account service to access the new rates and other useful information using this link.