While the Commission independently sets wages, the Government's active advocacy for workers has supported three consecutive significant increases: 5.2% in 2022, 8.6% in 2023, and now 3.75% in 2024.

The cumulative impact has been substantial. The minimum wage has risen from $20.33 per hour when Labor took office to $24.10 today - representing a $3.77 per hour increase. For full-time minimum wage workers, this translates to an additional $143 per week or $7,451 annually before tax, taking their annual salary from $40,175 to $47,627 in just over two years.

The latest 3.75% increase will directly benefit 2.6 million workers on minimum and award wages. From July 2024, the National Minimum Wage is set at $915.90 per week or $24.10 per hour, with casual employees receiving a minimum of $30.13 per hour including their 25% loading.

"We believe one of the best ways to deal with cost of living pressures is to ensure workers earn enough to provide for their loved ones and to get ahead.

That’s why we went in to bat for Australians, recommending the Commission ensure real wages for low-paid workers don’t go backwards.

The previous Liberal and National Government never advocated for a pay rise for low paid workers. The improved outcomes in the last three Annual Wage Reviews coincide with a Government that supported working families.

After a decade of deliberate wage stagnation and suppression under the Coalition, under Labor, real wages are growing again – and we’ve seen a return to real wages growth faster than forecast.

Since the election, nominal wages have been growing at an annualised average of 3.9 per cent, compared to 2.2 per cent for our predecessors."

[1] https://alp.org.au/news/pay-rise-for-low-paid-workers-and-women/
[2] https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/workplace-laws/annual-wage-review/2023-2024-annual-wage-review

[3] https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jun/03/australia-minimum-wage-3-75-percent-pay-rise

[4] https://alp.org.au/news/pay-rise-for-low-paid-workers-and-women/

[5] https://alp.org.au/news/workplace-reforms-deliver-results/#:~:text=There%20has%20been%20a%20$5.30,in%20just%20over%20two%20years