Australia's minimum wage increase takes effect from July 1
The Fair Work Ombudsman has reminded employers to ensure that eligible staff get the 3.5% minimum wage hike increase, which takes effect from July 1.
"Employers must apply the new minimum wage immediately from the first full pay period on or after 1 July to eligible employees," said Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth in a statement.
"Employers and employees can also use our Pay Calculator to check which award applies to their industry or occupations, or contact us for help."
The latest minimum wage means Australia's lowest-paid workers will receive $24.95 per hour, or $948 a week, an increase from the previous $24.10 per hour and $915.90 per week.
The increase also covers minimum wage rates that are within awards, according to the FWO.
"About 20.7% of all employees in Australia are paid at the minimum wage rates in industry and occupational awards," it said.
For casual workers entitled to the National Minimum Wage, they must get at least $31.19 per hour, which includes the 25% casual loading.
A total of 2.9 million award workers are expected to benefit from the latest minimum wage hike, according to Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth.
And with the latest inflation figures at 2.4%, Rishworth said this means National Minimum Wage and award workers will get a real wage increase above inflation of 1.1%.
"Today's real wage increase provides further relief to Australia's lowest-paid workers, who continue to face cost-of-living pressures in an environment where inflation has returned to the Reserve Bank's target band, unemployment remains low and interest rates are coming down," the minister said in a statement.
