In brief - The Fair Work Commission's Wage Review
Panel (the Panel) handed down its 2018/19 minimum wage review on 30
May, awarding a 3% increase in the minimum wage and in modern award
rates of pay effective from 1 July 2019
New national minimum wage
The national minimum wage (NMW) will increase
to $19.49 per hour or $740.80 per week (previously $18.93 per hour
or $719.20 per week), a rise of $21.60 per week.
The Panel's decision reflects the smallest increase in the
last three years and is less than the proposed 6% increase (or
additional $43 per week) which the ACTU submitted was necessary to
establish a "living wage" when coupled with a further
5.5% increase in 2020.
In contrast, employer organisations were seeking a modest
minimum wage increase in line with the Consumer Price Index. On
average, employers submitted an increase of between 1.8% and 2% was
appropriate, with a number advocating that any increase should be
no more than 1.8%.
