Minimum wages increase by 3% – no exception for farmers affected by drought

Each financial year, the Fair Work Commission (Commission) is required to review modern award minimum wages and the national minimum wage and make a decision as to whether to increase them. Earlier this month, the Commission conducted its review and decided on increasing the minimum wages by 3%.

Here is the breakdown of this increase to the national minimum wage:

Significance for the agribusiness industry

This will have a widespread impact on the industry which employs many award-covered employees and employees who are paid the national minimum wage. The increase in labour costs will be particularly unwelcome for farmers or businesses who have been affected by the drought and are struggling with increased competition and costs of business.