Record minimum wage increase welcomed

A record minimum wage increase handed down by the Fair Work Commission today to support vulnerable workers through the cost-of-living crisis, has been welcomed by Queensland unions.

An effective 8.6% increase has been announced for the 184,000 most vulnerable workers employed under the national minimum wage rate. 

The increase is comprised of a 5.75% annual wage increase, as well as a one-off boost delivered by an alteration to the reference rate from 1 July 2023.

The 1 in 4, or approximately 2.67 million, workers who rely on national award minimum wages will receive a 5.75% increase from 1 July 2023.

Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) Acting General Secretary Jacqueline King said the increases were delivered off the back of a strong campaign from union members to get wages moving.

“With stubbornly high inflation rates and a generation-defining cost-of-living-crisis, boosting the pay packets of our most vulnerable workers was more crucial than ever,” Ms King said.

“We are pleased to see the FWC deliver a substantial increase, building upon the 5.2% increase delivered last year.

“The decision is a direct rejection of the business lobby groups who wanted to see wages slashed in real terms.

“Instead, the FWC has handed down the largest minimum wage increase in Australian history.”

Ms King said further action was needed to support workers.

“Workers are only now coming out of a decade of flat wages growth and while it’s positive to see wages moving, it is not happening across the board.

“Many workers don’t know when their next pay rise is coming, so we need to make it easier for them to bargain through their unions for better pay and conditions.

“We also need to address other pressure points in the employment market including the unacceptably high rates of insecure and casual work.

“Workers in insecure and casual jobs are worried about whether they’ll still be working next month, let alone when they can expect a pay rise.

“We need to invest in good, secure jobs and look at how sham contracting and labour hire arrangements are undercutting wages.

“Queensland unions will continue to stand up and take action on pay rises and job security for all workers.”