Bigger pay slips for Australian workers

Workers in hospitality, tourism and aviation will benefit from the minimum wage rise, with full‑time workers seeing a minimum of $40 extra per week after the bump in pay came into effect on 1 October.

Workers under 111 other awards received their pay rise in July. More than 2.7 million workers, covered by the combined July and October award increases, will receive a pay bump due to the Fair Work Commission decision.

The government said the minimum wage increase was one of its pre-election priorities and boosting workers’ pay is a critical step to tackling cost-of-living pressures, alongside cheaper childcare and medicines.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said this month’s budget will take also forward initiatives from the Jobs and Skills Summit to build a bigger, better trained and more productive workforce, creating opportunities for more Australians.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Tony Burke, said this pay rise is higher than it otherwise would have been because the federal government actually argued in favour of a pay rise.

“Many low‑paid workers are young, female, in casual employment, and are far more likely to find themselves experiencing financial hardship,” he said.

“Many of these same workers were at the frontline of our pandemic response, keeping our supply chains moving and delivering essential services during the pandemic.

“Workers like these deserved this pay rise. And we’re going to keep fighting for them.”