We answer your most frequently asked questions about the 1.75 per cent minimum wage increase and deliver the must-have tools for helping you work through the change.
You can find the full decision by the Fair Work Commission Full Bench (FWCFB) from June 2020 here.
The effective date of the wage and allowance increase has been staggered to allow more preparation time for industries that had been hurt by the COVID-19 economic crisis.
For industries which the FWCFB identified as less affected, the increase takes effect from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2020.
For those considered to be more significantly affected, the increase will take effect from the first pay period on or after 1 November 2020.
For the worst-affected industries, the increase won't take effect until the first pay period on or after 1 February 2021.
For group 1, 2 and 3 lists, see the table at the bottom of this article.
The Fair Work Ombudsman will be updating its pay and conditions tools as the changes come into effect.
What if I already pay above minimum wage?
If you are currently paying an employee more than the new minimum wage, you don't need to increase their salary.
What if my employee is on JobKeeper?
The minimum wage applies to any work an employee performs while they're on JobKeeper if they get their pay rate from an award or the National Minimum wage.
Why is my industry not in the worst-hit category?
The FWCFB mostly used data on job losses and decline in total wages across broad industry classifications to assess the worst-hit sectors.
As a result, the groupings don't take into account the differing impact the pandemic is having on sectors within these classifications.
Supported wage system
The minimum amount payable under the supported wage system provisions of the modern awards increased from $87 per week to $89 per week from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2020.
If you have questions or concerns about implementing the minimum wage increase we encourage you to contact our Employee Relations Advice Centre team on 9365 7660 or email [email protected].
Minimum wage increase start dates
Group 1: 1 July 2020
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award 2020
Aged Care Award 2010
Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award 2020
Banking, Finance and Insurance Award 2020
Cemetery Industry Award 2020
Children’s Services Award 2010
Cleaning Services Award 2020
Corrections and Detention (Private Sector) Award 2020
Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award 2020
Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2010
Electrical Power Industry Award 2020
Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020
Funeral Industry Award 2010
Gas Industry Award 2020
Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020
Medical Practitioners Award 2020
Nurses Award 2010
Pharmacy Industry Award 2020
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010
State Government Agencies Award 2020
Water Industry Award 2020
Group 2: 1 November 2020
Aluminium Industry Award 2020
Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020
Aquaculture Industry Award 2020
Architects Award 2020
Asphalt Industry Award 2020
Australian Government Industry Award 2016
Black Coal Mining Industry Award 2010
Book Industry Award 2020
Broadcasting, Recorded Entertainment and Cinemas Award 2010
Building and Construction General On-site Award 2010
Business Equipment Award 2020
Car Parking Award 2020
Cement, Lime and Quarrying Award 2020
Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020
Coal Export Terminals Award 2020
Concrete Products Award 2020
Contract Call Centres Award 2020
Cotton Ginning Award 2020
Dredging Industry Award 2020
Educational Services (Post-Secondary Education) Award 2020
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2010
Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2010
Gardening and Landscaping Services Award 2020
Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award 2010
Higher Education Industry-Academic Staff-Award 2020
Higher Education Industry-General Staff-Award 2020
Horticulture Award 2010
Hydrocarbons Field Geologists Award 2020
Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award 2020
Joinery and Building Trades Award 2010
Journalists Published Media Award 2020
Labour Market Assistance Industry Award 2020
Legal Services Award 2020
Local Government Industry Award 2020
Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020
Marine Towage Award 2020
Maritime Offshore Oil and Gas Award 2020
Market and Social Research Award 2020
Meat Industry Award 2020
Mining Industry Award 2020
Miscellaneous Award 2020
Mobile Crane Hiring Award 2010
Oil Refining and Manufacturing Award 2020
Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award 2020
Pastoral Award 2010
Pest Control Industry Award 2020
Pharmaceutical Industry Award 2010
Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2010
Port Authorities Award 2020
Ports, Harbours and Enclosed Water Vessels Award 2020
Poultry Processing Award 2020
Premixed Concrete Award 2020
Professional Diving Industry (Industrial) Award 2020
Professional Employees Award 2020
Rail Industry Award 2020
Real Estate Industry Award 2020
Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award 2020
Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020
Salt Industry Award 2010
Seafood Processing Award 2020
Seagoing Industry Award 2020
Security Services Award 2020
Silviculture Award 2020
Stevedoring Industry Award 2020
Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020
Sugar Industry Award 2020
Supported Employment Services Award 2020
Surveying Award 2020
Telecommunications Services Award 2010
Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Associated Industries Award 2010
Timber Industry Award 2010
Transport (Cash in Transit) Award 2020
Waste Management Award 2020
Wool Storage, Sampling and Testing Award 2010
Group 3: 1 February 2020
Air Pilots Award 2020
Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020
Airline Operations-Ground Staff Award 2020
Airport Employees Award 2020
Alpine Resorts Award 2020
Amusement, Events and Recreation Award 2020
Commercial Sales Award 2020
Dry Cleaning and Laundry Industry Award 2020
Fast Food Industry Award 2010
Fitness Industry Award 2010
General Retail Industry Award 2010
Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010
Horse and Greyhound Training Award 2020
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020
Live Performance Award 2010
Mannequins and Models Award 2020
Marine Tourism and Charter Vessels Award 2020
Nursery Award 2020
Professional Diving Industry (Recreational) Award 2020
Racing Clubs Events Award 2010
Racing Industry Ground Maintenance Award 2020
Registered and Licensed Clubs Award 2010
Restaurant Industry Award 2020
Sporting Organisations Award 2020
Travelling Shows Award 2020
Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020
Wine Industry Award 2010
