Millions of Australian workers are being urged to check their pay slips this month as minimum wage and award wage increases begin flowing through following the latest Annual Wage Review.
From the first full pay period after 1 July, workers covered by modern awards must receive a 4.75 per cent wage increase. Around 100,000 workers on the lowest award rates are entitled to a 6 per cent increase.
The changes will lift Australia’s minimum full-time weekly wage above $1,000 for the first time, adding $56 a week for the lowest-paid full-time worker. Around three million award-reliant workers are expected to receive pay increases.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is encouraging employees to compare their final June pay slip with their first full pay slip after 1 July to ensure the new rates have been correctly applied.
ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said workers should make checking their pay a priority this month.
“It’s important that everyone who is affected checks their pay slips this month to ensure their employer is paying what unions fought for and so they can experience the cost-of-living relief that comes from extra pay”
“July is pay rise month for millions of Australian workers. It’s not just those on award wages, but many collective agreements have pay rises that also kick in on 1 July. It’s important that everyone who is affected checks their pay slips this month to ensure their employer is paying what unions fought for and so they can experience the cost-of-living relief that comes from extra pay.”
Ms McManus said recent changes to workplace laws meant employers who deliberately failed to pass on legally required wage increases could face penalties.
“No one wants to be a victim of wage theft. The Albanese Labor Government brought in laws to crack down on those employers who withhold the pay rises they are legally required to pass on. This includes fines and possible criminal sanctions for the most serious cases. Most employers do the right thing, but there are always some who do not and hope their employees don’t notice.”
She said the annual wage increases reflected Australia’s industrial relations system rather than voluntary decisions by employers.
“These pay rises are not automatic and are not because employers are volunteering them – they are because of the Australian union movement and the important institutions we have that ensure we are not like other parts of the world where workers rarely get regular pay rises.”
Workers who believe they have not received the correct pay increase are being encouraged to keep copies of their pay slips and seek assistance from their union or contact Australian Unions.
“If something doesn’t add up on your payslip, keep it, call your union or Australian Unions on 1300 486 466 to get help to recover what you are owed.”
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