Initial Submissions Filed in Annual Wage Review

Initial submissions have been filed with the Fair Work Commission in the Annual Wage Review 2024-2025 in which the Commission reviews modern award minimum wages and the national minimum wage (NMW) order.

On the employer side, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has proposed a “fair, reasonable, responsible, and sustainable increase to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and Modern Award Wages (MAW) of 2.5 per cent.” Likewise, Master Grocers Australia has called for a 2.5 per cent increase, as has Australian Business Industrial and Business NSW. 

The Australian Industry Group has gone fractionally higher in its submission, arguing that “any increase in award and minimum wages should not exceed 2.6 per cent.”

On the employee side, the Australian Council of Trade Unions has called for an increase of 4.5 per cent to the NMW and award wages.  Both the United Workers’ Union and Australian Services Union have backed a 4.5 per cent increase.

Meanwhile, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union has called for a huge increase to the NMW of 58.1 per cent over four years (14.5 per cent a year), arguing that it is necessary to provide workers with a wage that “meets the requirements for a decent life, promotes well-being, and fosters economic development.”

A decision by the Fair Work Commission Expert Panel is not expected before June.