Australia: Minimum Award Wages to increase by 3.5% from 1 July 2018

The national minimum wage will increase to $719.20 per week or $18.93 per hour.

Pursuant to the 2018 annual wage review ruling which was issued by the Fair Work Commission today:

• minimum rates of pay in Modern Awards will increase by 3.5%;
• the national minimum wage will increase to $719.20 per week or $18.93 per hour (an increase of $24.30 per week to the weekly rate or 64 cents per hour to the hourly rate);

The increase in minimum wages will take effect from 1 July 2018.

Given the above, employers should review their pay arrangements and ensure they are prepared for the increase in wages.

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