BREAKING NEWS Millions of Australians to receive major pay rise as Fair Work Commission increases minimum wage: Find out how much more you'll get
The Fair Work Commission's increase marked the weakest rise since 2021, when a 2.5 per cent increase was awarded.
The annual wage review increase, coming into effect on July 1, was above the headline inflation rate of 2.4 per cent and in between what was sought by employers and unions.
The decision will affect 2.6million Australians, or one in five workers, who are employed under one of 121 awards, along with the 180,000 people on the minimum wage.
Fair Work Commission president Adam Hatcher delivered the industrial umpire's decision at 10am, AEST, on Tuesday, noting the low-paid are 'disproportionately female'.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry had argued for a 2.5 per cent increase that barely kept pace with inflation while the Australian Council of Trade Unions had argued for a 4.5 per cent rise.
The latest increase is much smaller compared with recent years, given inflation has moderated since reaching a 32-year high of 7.8 per cent in late 2022.
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