This morning, 19 June 2020, the Fair Work Commission has handed down the Annual Wage Review decision. In recognition of the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority decision has awarded a modest increase of 1.75% ($13 per week) in response to ACTU calls for a 4% increase and employer/industry group calls for no increase. This represents an average increase of $13 per week. The increase will take effect in three stages: on 1 July 2020 (Group 1 Awards); on 1 November 2020 (Group 2 Awards) and 1 February 2021 (Group 3 Awards). Group 1 Awards are those less affected by the pandemic and with a large group of low paid words, including women (e.g.aged care, banking and finance, education, health, children’s services). Group 2 Awards cover industries and sectors less adversely affected by the pandemic (e.g. building and construction, clerks, electrical, road and transport,mining) but not as badly as Group 3 Awards (e.g. retail, hospitality, hair and beauty, aviation).
You can read a summary of the decision here:
