Australian Minimum Wage to Rise 4.75 Percent From July 1

The Fair Work Commission ordered the national minimum wage to increase 4.75 percent from 1 July, raising the lowest ongoing hourly rate from nearly $24.95 to $26.44. Nearly 3 million workers on award wages will receive the 4.75 percent rise, while about 100,000 of the lowest-paid employees will receive a 6 percent increase.

Justice Adam Hatcher, president of the commission, said the decision was particularly challenging because of surging fuel prices and existing inflationary pressures.

He noted that falling living standards had hit the lowest-paid workers hardest and justified additional measures to protect more vulnerable employees. Unions had sought a 6 percent increase after last month’s budget projected inflation reaching 5 percent in the year to June. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry had called for a 3.5 percent rise.

The previous minimum wage increase was 3.5 percent for 2025-26. The cost of living has been the top concern for Australian households since inflation rose sharply following the Covid-19 lockdowns.