The new national minimum wage has increased by 1.75% and will now be $753.80 per week or $19.84 per hour. For those employees not covered by an Award or Enterprise Agreement, this will be the minimum wage from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2020.

For Award based employees, changes to Awards this year will be over three different dates, dependent on the Award your staff are covered under.

Group 1 Awards will increase minimum rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2020. These Awards are predominately those in essential services (Aged Care, Child Care, Health Professionals, Cleaning, Education)

Group 2 Awards will increase minimum rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 November 2020. These Awards include the Building and Construction Award, Clerks – Private Sector Award, Manufacturing Awards, Meat Industry and Real Estate Awards.

Group 3 Awards will not increase minimum rates until the first full pay period on or after 1 February 2021. These Awards involve sectors hit heavily by COVID-19 including; General Retail, Fast Food, Hair and Beauty, Restaurant and Vehicle Sales.

A full list of Awards in each of the groups is available on the Fair Work website www.fairwork.gov.au

Not sure what Award covers your staff or just want to check which allowances are required to form part of your wage payments? Contact wendy@gphr.com.au