Fair Work Australia has announced a 2.9 per cent increase to the country’s minimum wage, with the national wage rising to $606.40 per week, or $15.96 an our. The increase equates to an additional $17.10 for the country’s lowest paid.

 

The increase applies to minimum wages for junior employees, employees to whom training arrangements apply and employees with disability, and to piece rates through the operation of the methods applying to the calculation of those wages. 

 

"In this review we have decided that the relevant statutory considerations favour a moderate increase, which will improve the real value of award wages and assist the living standards of the low paid," Fair Work President Justice Ian Ross said.