4.75% Award Wage Increase; 5.97% to the National Minimum Wage

The Fair Work Commission has made its wage decision this week. It was the panel’s decision to split the wage increase.

Those workers who are covered by the National Minimum Wage – meaning they are award free – receive an increase of 5.97%. The new national minimum wage will be $26.44 per hour; up from $24.95 per hour.

Separately, the award minimum rates will be increased by 4.75%. Apprentice wage rates in modern awards are expressed as a percentage of the tradesperson classification rate. This means they will be affected by the relevant proportion of the 4.75% increase to the award classification rate.

The effective date for the award increase will be from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

New Wage Sheets Coming

For Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award, including apprentice rates. Rates for the Clerks – Private Sector Award and rates for trainees will come into effect on the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

MEA will be releasing a new wages schedule in electronic copy as soon as the calculations and rates are confirmed by FWC. Based on previous years’ experience this will not be until late June.

Additional Notes

1. Employers operating under registered Enterprise Agreements will need to refer to the terms of their agreement to determine whether this wage increase will have any bearing on their rates.
2. Employers who pay over and above these minimum rates will be able to absorb this increase into the rates already paid. This wage increase will affect those Members whose employees are paid on rates in accordance with the modern awards.
3. The Modern Award summary notes will also be updated and a soft copy will be circulated to members via email.
4. This increase does not affect Western Australian sole traders, partnerships or non-constitutional employers.

Superannuation

The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate remains at 12% set at 1 July 2025.

For further information please contact the Workplace Relations Team on 1300 889 198.