Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian – Page: 2 : 3-Jun-26

The Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry says the latest increase in the minimum wage and award wages will cost about $11.7bn across the economy. The Australian Industry Group’s CEO Innes Willox says it will impose a significant burden on businesses when they are aleady facing growing cost pressures; he is particularly concerned about the Fair Work Commission’s decision to phase out the lowest award rate. Some 2.8 million workers on award rates will receive an above-inflation wage rise of 4.75 per cent from 1 July, while about 100,000 workers on the lowest pay rate will get a wage rise of six per cent. The national minimum wage will increase from $24.95 an hour to $26.44, lifting it above $1,000 per week for the first time. The minimum wage has risen by 30.1 per cent since Labor took office in May 2022.

CORPORATES
acci use AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY GROUP, AUSTRALIA. FAIR WORK COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY