The Fair Work Commission has announced a $15.80 a week increase in the minimum wage, with a significant impact on all retailers and the industry as a whole. The Minimum Wage Panel has increased the National Minimum Wage, together with all Modern Award minimum rates of pay, by 2.4%.

The National minimum wage increase will take place from the 1st July 2016, and retailers must be aware and informed of the new rates and how they apply to their business.

For retailers, these changes will mean;

1. Employers who pay their employees at the National Minimum Wage or Modern Award rates of pay will need to apply the increase in the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2016;

2. Employers who currently pay above National Minimum Wage or Modern Award rates of pay are not obliged by this decision to increase their rates of pay, but need to ensure their rates remain at least as beneficial, once the increase is applied; and

3. Employers who pay under enterprise agreements should ensure that the base rates in those agreements remain at least equal to the new minimum Modern Award rates.=

For specific information regarding the decision, or assistance in assessing its impact on your business, please contact the ARA Employment Relations Team on 1300 368 041. For ARA members, the new wage rates will be updated and available on the ERMS.

If you have not joined the ARA, become a member here for detailed industry updates (including the revised Wages Rates) and a host of other benefits.