The Expert Panel of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has handed down its decision in the Annual Wage Review 2024-25. Key elements of the decision include the following:

• Award minimum wages will be increased by 3.5 per cent.
  The National Minimum Wage will be increased to $948.00 per week, or $24.95 per hour.
• Junior, apprentice and trainee wage rates will be adjusted proportionately.
• Wage-related allowances and expense-related allowances will be increased in accordance with the usual formulas.
• The increases will be operative from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025.

The FWC also announced further proceedings to address any gender-based undervaluation in modern awards. The focus of the proceedings will be on professional classifications, being classifications requiring a university degree, which have not yet been reviewed under the gender undervaluation proceedings. The FWC has published a provisional list of awards covering these professional classifications.

Over the next few weeks, Ai Group will distribute Compliance Advices in relation to individual modern awards, setting out the new wage rates and allowances (if applicable) once they are determined by the FWC.