On 31 March 2026, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) issued a major decision concerning applications made by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA) regarding junior rates in three awards, including the General Retail Industry Award 2020 and the Fast Food Industry Award 2020.

The FWC has decided, in broad terms, to vary the Awards such that employees aged 18 and over are entitled to the adult rate of pay for their classification level if they have been employed by their employer for more than six months (however, this element of the decision is being contested by the SDA). The FWC has proposed transitional arrangements for implementing the variations. Parties have an opportunity to file submissions and evidence regarding those proposed arrangements.

Australian Industry Group played a leading role in the proceeding and will continue to in the next phase of the matter.