The highest wage increase in more than a decade.
On 15 June 2022, the Fair Work Commission minimum wage panel announced the 2022 annual wage review decision under the Fair Work Act 2009.
The FWC has applied wage increases as follows:
• $40 per week (5.2%) to the national minimum wage
• $40 per week to award wage rates up to and including $869.60 per week;
• Increases of 4.6% to award wage rates above $869.60 per week.
This year’s increase is the highest wage increase in more than a decade. In its Decision the FWC took into account the position of various parties, the ACTU’s claim of 5.5%, the ‘peak’ employer group positions, the AiG (2.5%) and ACCI (3.0%), and the submissions of the new Federal Government which argued for an increase of 5.1%. The FWC noted the ‘sharp increase’ in inflation, and the reductions in unemployment and underemployment. The FWC concluded that the changes in economic conditions justified the increase awarded, although noting the 0.5% increase in superannuation effective 1 July 2022.
The decision increases the national minimum wage by $40.00 (or 5.2%) from $772.60 per week to $812.60 per week based on a 38 hour week, or $21.38 per hour. For award covered employees, the minimum wage rates in modern awards up to $869.60 per week were also increased by $40.00 per week, and minimum wage rates above $869.60 per week were increased by 4.6%.
For most modern awards the wage increases were effective from the commencement of the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2022. Please note: The Superannuation Guarantee was increased to 10.5% from 1 July 2022.
Tree Contractors who are existing TTIA Members received updates to existing pay and allowance summaries outlining the impact of the wage review on awards that apply to the timber products industry.
If you are a Tree Contractor and not a TTIA Member, you are invited to contact the TTIA Employers Hotline on (02) 9264 0011 or email ttia@ttia.asn.au if you require further information re membership.