Australian Minimum Wage July 2021 – Australian Information

2021/2022 Australian Minimum Wage.

The Australian government has announced an increase in the minimum wage from July 2021.

Australia’s minimum wage will rise to $20.33 an hour from 1 July 2021.

This will be an extra $18.80 per week, taking the weekly pay to $772.60 a week for full-time workers.

Due to pressure on many small businesses, due to COVID restrictions, the effective date for the minimum wage increase can be held back to September or November.

Most businesses that have retail workers on award conditions, can choose to delay giving those pay increases until 1 September 2021.

Businesses in the aviation, tourism, fitness and certain other retail sectors can choose to delay paying the rise until 1 November 2021.

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The views from the three main groups involved:

The Government however has requested that the Panel choose a small increase this year, taking into account the importance of creating jobs for Australians and ensuring the viability of the businesses, particularly small businesses, which provide the jobs which are crucial to the economic recovery and the wellbeing of Australian families.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), has requested a 3.5% increase, $26 per week.

Some employer groups have argued for a freeze on wages this year, to allow them time to recover from the pandemic crisis. This is based on many employers having lost substantial financial sums during the last year.

Who Decides on the Minimum Wage in Australia?

The Fair Work Commission is responsible for reviewing and setting minimum wages for employees in the national workplace relations system.

The annual wage review is generally conducted in the second half of the financial year, from March to June.

The Fair Work Commission Expert Panel is made up of the President, three other full-time members and 3 part-time members.

https://www.fwc.gov.au/…/annual-wage-reviews
Expert panel for annual wage reviews

The 2020-21 minimum wage was $753.80 for a standard week, or $39,197 per year. That was 52.7% of the Median Full Time age.

This chart shows the 2020 minimum wage rates for the lower income Award rates in Australia.

Previous Years Minimum Wage in Australia

2021 Australian Minimum Wage rate $20.33 per hour or $772.60 per week.
2020 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $19.84 per hour or $753.80 per week.
2019 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $19.49 per hour or $740.80 per week, from July 2019.
2018 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $18.93 per hour or $719.20 per week, from July 2018.
2017 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $18.29 per hour or $694.90 per week, from July 2017.
2016 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $17.70 per hour or $672.70 per week, from July 2016.
2015 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $17.29 per hour or $656.90 per week, from July 2015.
2014 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $16.87 per hour or $640.90 per week, from July 2014.
2013 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $16.37 per hour or $622.20 per week, from July 2013.
2012 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $15.96 per hour or $606.40 per week, from July 2012.
2011 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $15.51 per hour or $589.30 per week, from July 2011.
2010 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $15.00 per hour or $569.90 per week, from July 2010.
2009 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $14.31 per hour or $543.78 per week, from July 2009.
2008 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $14.31 per hour or $543.78 per week, from October 2008.
2007 Australian Minimum Wage rate was $13.74 per hour or $522.12 per week, from October 2007.