The Fair Work Commission has made its wage decision today. It was the panel’s decision that the National Minimum Wage, and relevant award minimum rates, should increase by $32.10 per week, or 3.5%. This increase will be proportioned for apprentices and trainees.

The decision will lift the NMW from $915.90 to $948.00 a week and from $24.10 to $24.95 an hour.

The effective date for the vast majority of award will be from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025.

New Wage Sheets Coming

For Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award, including apprentice rates. Rates for the Clerks – Private Sector Award and rates for trainees will come into effect on the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025.

MEA will be releasing a new wages schedule in electronic copy as soon as the calculations and rates are confirmed by FWC. Based on previous years’ experience this will not be until late June.

Additional Notes

1. Employers operating under registered Enterprise Agreements will need to refer to the terms of their agreement to determine whether this wage increase will have any bearing on their rates.

2. Employers who pay over and above these minimum rates will be able to absorb this increase into the rates already paid. This wage increase will affect those Members whose employees are paid on rates in accordance with the modern awards.

3. The Modern Award summary notes will also be updated and a soft copy will be circulated to members via email. Members who have registered online will receive a hard copy in the mail.

4. This increase does not affect Western Australian sole traders, partnerships or non-constitutional employers.

Superannuation Increase

The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate will increase from 11.5% to 12% from 1 July 2025. This increase represents the final step in the legislated gradual increases to the minimum SG rate.

The SG rate applied is based on when you pay your eligible workers, not when they earned their income.

Example: working out correct super contribution rate – fortnightly pay period
Peter employs Sue. For the fortnightly pay period ending 30 June 2025, Sue’s ordinary time earnings are $3,000. Peter pays Sue for this work on 3 July 2025. The minimum super contribution for Sue for the pay period is:
• $3,000 × 12% = $360

Peter contributes $360 for the July to September quarter to Sue’s super fund by the quarterly due date of 28 October 2024.

The SG rate on the date the salary is paid applies. The SG rate increased to 12% on 1 July 2025. As Peter pays Sue after 1 July, the new rate is applied to calculate her SG.

For further information please contact the Workplace Relations Team on 1300 889 198.