AUSTRALIA: Millions of workers in Australia are set to receive a salary increase.

Following an annual wage review by the body responsible for setting the national minimum wage, a decision has been made to increase the minimum wage by nearly 6 percent.

Under this adjustment, effective from July 1, the national minimum wage will increase from 24.95 AUD to 26.44 AUD per hour.

Approximately 100,000 minimum-wage workers will be directly impacted by this hike.

Additionally, an increase of 4.75 percent will be applied to award wages—the minimum rates applicable to various industries, businesses, and occupations.

Under this provision, around 2.8 million workers, representing a major portion of the total workforce, will benefit from the pay raise.

Since the award wage system determines workers’ base pay, working hours, and minimum working conditions, this increase will impact the income of workers across numerous sectors.

The government had recommended a minimum wage hike to counter rising living costs and curb inflation.

Currently, Australia’s annual inflation rate sits at around 4.2 percent, and government budget estimates suggest it could reach nearly 5 percent in the coming months.

Against this backdrop, the relevant commission announced the decision, stating that a wage increase was necessary to protect the purchasing power of workers.