The Fair Work Commission has increased the National Minimum Wage and modern award minimum wages by 3.75%, to take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024. The primary consideration was costs of living pressures faced by employees paid at modern award rates, but the Fair Work Commission declined to increase award rates significantly above the rate of inflation, citing a lack of growth in labour productivity in the last four years, as well as the expected impact of the Stage 3 tax cuts and Budget cost-of-living measures. The Fair Work Commission has also determined to commence Commission-initiated proceedings to address gender undervaluation, including in the areas of early childhood education, disability home care, and social and community services.

We will provide access to updated Fair Work Ombudsman pay schedules for a number of modern awards covering Catholic agencies once available. Where CER is the bargaining representative for a current enterprise agreement, we will review the relevant pay rates to ensure they remain above pay rates in the comparable modern award, and advise affected Catholic agencies accordingly.  If your organisation needs assistance regarding the increases, please email your enquiry to enquiry@cer.catholic.org.au, or contact us on 02 9189 5999.