The revised Federal Industrial Award pay rates took effect from 1 July 2023. View more information here and at the Institute's Minimum wages page on HR Hub.
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Each financial year the minimum wages for Australian employees are reviewed and set by both the Fair Work Commission (FWC), for all national system employees, and the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC), for all employees working in an unincorporated business in Western Australia (WA) only, and the WA public sector.
The National Minimum Wage and award rates of pay generally increase annually. This increase will normally take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year.
When minimum wages increase, all employers are required to pass on the increase to employees who are currently being paid on the minimum wage or award minimum rate of pay, or to review current over-award wages to ensure employees are not being underpaid once the wage increase has come into effect.
Minimum wages – all states (excluding WA)
The minimum wages for national system employees working in an architecture firm are mainly found in a modern award such as the Architects Award 2020 or the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2020, an enterprise agreement or a transitional instrument.
Some national system employees however may not be covered by an award or an enterprise agreement. In these circumstances, a national minimum wage order provides a safety net of minimum wages which must be paid to award-free employees.
Minimum wages – WA only
At present WA is the only state operating under two industrial relations (IR) systems. As a consequence, the wages and entitlements of employees differ depending on which IR system the business falls under.
All employees in the national IR system in WA – which generally includes those employed by an incorporated architecture firm – will continue to be entitled to minimum rates of pay under the relevant modern award. All state system employees – those usually employed by an unincorporated architecture firm, and those employed in the WA public sector – will receive will derive minimum wages and entitlements from their relevant state award, agreement or industrial instrument.
Superannuation
It is essential that employers stay abreast of any legislative increases and amendments as changes may affect your business and impact on workplace obligations and employee entitlements. Refer Acumen note Superannuation.
Further reading
- Fair Work Commission - Architects Award 2020
The Australian Institute of Architects HR Hub provides national system and state system wage overviews and guides, including updated Architects Award 2020 Wage guide for 2023/2024 - see details below:
Disclaimer
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