FWC 3.5% increase good news, but further to go to address historical decline in real wages
FWC 3.5% increase good news, but further to go to address historical decline in real wages | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news FWC 3.5% increase good news, but further to go to address historical decline in real wages 2025-06-03 The Fair Work Commission’s 3.5% increase is good news for workers, but there is still more work to be done to restore the purchasing power of the minimum wage for the almost 3 million workers on low pay.
This is especially justified in view of new evidence that raising the minimum wage has had no impact on inflation over the last 35 years, new data finds, despite arguments from business groups to the contrary. The real wages of award workers have gone backwards over the last four years, falling short of adequately compensating low paid workers for increases in living costs.
The Greens will continue to support union proposals for wage increases for minimum and award wage workers and to help address systemic gender pay inequality. Lines attributable to Senator Barbara Pocock: “Given the evidence that minimum wage rises have had no impact on inflation over the last thirty-five years, it is disingenuous for business to use this argument against workers, and gives the Fair Work Commission a stronger incentive to raise the rate.” “The FWC’s increase of 3.5% will help low paid workers, but there is still further to go to make up for the reality of long term losses in real wage rates.
These workers are still struggling through a cost of living crisis and continue to have to make ends meet on a low wage. “Today’s decision by the FWC is good news for women as it goes some way to addressing the wage gap in feminised care sectors, which have historically been undervalued and under-compensated. “Low paid workers are already facing an uphill battle as wages have failed to keep up with the cost of living.
We need to continue to raise the minimum wage to a liveable level and give people a chance to get ahead. The widening gap between the increasing incomes of those at the top of the labour market which have been increasing rapidly and those at the bottom creates a strong case to look after those on low pay. These are the people who keep our economy and care system in particular functioning: we all depend on them.
They deserve decent pay that keeps up with their costs. “The FWC should prioritise the needs of Australia’s lowest paid workers, not the wealthy top end of town. We need to call out the real perpetrators of inflation - big corporations pursuing big profits - instead of holding back low paid workers.
Profits are driving inflation not wages and this decision puts further pressure on workers who are trying to make ends meet on a low wage.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
We acknowledge that these lands were stolen and sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. The Australian Greens Authorised by Gemmia Burden & Caroline Atkinson, The Greens, 1 Anthony Rolfe Avenue, Gungahlin, 2912 Site & copyright information Privacy Your Safety View this site in High Contrast mode We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.
Find out more about how we use cookies and how you can avoid trackers online. Learn more No, thanks OK