Enterprise bargaining delivering stronger wage growth for workers

New data reveals that enterprise agreements are delivering higher wage increases as the Albanese Labor Government’s reforms continue to help Australians earn more. The March quarter Trends in Federal Enterprise Bargaining report shows more than 2.6 million Australian workers are benefiting from stronger wage growth through enterprise bargaining agreements. Wages under enterprise agreements have now grown faster than the Wage Price Index for seven consecutive quarters, showing that workers on agreements are getting stronger wage growth than across the economy.

Private sector agreements delivered average annual wage increases of 4.1%, while public sector agreements delivered 3.5%. The Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act was passed by the Albanese Labor Government in December 2022 to improve wages, reinvigorate enterprise bargaining, address the gender pay gap and improve job security. Today’s figures show these reforms are delivering for Australian workers.

Around 34.6% of Australian employees now have their pay and conditions set through enterprise agreements. Enterprise bargaining activity remained steady with 723 enterprise agreements approved in the March quarter, covering 117,900 employees. The full report is now available online Quotes Attributable to Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations: “These figures again show the Albanese Government’s reforms to reinvigorate enterprise bargaining are delivering stronger wage growth for millions of Australian workers.

“Workers on agreements are seeing their pay go further, helping them manage everyday costs. “These figures reveal more Australians are engaging with enterprise bargaining, showing confidence in a system that supports higher pay and better conditions.”