This paper discusses the current position of wage setting in Australia, the new wage-setting system, three significant changes to the wage-setting system, Fair Work Australia's inaugural wage review and raises questions regarding the setting of safety net wages that take into account the needs of the low paid.
The 2009 Wages Decision of the Australian Fair Pay Commission has again
failed the increasing number of low income Australian Workers who
depend on the safety net. The Minimum Wage will remain unchanged at
$543.78 and no increase will be made to the Australian Pay and
Classification Scales.
The Australian Catholic Council for Employment Relations filed post-budget submissions to the Australian Fair Pay Commission 2009 Wages Review. The full document can be access via the following link.