Australia Raises National Minimum Wage (1)

Australia’s national weekly and hourly minimum wages increased July 1, while wage rates in awards generally increased by 4.6%, the country’s Fair Work Ombudsman said.

The national minimum wage increased to A$812.60 (U.S. $563.94) per week or A$21.38 per hour, up from A$772.60 per week or A$20.33 per hour, the ombudsman said in a news release. The national minimum wage applies to employees who are not covered by awards.

Award increases generally took effect July 1, but increases for 10 awards in the aviation, hospitality, and tourism industries take effect Oct. 1 instead, the ombudsman said.

Award provisions allowing ...