How much will wages go up?
The Fair Work Commission handed down its Annual Wage Review decision this morning, increasing award wages by 4.75%. This increase will apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.
This outcome is an above-inflation pay rise to help retail, fast food and warehouse workers as the cost of living continues to rise.
2026 wage increase will benefit millions of working Australians in retail, fast food, warehousing and other industries.
If you are an award-covered worker, your hourly rate will increase from 1 July. The base hourly rate for a full-time level 1 retail worker will increase from $26.55 to $27.81 per hour.
Awards getting a pay increase include:
- General Retail Industry Award
- Fast Food Industry Award
- Hair & Beauty Industry Award
- Pharmacy Industry Award
- Storage Services & Wholesale Award
- Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award
If you are covered by an SDA-negotiated Enterprise Agreement, this increase will also flow onto your pay from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.
The base hourly rate for a casual level 1 retail worker will increase from $33.19 to $34.76 per hour.
How was this pay rise won?
The SDA and Australian Unions made strong submissions to the Annual Wage Review because workers need pay rises that get ahead of inflation.
This win is only possible because union members like you stood up and made your voice heard. Nearly 8,000 SDA members responded to our Annual Wage Review survey, sharing how cost of living pressures are affecting their lives. Those stories helped to build our case to win this pay rise.
We will continue to push for better wages and a genuine living wage for SDA members.
Thanks for supporting our campaign for better wages this year and we’ll update you when your wage increase comes into effect from 1 July.
