Our case to abolish junior rates of pay at 18 years old is heading to the Fair Work Commission this month.
Last year, we launched a groundbreaking case in the Fair Work Commission, seeking to deliver an adult wage at an adult age for retail, fast food and pharmacy workers.
We’re asking the Fair Work Commission to change the Retail, Fast Food and Pharmacy Awards to remove junior rates of pay for workers aged between 18-20 years old. We’re also seeking to lift pay rates for some under 18 workers too.
From October 20 until November 7, a full bench of the Fair Work Commission will be hearing the evidence related to this case.
Further hearings will then occur at the end of November.
What we’re calling for:
We’re seeking to remove the 70% rate for 18 year olds, 80% for 19 years old and in fast food and pharmacy, the 90% rate for 20 year olds.
We’re also seeking to lift the under 16 years old rate of pay to 50% and the 17 year old to 75%.
We’re also pushing for any changes to also apply to enterprise agreements that contain junior rates, to ensure all workers are better off.
| Age | Current Retail Rates | Current Fast Food Rates | Current Pharmacy Rates | SDA Proposed Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21+ years old | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 20 years old | 100%* | 90% | 90% | 100% |
| 19 years old | 80% | 80% | 80% | 100% |
| 18 years old | 70% | 70% | 70% | 100% |
| 17 years old | 60% | 60% | 60% | 75% |
| 16 years old | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Under 16 years old | 45% | 40% | 45% | 50% |
*General Retail Industry Award pays 90% for the first 6 months of employment
Why we’re fighting to abolish junior rates
We think if you’re old enough to drive a car, buy alcohol, and vote, you should be paid like an adult.
For too long, young workers have been discriminated against because of their age.
New Zealand has made its junior rates of pay fairer and research has found little discernible difference in employment outcomes for young workers.
Employers’ arguments for continued discriminatory rates of pay simply do not stack up, and we will not take a backwards step.
Young workers are just as impacted by economic pressures such as the rising cost of living and the housing crisis. Paying legal adults less only compounds economic inequality and delays financial independence.