The SDA is preparing a strong case to win real pay rises for SDA members on July 1.
Every year, the Fair Work Commission reviews the minimum and award wages and decides if they should increase and if so, by how much each July. This is called the Annual Wage Review.
The Commission makes its decision based on the submissions it receives from unions, employers, and the government and factors in the current economic conditions.
The SDA and the union movement have consistently helped deliver real wage increases to millions of Australians by advocating to lift pay rates in the Annual Wage Review.
In 2024, thanks to the union movement, millions of workers received a 3.75% pay rise.
This might seem like commonsense, but every year without fail, employer groups push to keep your wages low – or not increase them at all.
The Annual Wage Review impacts millions of workers across Australia including most retail, fast food and warehousing workers.
While interest rates are finally going down and inflation has steadied, we know many workers and their families are still struggling.
The Federal Government’s position on your wages matters.
Along with unions and employers, the Federal Government also has the opportunity to make a submission to the Annual Wage Review.
Since the Labor Party formed government in 2022, they have stood side by side with the union movement and advocated for real pay rises each year.
Their support has paid off for workers. Annual wage growth now sits at 3.2% and has increased more in the past year than in the previous decade.
In the past three years, the weekly pay of a Level 1 full-time retail worker has increased by over $125. That equals over $6,500 more a year.
This is in stark contrast to the previous Liberal government who admitted low wage growth was a deliberate design feature of their economic architecture.
If wage growth had continued at the same low rate as under the Liberal Party, workers would be thousands of dollars worse off per year.
Find out more about how the Federal Labor Government has supported positive wage growth.
In 2025, we’re pushing for a living wage for retail and fast food workers and want to hear from you.
Your feedback will help strengthen our argument for a strong wage increase.