FWC: 3.5% minimum increase for FY2025/26

At 10 am this morning, the Fair Work Commission released its full decision and announced:

"The decision we have made is to increase the National Minimum Wage and
all modern award minimum wage rates by 3.5 per cent, effective from 1 July 2025."

We now anticipate a potential update from the Federal Government with respect to its Worker Retention Payments as a consequence of the annual wage increase.

Moreover, members can still watch the video presentation on how the Gender Undervaluation decision (and the then anticipated annual wage increase) will impact the Worker Retention Payments for services who apply for government funds to increase wages by 10%-15%.

Please note that the FY2025/2026 wage rates will now be updated for application from 1 July 2025 and 1 August 2025 as soon as possible. Members will need to use their ACA NSW username and password to access. NOTE: Members will recall the 5% minimum increase in addition to the annual wage increase to be effective 1 August 2025 as a result of the Fair Work Commission's Gender Undervaluation decision.

For any further information/clarification, members can contact ACA NSW via 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au.

PUBLISHED: 3 JUNE 2025