Annual Wage Review Decision Announced

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced its annual wage review decision for the upcoming 2023/2024 financial year.

The Commission has decided to increase the National Minimum Wage (NMW) by 5.75%, and minimum rates of pay in modern awards by 5.75%.

However, the NMW has been historically connected to the C14 wage rate in modern awards – which is the lowest wage rate and has always been intended as a transitional entry rate of pay for new employees. The FWC has determined that this no longer constitutes a proper minimum wage safety net for award/agreement-free employees, and therefore decided it is appropriate to link the NMW to the C13 wage rate instead - the next highest wage rate in modern awards. This now constitutes in practicality an 8.65% increase to the NMW for award/agreement-free employees, but the increase to modern award minimum rates of pay remains at 5.75%.

The increase to the NMW and the minimum rates in modern awards that apply to osteopathic practices – including the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 – will apply from the first full pay period commencing on or after 1st July 2023.

To summarise, the annual wage review decision will impact osteopathic practices as follows:

▪ The weekly rates of pay in the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 will increase by 5.75% from the first full pay period commencing on or after 1st July 2023.

▪ For award/agreement-free employees, the NMW will increase from $812.60 per week ($21.38 per hour) to $882.80 per week ($23.23 per hour).

What happens now?
Osteopathy Australia HR Service will update all relevant modern award wage guides to reflect the increase. The updated guides will be available from 1st July 2023.

For more information, call 1300 143 602 or email hrhotline@osteopathy.org.au.

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