National Minimum Wage Increase
On Friday 19 June 2020, the Commission handed down its 2020 Annual Wage Review Decision, which will see the National Minimum Wage and pay rates in all Modern Awards increase by 1.75%.

Increases to minimum rates in awards will start on 3 different dates for different groups of awards – 1 July 2020, 1 November 2020 or 1 February 2021.

CLICK HERE to see a full list.

For employees that are Award-free, the the new National Minimum Wage will be $753.80 per week or $19.84 per hour, which will apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2020

Double Dipping Casual Court Case Appealed to High Court
Workpac Pty Ltd, the employer in last month’s court case which saw a casual employee awarded leave entitlements in addition to the casual loading, has sought special leave to appeal that decision to the High Court.  The Federal Government has also indicated that it would intervene in the case in an effort to eliminate the the confusion and uncertainty that the decision has created among Australian business.

We will keep you updated.

New Ruling on JobKeeper Directions
Previously, it was commonly assumed that an employer was only able to reduce an employee’s working hours under the JobKeeper Scheme.  However, a recent ruling of the Commission has held that an employer also has the right to increase a part-time and casual employee’s hours of work under the Scheme.