Today
Workers told to expect lower nominal pay rises as economy cools
Employers expect to lift salaries by an average of 3.8 per cent this financial year, as mounting evidence suggests pay rises have passed their recent peak.
- Euan Black
July
Aged care pay rise delayed due to Labor funding decision
Pay rises for 250,000 aged care workers of up to 14 per cent – likely costing up to $5 billion extra in government funding – have been delayed until next year.
- David Marin-Guzman
June
- Exclusive
- Industrial relations
Union bans delay $1.7b transport link to Western Sydney Airport
Industrial action has delayed the critical interchange for the city’s second airport by months and is sending subcontractors close to the wall.
- Campbell Kwan and David Marin-Guzman
- Exclusive
- Industrial relations
Nurses identify ‘$1.2bn’ in savings for 15 per cent pay rise
Deloitte’s report for the NSW nurses’ union found the state government may have missed out on more than $3 billion in Commonwealth funding due to inaccurate data.
- David Marin-Guzman
How higher building costs will shape the Brisbane Olympics
High labour costs will put pressure on the construction sector, forcing changes in how new projects are procured.
- Michael Bleby
Government urged to add accountants, auditors to fast-track visa list
Eleven accounting, auditing and data-related roles need to be added to a new list of occupations eligible for fast-tracked migrant visas due to ongoing labour shortages, say two major professional bodies.
- Edmund Tadros
Westpac’s chief economist Luci Ellis’ sliding doors moment
It is rare people can point to a single, pivotal, life-changing moment but two events, 30 years apart, have shaped her career.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Mathias Cormann
Fair Work decision gives Labor another chance to run its wages fib
The former government never embarked on a deliberate strategy to suppress wages. But you wouldn’t know it.
- Phillip Coorey
- Updated
- Minimum wage
Weak productivity halts minimum wage rise
The Fair Work Commission has warned that stalled productivity and falling profits in the retail and hospitality industries remain barriers to reversing the fall in real wages since the pandemic.
- Updated
- David Marin-Guzman
May
- Exclusive
- Industrial relations
Qld union’s 13pc pay rise may spoil energy relief
One of the biggest first-year pay rises in the country could add 30 per cent to costs, as Labor rolls out $1300 in household energy relief ahead of the October state election.
- David Marin-Guzman
Budget uncertainty on minimum wage could spoil unions’ bid
The workplace umpire has complained that it has no clarity over government funding for higher minimum wages for female-dominated sectors, risking spoiling unions landmark bid for a 9 per cent increase.
- David Marin-Guzman
Budget relief comes on top of ‘decent’ wage rise: Chalmers
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has fought back against an employer push to use the budget’s cost-of-living relief to lower this year’s minimum wage increase.
- David Marin-Guzman
Unions to ramp up pay claims despite inflation slowdown
Unions want to make up for “lost ground” after years of cost-of-living pressure, despite Treasury forecasts that inflation could fall beneath 3 per cent by Christmas.
- Updated
- Michael Read and David Marin-Guzman
Real wages forecast to grow by 0.5pc a year
Workers will enjoy substantial real wage growth for three years, according to Treasury, even as pay and inflation forecasts clash with the Reserve Bank.
- David Marin-Guzman
Aged care providers back delaying pay rises
Aged care employers have supported the government’s proposal to phase-in aged care pay rises, clashing with unions who are demanding the full rise by July 1.
- David Marin-Guzman
April
Highest-paid CFOs revealed
The country’s top CFOs continue to enjoy a “breakout period” on pay and remain in the box seat as the country’s next CEOs.
- Patrick Durkin
Haircuts, dentist visits and movie tickets inflict inflation pain
Everyday activities are among the 31 common household purchases where year-ended inflation rose between December 2023 and March 2024.
- Michael Read
Why 3pc wage rises may become the new norm
New research from NAB forecasts productivity growth will remain at its lowest rate in more than 70 years, leading living standards to stagnate.
- Michael Read
Ban restraints on poaching staff: RBA board member
Workers should be allowed to solicit ex-colleagues to jump ship to competitors and staff should be paid while under non-compete clauses, a former judge has urged.
- David Marin-Guzman
March
Unions’ 5pc wage claim will keep interest rates high: business
Employers say the ACTU’s bid for a 5 per cent increase is “an open letter to the RBA to keep interest rates higher for longer”, while economists warn it will have an inflationary effect.
- David Marin-Guzman
