New data released today shows how the Albanese Government's workplace relations changes have lifted wages for tens of thousands of Australian workers.
The Trends in Federal Enterprise Bargaining report, released by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations today, shows that Australian workers who are covered by a new federal enterprise agreement in the December 2024 quarter have received an average pay rise of 4.8 per cent (AAWI - Average Annualised Wage Increase).
This is the highest AAWI result since the June quarter 1997 and the fifth consecutive quarter that wages growth in enterprise agreements outpaced inflation.
The report shows that 2.62 million employees are now covered by an agreement, up from 2.21 million employees covered as at 30 September 2024 and 2.03 million employees as at 31 December 2023.
This is the highest number since the March quarter 2014.
Importantly, changes the Albanese Labor Government has made to laws and policy have reinvigorated access to enterprise bargaining, directly contributing to wage increases.
Enterprise agreements are good for workers and good for businesses. Workers get better pay and conditions, and businesses get more flexibility and productivity.
The increase in number of agreements is testament to the benefits of workplace cooperation our laws have encouraged.
However, continued wage rises are at risk under Peter Dutton and the Coalition, who have said they would review and/or repeal the bulk of the Albanese Government's reforms.
