The Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) is pleased to see the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) has increased the state’s minimum wage by 3.75 per cent.
Today’s increase is above that of the recently announced federal increase and also sits above current inflation levels, providing some much-needed relief to many of those who have been doing it toughest throughout this prolonged cost of living crisis.
WACOSS Chief Executive Officer Louise Giolitto said while the increase fell short of the 4.5 per cent rise that WACOSS and UnionsWA had called for in their submissions to the WAIRC, it was a pleasing result nonetheless.
“The WAIRC is clearly listening to people who are struggling to get by on the minimum wage, so this will come as very welcome news for many struggling WA households.
“Cost increases in the last 12 months alone have meant that the previous increase to the state minimum wage, while welcome, has not resulted in sustained improvement in the purchasing power and standard of living for low waged workers.
“Considering this, lifting income for the lowest paid is the most meaningful way to assist workers to meet their basic costs and achieve a decent standard of living, relative to the broader community.”
