In a significant ruling, the Fair Work Commission has approved a 4.75% pay rise for nearly 3 million workers in Australia, effective from July 1. This increase will benefit approximately 2.8 million employees whose wages are determined by modern awards. The commission's president, Justice Adam Hatcher, announced that the lowest ongoing wage will rise from about $24.95 to $26.44 per hour, marking a nearly 6% increase for the lowest paid workers. Hatcher noted that the decision was particularly challenging due to rising fuel prices and inflation, which have adversely affected living standards for the lowest earners. The higher wage increase for the lowest-paid workers is seen as a necessary adjustment to provide better support for vulnerable employees. Unions had pushed for a 6% increase in light of projected inflation rates, while employers had requested a more modest 3.5% adjustment. The previous increase was 3.5% for the 2025-26 period, reflecting ongoing economic challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on household costs.