The Fair Work Commission (FWC) of Australia has announced a wage increase of 4.75% for minimum and award wages, set to take effect on July 1. This decision will benefit nearly three million workers, raising the minimum wage to $1,049.90 per week or $26.44 per hour. The ruling is particularly significant for those in entry-level jobs across various sectors, including retail and hospitality. The FWC estimates that around 100,000 of the lowest-paid workers will see direct benefits from this adjustment. The increase, however, is less than the 5-6% hike advocated by unions like the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), which argued that past wage increases have not exacerbated inflation. In contrast, major business groups had proposed a smaller increase of 3.5-3.9%, citing concerns over potential financial strain on businesses already facing rising costs. The adjustment comes amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures and rising inflation, which was recorded at 4.2% in April.