New national minimum wage is now in effect with an increase of three per cent or $21.60 per week, following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review.

Applicable from the first pay period on or after July 1, 2019, the previous hourly rate of $18.93 is now $19.49 an hour (a 56c increase) with the weekly rate increasing from $719.20 to $740.80.

Other hospitality penalty rate changes occurring is the Sunday penalty rate reduction for full-time and part-time hospitality workers dropping to 150 per cent loading, while casual workers will maintain their loading.

New National Minimum Wage With George Calombaris making headlines for underpaying his restaurant staff by $7.8 million, it’s important businesses understand pay rates, says Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker.

“The Fair Work Ombudsman has a range of free tools available to help employers comply with their workplace obligations, which have been updated to reflect the new pay rates,” she said.

“We urge all businesses to visit our pay and conditions tool to check the lawful minimum rates that they need to pay their staff, or to contact us directly for assistance.”