Workplace Laws Drive Real Wage Hikes, Data Shows
Figures released today have revealed a record high number of employees are being covered by federal enterprise bargaining agreements, which produce real wage increases for Australian workers.
Enterprise agreements are good for workers and good for businesses. Workers can get better pay and conditions, and businesses can get more flexibility and productivity.
The Trends in Federal Enterprise Bargaining report for the March quarter 2025 has found coverage of current enterprise agreements reaching an all-time high of 2.67 million employees.
This is the highest coverage of enterprise agreements recorded since enterprise bargaining commenced in 1991.
The report also highlights that the Government is delivering real wage increases for Australian workers, with approved average annualised wage increases (AAWI) for workers covered under enterprise agreements of 3.8 per cent, outpacing March’s inflation figures at 2.4 per cent and outpacing economy wide wage increases.
This is the sixth consecutive quarter that wages growth in enterprise agreements has outpaced inflation.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth said the Albanese Labor Government is taking considerable strides in workplace relations improvements to greater benefit Australian employees.
“The positive data released in today’s Trends in Federal Enterprise Bargaining report highlights the significant impact our Government is making to achieve real wage increases,” Minister Rishworth said.
“Only Labor will continue to support and fight for economically sustainable enterprise bargaining, so more Australians can keep more money in their pockets.”
Enterprise bargaining is just one of the many ways the Albanese Labor Government is improving the pay conditions for Australian workers, including Secure Jobs Better Pay reforms, protecting penalty rates and closing labour hire loopholes.
https://ministers.dewr.gov.au/rishworth/new-data-shows-workplace-laws-delivering-real-wage-increases