SA minimum wage gets an 8.6% boost

December 12, 2023

The South Australian Employment Tribunal has accepted SA Unions’ pay rise claims for increases of 5.75% for awards and allowances and 8.6% for the Minimum Standard for Remuneration (state minimum wage) in the
2023 State Wage Case.

SA Unions were seeking an 8.6% increase to the state minimum wage and an increase of 5.75% for awards and allowances (which has implications for much of the state public service). 

The current Minimum Standard for Remuneration for a full-time adult employee is $827.60 per week. An 8.6% increase will see the state minimum wage increase by $71.17 a week.

The state wage case determines the minimum wage 'safety net' for employees in the state industrial system (particularly state Public Sector and Local Government employees). The full decision can be viewed here.

The operative date of the pay rise is the 1st of July 2023. 

‘In today's challenging economic climate, South Australians are feeling the squeeze of rising costs on their everyday expenses; people are going without meals, avoiding using electricity.’

‘It's time for us to recognise that fair wages aren't just about making ends meet; they're about preserving the dignity and well-being of our workforce, and the community as a whole.’

‘Low wages hold back family budgets and compound cost of living rises, but they also restrict spending in our economy. Increasing wages is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity to support the local economy.’

‘The government's position to support these sensible wage increase sends a strong signal, that they agree, we need to get wages moving again.'