How much should I be paid

Many times, the excitement of getting a new job can make you forget some of the finer details. You may just see an hourly figure on your employment contract but not ask how much should I be getting paid?

What you are entitled to can differ per your industry, award and your age. But there are a few things that are consistent across the board you should be aware of, in particular, the minimum wage in Australia.

How much should I be getting paid?

• ^{What is the minimum wage in Australia}
• ^{How much should I be paid as a casual?}
• ^{How much should I be paid if I have a disability?}
• ^{How much should I be paid if I’m a junior (under 21 years old)?}
• ^{How much should I be paid if I’m a trainee or apprentice?}
• ^{How much should I be paid if I’m on a salary?}
• ^{How much should I be paid if I earn commission?}

What is the minimum wage in Australia?

The minimum wage in Australia is reviewed annually in July and is generally set by the award for your industry or occupation.

You can find a what your specific pay rate should be by using the Fair work ombudsman tool here find your award.

For those that are not covered by an award or registered agreement the current minimum wage in Australia as at April 2022 is $20.33 per hour or $772.60 per week.

This figure is before tax and does not take into account things like overtime, penalties or differences in work capabilities or age.

How much should I be paid as a casual?

As a casual, you will not be entitled to things like sick leave or annual leave. Because of this, you will get what is called ‘casual loading’ on your hourly rate.

This means you should be getting 25% on top of your hourly wage including on public holidays

How much should I be paid if I have a disability?

If you have a disability you may be eligible for the Supported Wage System (SWS).

This system is governed by The Department of Social Services, which determines eligibility.

The SWS is dependent on a variety of factors such as your award, and your work capacity and can be tricky to work out if you are eligible or not.

It may be best to speak with your consultant about this so they can guide you on what you should be earning.

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How much should I be paid if I’m a junior?

There are different rates of pay for those under 21. As a junior, your rate of pay is determined by the full adult wage of your particular industry.

You will receive a percentage of that wage, increasing with each birthday, until you are 21 and entitled to the full adult wage.

You can find out how much exactly here junior pay rates.

How much should I be paid if I’m a trainee or apprentice?

An apprentice or trainee receives different levels of pay to reflect their reduced work capacity as they learn and the education they receive during their contract.

The rate is determined by the length of the agreement, whether you are over 21 years old (adult apprenticeship) or if you are undertaking a school-based traineeship or apprenticeship.

This rate can go up while you are training and is based either on your level of competency or age.

Important to remember is you must be paid for time spent in training.

You also cannot be paid a trainee or apprentice wage if you do not have a formal training contract with a registered and recognised training organisation.

Further information can be found here Apprentice & trainee pay rates.

How much should I be paid if I’m on a salary?

If you are on a salary the agreement should specify your entitlements, but you cannot be paid less than the national minimum wage.

As a salaried employee, your salary may cover entitlements such as penalties, overtime, and allowances. So it is important to understand the agreement that applies to you and ensure your employment contract does too.

If in doubt check your award entitlements and keep a copy of your contract.

How much should I be paid if I earn commission?

Being paid commissions can add to your base wage or make up your entire wage dependent on your agreement.

Regardless of whether you are being paid a ‘piece rate’, or commission as a component of your wage, you must still be paid above the national minimum wage.

You cannot be paid commission only unless when an award, enterprise agreement or other registered agreement specifically states you can.

If you have questions about a new job and the pay or entitlements you are owed, you can get in touch with your consultant who can guide you.

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