New Award rates

The Australian Fair Pay Commission has responsibility for setting and adjustingminimum wage rates within the federal jurisdiction. It recently handed down its decision on Minimum Wage Rates. (More information on the decision can be found at www.fairpay.gov.au.)This decision applies only to certain Licensees who pay staff under the Postal Services Industry Award. Refer to the WorkChoices website for further information.The Commission approved an increase of $27.36 per week which translates to a 72c per hour increase in all Australian Pay and Classification Scales (Pay Scales) up to and including $700 per week.For the Postal Services Industry Award, the new rates will be:PSO Level 1Weekly rate $570.86Hourly rate $15.02PSO Level 2Weekly rate $605.56Hourly rate $15.94Casual loading remains at 20%.The increases take effect from 1 December 2006 (commences midnight30 November).This does not apply to employees covered by Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) or certified agreements approved prior to the commencement of WorkChoices.If you would like more information on wage rates, call the WorkChoices Infoline on 1300 363 264.