Clarification of Cumulative Educator Wage Increases

Question

Senator HODGINS-MAY: There have been a lot of very surprised people, who have been knocking on our door since that budget was delivered, who'd had high expectations that it was going to be in there. I'm seeking some clarification-and I know we have spoken about this before, and I'm genuinely just trying to unpack what is happening with educator pay rates. The Fair Work gender undervaluation decision delivered a five per cent increase in March and another five per cent increase from July. We also now have the Annual Wage Review increase of 4.75 per cent from 30 June. Can the department confirm whether those increases are cumulative-that is, is it a total 14.75 per cent increase this year? We're finding it very complicated to- Mr Reed: They are. This may be a question for DEWR, but I can try and answer. The 4.75 per cent annual wage review, I believe, would be an increase to the current award. So that first five per cent would already be factored into the current award. What I'm saying is that it's probably slightly more than 14.75 per cent because the 4.75 per cent would apply to that increase already to the award, but they are accumulative. Senator HODGINS-MAY: Can we just get that confirmed on notice, please, because, if it's confusing for us, I'm sure it's confusing for educators as well. Mr Reed: We'll confirm with our DEWR colleagues. Senator HODGINS-MAY: Yes, consult whoever you need to just to get that clarity, please.

Answer

Please see the attached PDF.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000697.pdf (opens in a new tab)