Labor Pushes for Real Wage Hike for 3 Million Workers

Labor’s wage push comes as public sector pay outpaces private wages for the first time in four years.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers visit Sunnybank Market Square in the electorate of Moreton in Brisbane, Australia on April 29, 2025. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

The Albanese Labor government has called on the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to deliver another wage increase for nearly 3 million Australian workers to account for inflation.

In a formal submission ahead of the FWC’s annual decision next month, the government said it “believes workers should get ahead with a real wage increase.”