Increase to Minimum Wage - What does the changes mean to you?

January 5, 2026

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Recently the Fair Work Commission undertook its annual wage review. The Commission announced that there would be a 5.2% wage increase to the national minimum wage, and a $40 or 4.6% increase to award wages.


Minimum Wage Increase


The national minimum wage is currently $20.33 per hour or $772.60 per week. However, from 1 July 2022 the minimum wage will increase by 5.2%. For those employees not covered by an award or registered an agreement, the 5.2% wage increase will mean that those employees will earn an extra $40 per week.


Modern Award Increase


In addition, the Commission has announced an increase to minimum award wages. The increase means that minimum award wages above $869.60 per week, will get a 4.6% increase and minimum award wages below $869.60 per week, will get a $40 increase. Most award wages will increase from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2022.


However, if you are in the hospitality and tourism industries, and covered by the following awards, the increase will not roll out until 1 October 2022:


  • Aircraft Cabin Crew Award
  • Airline Operations – Ground Staff Award
  • Air Pilots Award
  • Airport Employees Award
  • Airservices Australia Enterprise Award 2016
  • Hospitality Industry (General) Award
  • Registered and Licensed Clubs Award
  • Restaurant Industry Award
  • Marine Tourism and Charter Vessels Award
  • Alpine Resorts Award


Changes to Superannuation


The Federal Government has also announced that there will be changes to the superannuation laws, effective also from 1 July 2022. These changes will include the removal of the $450 minimum earnings threshold, and an increase in the employer contribution rate from 10% to 10.5%.


Once the $450 minimum earnings threshold is removed employers will be required to make contributions to an eligible employee's super fund regardless of how much the employee is paid. However, employees will still be required to satisfy other existing eligibility requirements.


The second change to the superannuation laws is an increase to the employer contribution rate. This change simply means that, as of the 1 July 2022 employers will need to calculate super contributions on payments to employees at the new rate of 10.5%.


As the end of the financial year approaches it will be important for employers to review their employment contracts and implement the necessary wage increases to ensure that they are compliant with the relevant award. 



By Matilda Lloyd (Law Graduate)


If you have questions about the changes and how they may affect you and your business, or on employment issues generally, please contact us on (08) 9321 5451 or by email at office@bailiwicklegal.com.au.


For further information about our legal services, please visit our website: https://www.bailiwicklegal.com.au/


The above information is a summary and overview of the matters discussed. This publication does not constitute legal advice and you should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.


Aerial image of Rawlinna Station

Bailiwick Legal Advises on Landmark Acquisition of Rawlinna Station by Consolidated Pastoral Company

January 5, 2026
Bailiwick Legal is proud to have acted for Consolidated Pastoral Company (CPC) in its successful acquisition of Rawlinna Station , Australia’s largest sheep station, located on the remote Nullarbor Plain in Western Australia. Spanning over 1 million hectares and running approximately 30,000 sheep , Rawlinna is an iconic pastoral asset with a rich legacy, having been held by the MacLachlan family’s Jumbuck Pastoral Company since its establishment in 1962. The sale marks the first change of ownership in over six decades and was finalised following formal approval from the Western Australian Government for the transfer of the pastoral leases. This transaction involved navigating: The transfer of three separate pastoral leases Coordination across multiple vendor entities Consideration of livestock and operating assets Fulfilment of regulatory and compliance requirements, including WA lease approval processes Bailiwick Legal is a boutique agricultural and regional law firm , proudly based in Perth and Bridgetown, Western Australia. Our role in this acquisition demonstrates that deep sector knowledge, local insight, and personalised legal support are crucial for agribusiness clients managing complex, high-value transactions. Our team, led by our regionally-based solicitor, Matilda Lloyd, provided end-to-end legal and strategic support, including: Due diligence on land tenure and operating assets Contract negotiation and preparation Advice on regulatory approvals and compliance Strategic coordination with CPC’s internal and external stakeholders to ensure a smooth and timely settlement We are honoured to have supported CPC in this milestone acquisition and look forward to watching Rawlinna’s next chapter unfolds. At Bailiwick Legal, we believe that regional expertise, deep industry knowledge, and relationship-based service remain essential to agribusiness success, no matter the scale. Congratulations to all parties involved, including the MacLachlan family, whose stewardship of Rawlinna leaves a lasting legacy in Australian agriculture. – The Bailiwick Legal Team Working alongside agribusinesses to grow, transition, and thrive . For assistance with all of your agribusiness needs, contact Bailiwick Legal on 08 9321 5451 or email office@bailiwicklegal.com.au By Matilda Lloyd (Associate) For further information about our legal services, please visit our website: https://www.bailiwicklegal.com.au The above information is a summary and overview of the matters discussed. This publication does not constitute legal advice and you should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.

Bailiwick Legal newsletter June 2024 edition

By Jessica Brunner • June 19, 2024
Our June 2024 newsletter is now available. Have a read to find out what we have been up to in the first half of the year!

ISCC Spraying decision

May 14, 2024
The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) System has come to the attention of many Western Australian farmers recently, as the scheme has changed one of its policies regarding aerial spraying. What is the ISCC? The ISCC is one of the world’s largest voluntary sustainability certification schemes enabling participants to demonstrate they are producing materials in a sustainable way that meets or exceeds community expectations. In Australia it is widely used in the canola industry, enabling Australian canola growers to access the European biofuel market. CBH Marketing and Trading holds certification for the ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS programs, that cover canola, barley, oats, wheat and lupin, allowing WA growers to participate in both programs. Participating in the ISCC program can result in a premium on grain, however participants are subject to more stringent measures to satisfy sustainability accreditation requirements. Recent decision on aerial spraying ISCC Principle 2.6.2 prevents aerial spraying from taking place within 500 metres of a body of water. CBH has successfully lobbied for an exemption to this Principle, for farm dams and salt lakes of low ecological value. As part of its lobbying, CBH provided expert reports to the ISCC on the hydrology and ecology of WA farm systems. For farmers who are signed up to the ISCC program, this removes an obstacle during the season for weed management. The Principle does still require a 500 metre buffer for other bodies of water, including freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds or creeks. However, for those who farm yabbies and marron, this change may not be welcome. Marron and yabby farmers have noticed impacts on their populations where aerial spraying has taken place close to their properties, and aerial spraying can unintentionally damage natural vegetation, including young and old growth trees. For growers, it’s always prudent to follow best practice guidelines for aerial spraying to avoid spray drift – including monitoring weather conditions and the effect of water added to the chemical. For some farmers, this decision may prompt an examination of whether signing up to the ISCC program might be best for their business. In this circumstance, it is important to weigh up the potential benefits of the program compared to the sustainability accreditation requirements. For others, this decision is a timely reminder to stay up to date with best practice guidelines when it comes to spraying, particularly during the seeding season. For assistance with all of your agribusiness needs, contact Bailiwick Legal on 08 9321 5451 or email office@bailiwicklegal.com.au By Ciara Nalty (Solicitor) For further information about our legal services, please visit our website: https://www.bailiwicklegal.com.au The above information is a summary and overview of the matters discussed. This publication does not constitute legal advice and you should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.