In accordance with the Fair Work Commission’s four-yearly review of modern awards, from 1 May 2021, junior rates from levels 4 to 8 of the General Retail Industry Award 2020 will be removed from the Award and adult rates will apply for any junior engaged in those levels. Junior rates from levels 1 – 3 however, remain the same.
As such, employers with employees under this Award are encouraged to inform junior employees that there will be a change in their pay rate from the next pay period after 1 May 2021.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has updated it’s General Retail Industry Award 2020 pay guide to reflect the changes which can be downloaded via https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay/minimum-wages/pay-guides
Please contact the BetterHR for guidance and clarity on steps you need take.
The decision comes after the Fair Work Commission considered a number of factors including:
– Most junior employees are engaged between levels 1 to 3 of the Award.
– The skills and competencies required to perform roles at levels 4 to 8 apply to all employees who hold positions at those levels and as such adult rates should apply regardless of the age.
– It was uncommon for junior employees to be engaged at level 4 to 8.
