Fair Work Commission Scraps Junior Pay Rates for Young Adults

0:00It's March 30th. From your city to your ears, this is Sydney News Today, powered by AI. Fair Work Commission just made a major call. They're scrapping junior pay rates for 18 to 20-year-olds in retail, fast food, and pharmacy, sectors. That means young adults in those jobs now get the full adult wage, no discounts. The change keeps rates intact for minors under 16, while hitting the General Retail Industry Award, Fast Food Industry Award, and Pharmacy. Industry Award, adjustments roll out with a phase-in period of up to four years, kicking off in December. These junior rates had hard before, paying 18-year-olds just 70 percent of the adult rate, 19-year-olds 80 percent, and 20-year-olds 90 percent. Sector's Pack with Young Workers will fill this shift big time. No word yet on pushback from employers, but unions push for it, saying it boosts fairness for entry-level hustlers stepping up. As these wages climb, expect more young folks sticking around in retail and fast food gigs, closing the gap on equal pay right out the gate.