Queensland minimum wage

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The information outlined below applies to employees and employers who are under State industrial relations jurisdiction. Since the commencement of the federal government's workplace relations laws on 27 March 2006, employers who are constitutional corporations (e.g. a Pty Ltd or Ltd company) and their employees are now covered under federal industrial relations jurisdiction. You can also contact the Workplace Rights hotline on 1300 737 841 or visit www.workplacerights.qld.gov.au for information on your workplace rights.

Queensland's Industrial Relations Act 1999 (PDF, 1.9MB) provides for a minimum rate of pay for all employees whether or not they are covered by an award or agreement.

All employees (subject to certain exemptions below) have a legally enforceable entitlement to a minimum rate of pay no matter what sort of work they do.

The rates of pay in the Queensland Minimum Wage General Ruling combined with the leave entitlements and protections against unfair dismissal already provided for on a similar basis in the legislation ensure a broad safety net of wages and conditions for Queensland's low paid workers.

In the 2007 State Wage Case General Ruling effective from 1 September 2007, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission ordered a Queensland minimum wage (QMW) weekly rate for full time employees of $528.40 (previously $503.80).

Award employees:

In the case of award employees the QMW weekly rate will only apply if the industrial instrument sets a minimum rate for full-time employees that is lower than this amount.

The calculation of junior and casual rates is based on the higher of the QMW or the relevant industrial instrument rate by applying the percentages contained in the applicable industrial instrument.

Employees not covered by an award or agreement

Minimum wages for employees not covered by an award or agreement are to be calculated in accordance with the following arrangements:

Full-time adults - employees 20 years of age and over working on a full time basis are entitled to the QMW weekly rate of $528.40 from 1 September 2007.
Juniors - employees under 20 years of age are entitled to a rate of pay calculated as a percentage of the QMW based on either their age or experience (whichever gives the higher rate).
Part-time and casuals - employees engaged on a part time or casual basis are entitled to the QMW weekly rate divided by 40 for each hour worked.
Hours exceeding 40 per week - employees (whether full time, part time or casual) are entitled to the QMW weekly rate divided by 40 for any hours worked in excess of 40 per week.

The table below sets out the rates of pay resulting from the 2007 State Wage Case general ruling:
From 1 September 2007
Age	Percentage	Full time per week	Part time or Casual per hour
17 years and under or 1st year of experience*	55%	$290.62	$7.2655
18 years or 2nd year of experience*	65%	$343.46	$8.5865
19 years but less than 3rd year of experience	75%	$396.30	$9.9075
3rd year of experience	85%	$449.14	$11.2285
20 years and over	100%	$528.40	$13.2100

* Whichever gives the higher rate

Exemptions:

The QMW is not applicable to the following employees:

A disabled person or a person working in supported employment services;
Note: This exclusion only applies to persons working in a supported employment service.
A person whose services are paid wholly by commission or percentage rewards;
A piece rate worker ;
A volunteer;
An apprentice or trainee under the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000 (PDF, 1.39mB); and
Note: The Apprentices' and Trainees' Wages and Conditions (Excluding Certain Queensland Government Entities) Order (PDF, 403 kB) may refer to QMW in either setting or calculating a wage rate for a trainee.
Employees who, at the 20 December 2002, were covered by a certified agreement, Queensland workplace agreement, industrial agreement, enterprise flexibility agreement or an order setting wage rates for apprentices or trainees during the currency of that agreement or order.

Last updated: 28 May 2008

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Queensland minimum wage

Award employees:

Employees not covered by an award or agreement

Exemptions: