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LEGAL ALERT: Minimum Wage Increases from 1 April 2026 - Gender Undervaluation Changes Now in Effect
- Key Takeaways
- From 1 April 2026, wage increases under some awards begin due to gender undervaluation findings, requiring employers to review pay for compliance.
- The Fair Work Commission must now consider gender equality in wage setting and has identified that the award system may contribute to the gender pay gap, particularly in female-dominated industries.
- Employers should review and update pay rates and systems, track upcoming increases, and seek advice if needed, or risk underpayment and non-compliance.
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On 1 April 2026, the first tranche of important changes to minimum wages under several Modern Awards will commence, following findings of gender-based undervaluation by the Fair Work Commission.
This is a timely reminder for employers, particularly in the health and care sectors, to review pay structures and ensure compliance.
Why this matters now
Recent amendments to the Fair Work Act require the Fair Work Commission to consider the importance of achieving gender equality when setting minimum wages.
As part of this process, the Commission identified that Australia’s award system may be contributing to the gender pay gap, particularly in industries where work has historically been undervalued because it is predominantly performed by women.
Key findings
A targeted review examined occupations where women make up 80% or more of the workforce, encompassed by 13 Modern Awards.
The Fair Work Commission Full Bench found evidence of gender-based undervaluation across several awards, including:
- Pharmacy Industry Award 2020
- Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020
- Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award 2020
- Children’s Services Award 2010
What is changing
The Commission has ordered staged increases to minimum wage rates under these awards.
From 1 April 2026, the first tranche takes effect, with increases for:
- Dental assistants
- Pathology collectors
(both under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award)
What employers should do
Employers covered by these awards should:
- review current pay rates against updated award requirements;
- update payroll systems to reflect new minimum rates;
- diarise upcoming staged increases to avoid future risk; and
- seek advice where award coverage or classification is unclear.
Failure to implement these changes may expose businesses to underpayment risks and compliance issues.
Need help?
If you are unsure how these changes impact your business, or need assistance reviewing your employment arrangements, our Employment & Industrial Relations team can help.
📞 Contact Robert Lamb on (07) 3220 1144
