National have announced a ‘Starting Out” minimum wage…

…for eligible 16- to 19-year-olds to be paid no less than 80 per cent of the minimum wage.

The current minimum wage is $13.50 so this makes the Starting out minimum $10.80 per hour.

David Shearer says this will fuel an exodus to Australia…

… “it’s not going to create jobs by driving down wages”.

“We need an economy that provides decent, secure jobs and good incomes and where young people have hope and opportunity, not the low-wage vision promoted by National.”

“These people are going to leave and go to Australia.”

What will they get if the get a minimum wage job in Australia?

National Minimum Wage (Australia)

For junior employees, the minimum rates are:

• Under 16 years of age  $5.87
• At 16 years of age   $7.55
• At 17 years of age   $9.22
• At 18 years of age   $10.90
• At 19 years of age   $13.17
• At 20 years of age   $15.59

For apprentices, the rates are:

• Year 1 of apprenticeship $10.22
• Year 2 of apprenticeship $12.08
• Year 3 of apprenticeship $14.87
• Year 4 of apprenticeship $17.65

These will be effective for 12 months – until they step up to the next age bracket.

Australia’s minimum wage is $15.96 per hour or $606.40 per week.