The new minimum wage has just been announced to be an hourly rate of $19.84 per hour.
As the times have changed, so too has the minimum wage. Ten years ago, it was $14.31 per hour — and in 1966, it was under a single dollar an hour! It’s almost inconceivable to our modern sensibilities that such a low figure was deemed a liveable income.
Here’s how far we’ve come in the fifty plus years since Australia’s $1/hour minimum wage.
1966 – $36.37 per week (averaged across states and territory)
Vietnam War protests, “The Batman” television series starring Adam West makes its debut.
1969 – $42.65 per week (averaged across states and territory)
Neil Armstrong becomes the first man on the moon, The Beatles release “Abbey Road”.
1972 – $51.35 per week (averaged across states and territory)
Gough Whitlam becomes the 21st Prime Minister, Watergate Scandal.
1976 – $100.70 per week
Medibank Private is established, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak form Apple Computers.
1985 – $167.50 per week
Live Aid, Michael Jordan is named NBA Rookie of the Year.
1989 – $214.29 per week
Tiananmen Square, Toyota company launches Lexus brand.
1995 – $284.45 per week
Qantas becomes a private company, Microsoft releases Windows 95.
1999 – $385.40 per week
The UK surrenders the sovereignty of Hong Kong, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace is released in cinemas.
2005 – $484.40 per week
World population reaches 6.5 billion, YouTube is founded.
2009 – $543.78 per week
Barack Obama becomes the 44th President of the United States, Fair Work Ombudsman is established.
2012 – $606.40 per week
London hosts the Summer Olympics, “Curiosity” Mars rover successfully lands.
2018 – $719.20 per week
Scott Morrison successfully challenges Malcolm Turnbull to become the 30th Prime Minister, France wins the FIFA World Cup.
If you need help understanding the Minimum Wage changes or how that impacts your business, reach out to Employsure or give us a call at 1300 651 415.
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