Public school teachers across New South Wales will receive the latest pay rise this week, with the state government saying tens of thousands are up to $20,000 better off. Under the pay deal, starting salaries rise from $75,791 to $92,882, while top-of-scale salaries increase from $113,042 to $133,422. The government says the rise aims to address teacher shortages. Vacancies are at a 12-year low, and more than 25,000 staff have moved to permanent employment. Deputy Premier Prue Car criticised the Liberal and National parties over past wage policies.
Nurses and midwives across NSW private hospitals have voted to take industrial action after six months of failed pay talks. The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association says 96.5 per cent of members who voted backed the action, which begins in the Illawarra on Thursday. The union is demanding enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios and wages matching the public system, with Healthe Care's offer described as falling short. Further stoppages are expected across the operator's hospitals in the coming weeks, with no details yet on which sites or how long they will last.
Over 300 Australian Services Union members rallied in Penrith to mark the lodging of a work value claim with the Fair Work Commission. The union wants pay for frontline community workers at charities and not-for-profits reviewed, saying wages have not been reviewed for 15 years. ASU NSW and ACT Secretary Angus McFarland called on the state government to fund any wage increases. The union says one in four community sector workers is looking to quit within a year. Family Support Worker Emma Nicholson said her work has grown more complex while her pay has not kept pace.
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Former industry minister Ed Husic has warned that Australia is going too fast in building data centres, which he says have been swamped by US tech firms. He said it remains unclear whether planned national standards on energy and water will apply to centres already under construction. Husic also called it lunacy for states such as Queensland to propose powering large data centres with coal and gas. He urged more local investment in Australian AI firms and said businesses should pay higher wages. Husic also said Labor had learnt the wrong lessons from the Rudd-Gillard years.
Some economists and union leaders argue that Australia's low productivity figures miss the value of jobs in health, education and care. Emeline Gaske of the Australian Services Union says outcomes for people matter as much as cost and volume. Productivity Commission deputy chair Alex Robson agrees that measurement needs to change as the economy shifts towards services. Toby Phillips of the Centre for Policy Development says research adjusting for outcomes shows stronger productivity growth. Community worker Georgia Harraway-Jones says larger caseloads would produce worse results for clients.
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock received total remuneration of $1.22 million in 2025-26, according to the bank's annual report. Junior staff are seeking an 11 per cent pay rise over three years and protection against inflation outpacing wages. Bullock has asked staff to vote for a 9.5 per cent offer, which a majority rejected in July. Bullock says productivity growth is needed for real wage rises. Unemployment has risen to 4.7 per cent since interest rates began lifting in February.
Hundreds of security workers employed by Certis are striking at Sydney Airport on Friday, a protest over years of job uncertainty and poor pay conditions. The Transport Workers Union says the workers walked off the job in two periods, from 6am to 10am and 5pm to 9pm, and delays are likely. The union blames Sydney Airport Corporation for forcing the action. Certis says it remains committed to bargaining, and that a new offer was made on Thursday. The airport urges passengers to allow extra travel time.
Australia's unemployment rate rose to a five-year high of 4.7 per cent in September, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. Western Australia was the exception, with joblessness falling to 4.2 per cent. Seek chief economist Blair Chapman linked the stronger WA job ads to higher commodity prices, which are supporting mining and energy. Randstad general manager Madeline Hill said 36 per cent of workers were looking for or had taken on a second job to cope with rising living costs. She described a two-speed market, with strong demand for skilled trades linked to data centres.
Federal public servants are being asked to vote on a 9 per cent pay offer spread over three years. The Australian Public Service Commission proposed rises of 3.2 per cent from March 2027, 3 per cent in 2028 and 2.8 per cent in 2029. Its chief negotiator, Alison Stott, said the increases exceed forecast inflation, and that bargaining is continuing. The Community and Public Sector Union wants 15 per cent over three years, citing inflation of 4 per cent. Its national secretary, Rebecca Fawcett, said the offer falls short and the union's members will decide.
Commonwealth public servants have been offered a 9 per cent pay rise over three years. The Australian Public Service Commission tabled the proposal as part of bargaining across the public service. The offer includes a 3.2 per cent rise from next March, then 3 per cent in 2028 and 2.8 per cent in 2029. The Community and Public Sector Union says the offer falls short of its claim of 5 per cent a year or inflation, whichever is higher. Union members will vote on whether to accept the offer, and bargaining is continuing.
More than 460,000 female health, disability and community services workers will receive fairer pay and better conditions. The Fair Work Commission found their work has been undervalued because of gender-based assumptions. The Federal Government will invest $630 million to fund the changes. Workers covered by the award received a wage rise of up to 15 per cent from 1 October, with any remaining increase due in 2027. Services Minister Katy Gallagher said the move was a significant step towards recognising women's contribution.
Public servants have been offered pay rises totalling 9 percent over three years. The proposal, tabled by chief negotiator Alison Stott, includes increases of 3.2 percent, 3 percent and 2.8 percent from March 2027 to March 2029. The Community and Public Sector Union is likely to reject the offer, which falls short of its demand of 5 percent a year. Members will now decide whether the offer is good enough. The government also proposes a standard 7.5-hour workday and 20 days of annual leave, changes the union says would cut conditions for some staff.
Assistant Minister for Productivity and Competition Andrew Leigh has warned that artificial intelligence could narrow wage gaps between workers while widening the income divide between workers and owners of capital. Speaking at a JPMorgan AI conference, he said a handful of AI companies could become toll collectors for the rest of the economy. He cited a study of more than 5000 customer-support agents, where productivity rose by 15 per cent and about 30 per cent among less-experienced workers.
