Fair Work Commission

Overview

Fair Work Commission staff may conduct or commission research as part of the annual wage review. The research program for the Annual Wage Review 2018–19 was finalised in a Statement on 11 December 2018 following an invitation to interested parties to submit proposals ([2018] FWCFB 3500] at para. 497) and comment on the draft research program.

This page will be updated throughout the review.

In undertaking the research program, a Minimum Wages Research Group is consulted comprising representatives nominated by:

• Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)
• Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)
• Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)
• Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)
• Australian Government
• state and territory governments.

Research published for the 2018–19 Review

In addition to research projects, a Statistical report and Research reference list are also published for annual wage reviews. This material will be updated throughout the 2018–19 Review.

Overview of research (PDF)

Jeff Borland (University of Melbourne)

This paper summarises the scope and findings of each research report listed below.

Developments in wages growth (PDF)

David Rozenbes and Grant Ellis (Fair Work Commission)

This report analyses several indicators of wages growth to assess the current period of low wages growth. The report reviews the recent discussion on wages growth in Australia and contributes to the literature by also examining differences in wages growth between modern award minimum wages, enterprise agreements and individual arrangements

Insights into underemployment (PDF)

Kelvin Yuen and Oliver Smith (Fair Work Commission)

The ABS now publishes monthly data on underemployment and underutilisation disaggregated by gender and age group. This report presents an analysis of these monthly data to look into trends and assess how changes among these characteristics have contributed to shifts in aggregate underemployment and underutilisation.

Accessing ABS data sources

The Commission is engaging with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to explore opportunities to use and link various data sources to undertake research topics relevant to the minimum wages and modern awards objectives. Research proposals and expectant projects will be communicated in due course.

Previous research

Research material from past annual wage reviews is available.

Go to a complete list of previous research.