SDA: Full Pay at 18+ Campaign

Retail outlets, fast-food stores, hairdressing salons, warehouses – many workplaces across the country are thriving off the back of the work of younger employees.

But are our younger workers being paid what they deserve?

Junior rates in Australia mean that many younger workers are being paid just a percentage of the full adult rate. For example, under the General Retail Award, at 18 years, workers get 30 per cent less; at 19 it’s 20 per cent less and at 20 it’s 10 per cent less.  That’s despite the fact that in every other aspect of life, you’re considered an adult once you turn 18.

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association has today launched a campaign aimed at ending junior rates for retail workers aged 18 years and over – and called on the Federal Government to get behind it.

The 100% pay at 18+ campaign is calling on the government to support the SDA’s submission to the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission to change the General Retail Award which currently allows employers to underpay staff based on their age – and to support the premise of the campaign as a whole.

If the campaign is successful for retail workers, the SDA says it would expect to see the benefits flow to young workers in other industries.

National Secretary of the SDA, Joe de Bruyn, says the time for equal pay for younger workers has come and is excited about watching the 100% Pay at 18+ campaign help improve the working life of younger employees.

“It’s definitely time to overhaul the junior rates provisions and replace them with something that better reflects today’s society and provides young workers with the pay they deserve,” Mr de Bruyn says.

“The award provisions governing junior rates have been in place for many decades. They’re prehistoric and illogical these days. Everywhere else in society, you’re classified as an adult once you turn 18 – it just makes sense that employees have the same standing in the workplace.

“At 18, workers are giving 100 per cent contribution in the workplace – they have been trained and are often in positions of responsibility. The 100% pay at 18+ campaign is about paying 18 year olds for their contribution, not their age.”