Every year the SDA and Australian Unions argue for fair and decent pay rises in the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review.
The SDA runs strong campaigns to lift wages because SDA members are essential workers who deserve pay rises that keep up with he cost of living.
Pay rises are not automatic. Every year, pay rises for hundreds of thousands of retail and fast food workers are decided through the Annual Wage Review process.
For the Annual Wage Review, the Fair Work Commission considers submissions from unions, employers and government before deciding whether wages should increase, and by how much.
The SDA makes detailed submissions on behalf of members, explaining:
How rising prices are affecting retail and fast food workers.
Why low-paid workers need real wage increases, not pay cuts in disguise.
Why a genuine living wage matters for dignity, fairness and economic security.
Over the last few years, the SDA's advocacy in the Fair Work Commission has helped to deliver important pay rises:
Year
Pay rise
2022
4.60%
2023
5.75%
2024
3.75%
2025
3.50%
The Annual Wage Review isn't just about pushing what's fair for workers - it's also about stopping employer groups from keeping wages low through their submissions.
Over many years, Unions have protected workers from employer proposals that would have left retail workers much worse off.
The SDA argued for a fair wage rise in the Fair Work Commission and at the same time hundreds of new members joined the SDA to show their support for fair pay rises. Many employer groups argued for little or no increases to your wages. When it comes to the Annual Wage Review, employer lobby groups push back against pay rises while unions argue for your wages to go up.
In 2025, we won a 3.50% pay rise to the Retail & Fast Food Awards. Without continued campaigning from the SDA and SDA members, employer lobby groups will continue to call for minimal or no increases at all.
We need to make sure that does not happen.
In 2026, we are campaigning for a pay rise that keeps up with cost of living. Retail, fast food warehouse workers deserve pay rise in 2026.
The SDA originally called for a 5% wage increase but in light of updated inflation figures in the lead up to the AWR decision, the SDA has revised its submission to instead call for a 6% wage increase.
It is crucial that we secure a wage increase that is ahead of inflation.
Being a member of the SDA helps win better wages and fair working conditions. It’s the best way to make a difference in your workplace from campaigning to lift wages to resolving disputes, the SDA is always there to help.
Not an SDA member? Join today!
“SDA helped me with legal issues when I was stuck.”
– Jesse Smith, Member since 2017
All SDA members instantly gain access to:
Free Insurance coverage for injuries that happen on the way to and from work
Legal representation with workplace disputes & workers’ compensation
Negotiation of higher wages and improved conditions of work
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