The Minister of Labour has announced increases to the minimum wage rates.  From 1 April 2011, the adult minimum wage will increase to $13.00 an hour. That’s $104 for an eight hour day, and $520 for a 40 hour week. The new entrants’ minimum wage and the training minimum wage will increase to $10.40 an hour.  That’s $83.20 for an eight hour day, and $416 for a 40 hour week.

There are three minimum wage rates:

• the adult minimum wage applies to all employees aged 16 and over who are not new entrants or trainees
   
• the new entrants minimum wage applies to employees aged 16 and 17 except for those who have completed 200 hours or three months of employment, whichever is shorter; or who are supervising or training other workers; or who are trainees
   
• the training minimum wage applies to employees aged 16 and over who are doing recognised industry training involving at least 60 credits a year.

There is no statutory minimum wage for employees who are under 16 years old.

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