Enterprise agreements helping 2.7 million workers get ahead

The Albanese Government’s reforms to reinvigorate enterprise bargaining have helped the wages of more than 2.7 million Australian workers grow faster than the cost of living. 

The Trends in Federal Enterprise Bargaining report for the December 2025 quarter shows workers covered by enterprise agreements are receiving average annual wage increases of 3.7 per cent, higher than economy-wide wages. 

This marks the ninth consecutive quarter enterprise agreement wages have delivered real pay rises.

This means workers’ pay is going further, allowing Australians to better manage cost of living pressures.

Wages under enterprise agreements are helping people better manage rent, groceries and household bills, while providing more certainty about future pay and conditions.

Enterprise bargaining activity also remained strong, with 1,072 agreements approved in the December quarter, meaning 2.74 million employees are now covered by an enterprise agreement – up from 2.65 million last quarter.

Private sector agreements approved during the quarter delivered an average annualised wage increase of 3.8 per cent, again outpacing public sector agreements which delivered 3.2 per cent. Strong wage outcomes were recorded across industries, including retail trade, rental, hiring and real estate services, and administrative and support services. 

The report also highlighted continued takeup of the Albanese Government’s Secure Jobs, Better Pay reforms. 

As at 31 December 2025, there were 64 current multi‑employer agreements, which covered more than 272,000 employees.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth: 

“These figures show enterprise bargaining is working, delivering real pay rises that help Australians keep up with the cost of living,” Minister Rishworth said.

“Australia’s labour market also remains resilient, with the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing employment rose to a record high in February of almost 15 million.”

Read the report on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.