Labour hire workers in line for pay increase thanks to new ‘same job, same pay’ laws
Australia’s labour hire workers are set for a boost in wages following the introduction of the government’s new “same job, same pay” laws. Under these laws, labour hire employees performing the same tasks as their directly employed counterparts will be entitled to equal pay, addressing longstanding pay disparities in sectors reliant on outsourced or temporary labour. The legislation, a significant move by the government, aims to ensure fairer pay practices, particularly in industries like mining, manufacturing, and agriculture, where labour hire is common. Previously, labour hire employees were often paid less than permanent staff despite performing identical roles. The “same job, same pay” laws will mean that labour hire workers receive equivalent compensation, covering base wages, allowances, overtime, and other entitlements. Industry reactions have been mixed, with unions and worker advocacy groups welcoming the reforms as a critical step toward wage fairness and financial security