Am I getting less than the minimum wage for my age? Answers will be very much appreciated! ?

Question

I'm 16 years old, living in Sydney Australia and am working at a newsagency for what I think is a ridiculously low pay rate. The lowest wage I have heard of, both through friends and online, of someone who is in the exact same situation as I (16, living in Sydney, casual worker), is around $6.65 per hour as far as I can remember, but I am earning even less than that, at $6.50 an hour. I have asked my boss about my rate of pay and she said I must remind her everytime I have a birthday because that is what she bases my pay rise on. The thing that annoys me is that I have a friend who turned 16 recently, and so got a pay rise of $7.67 while my birthday is in a few months but I will be turning 17, but my pay will also rise to $7.67....I think this is quite unfair but I'm not sure how I should discuss this with my boss. Any suggestions?

sadie_oyes · Accepted Answer

http://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/awards/controller.jsp?awardCode=135&view=currentRates
Part-time administration jobs for 17 year old (junior ungraded) $7.66 per hr.
(under 17 - $6.12 per hr)

Lulu S · Answer

I think you should find out the minumun wage for a 16 year old in Australia,. Then compare that rate to the money you are earning right now. If the minumum wage is higher than what you're earning then speak to your boss. Tell her that the what the min. wage for a 16 year old is and the money you are earning. Perhaps shes not aware of this . Be advised that she may fire you because you are standing up to her and she may take it as disrepectful. Good luck mate!!

fruitsalad · Answer

Yes, it sounds like you are being paid one year younger than you actually are. The NSW Shop Employees Award provides a minimum of $7.975/hr for part time, or $9.170/hr for casual work for a 16 year old. Print off a copy of the award from www.industrialrealtions.nsw.gov.au/awards and discuss it with your boss. Your boss could face heavy penalties for not doing the right thing, so you have the upper hand. You should ask for back pay to make your pay up to the right amount.

Rae&#39;s Momma · Answer

You could be, when I worked at McDonald's I was getting paid less than minimum wage and when I confronted my boss about it he said since I was a minor he didn't have to pay me minimum wage.

Neon Mitch · Answer

minimum wage is set statewide.  if you arent making legal minimum wage then you should be and you have the right to be.  but then again if you are being payed 'under the table' without taxes taken out, then i wouldnt complain.

unless you are a waiter like me.... 
$2.13 an hour (plus tips)

abc · Answer

Goto department of labor or work relations. in your country.
they will have laws that protect the working conditions for teenagers [including minimum pay laws for teenagers]. ask them if what your employer did has violated the minimum pay law according to your condition.

Anonymous · Answer

well i live in australia (melbourne) and my mates are getting about $10 an hour.....15/16s

get a better job your wasting your time even if it not below minimum wage ......u can do better

Anonymous · Answer

department of fair trading can lead you in the right direction give them a call there in the phone book

John L · Answer

less wages is better than none...

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Am I getting less than the minimum wage for my age? Answers will be very much appreciated! ?

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