Financial counsellors welcome increase to national minimum wage

Financial Counselling Australia welcomes the Fair Work Commission’s decision to increase the national minimum wage by 3.5% to $24.95 per hour.

FCA co-CEO Peter Gartlan says financial counsellors regularly hear from workers who are struggling to cover basic living expenses.

Since the start of the year, there have been more than 71,000 enquiries to the National Debt Helpline (NDH). In 2024, the NDH fielded the most enquiries since 2019.

“The increase to the minimum wage is an important step in helping those who are struggling financially to make ends meet, particularly as cost-of-living pressures continue across Australia,” Mr Gartlan said.

For financial counselling support, visit ndh.org.au for free step-by-step guides and online chat or call the  NDH on 1800 007 007.

The NDH is staffed Monday to Friday during business hours. Data on NDH enquiries is available via the data portal.

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