Stay compliant with Annual Wage Review increases and Award rate changes.
Ongoing monitoring of Modern Award rates and Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decisions. We track when rates change, calculate new minimum pay levels, and ensure your pay rates stay compliant throughout the year.
The short answer
Rate monitoring is the ongoing tracking of Modern Award pay rates and Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decisions, so new minimum rates are calculated and applied to payroll by the date they take effect — keeping pay compliant without relying on memory. It’s one function of Award Compliance within your People Hub — part of a connected back office.
The Challenge
Common problems we solve
You miss Annual Wage Review increases and don't increase pay on the required date
You don't realise an Award has changed until a Fair Work audit identifies underpayment
You update some employees' rates but not others, creating inconsistency
You don't have a process for tracking when rates change, relying on memory
You discover underpayment years later when reviewing compliance
What's Included
Here's what you receive
Award Rate Monitoring
Ongoing monitoring of the Modern Award(s) applying to your business for any rate or classification changes.
Annual Wage Review Tracking
Tracking of the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review decision (usually announced in early June) and analysis of its impact on your Award minimum rates.
Rate Calculation
Calculation of new minimum pay rates for each classification when Awards are updated.
Compliance Notification
Notification of when rates change, what the new rates are, and when you must update payroll.
Payroll Update Guidance
Guidance on updating payroll systems with new rates and calculating any back pay if updates were missed.
Why It Matters
How it works
Annual Award rate changes are easy to miss if you're not monitoring. The Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review sets new minimum rates that apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year. If you don't update payroll from that date, you're underpaying and liable for back pay. Many small businesses only discover this during a Fair Work audit. Rate monitoring ensures you update proactively, stay compliant throughout the year, and have documented evidence of compliance. It also gives you certainty about your labour cost increases for budgeting and planning.
Automatic tracking of Award rate changes (usually annual updates)
Calculation of new minimum pay rates when updated
Notification of compliance changes and deadlines
Proactive updates to payroll before rates change
Reduced risk of accidental underpayment
Documented compliance record for audits
The Process
How rate monitoring works
Modern Award rates monitored for each employee throughout the year
Annual Wage Review decision (usually announced in early June) tracked and analysed for impact on Award rates
New rates calculated for each classification in your business
Required increase dates and amounts identified
Payroll updated before the operative date (the first full pay period on or after 1 July)
Confirmation provided that rates are compliant with updated Award
Best For
Who this service is ideal for
Small businesses with no dedicated HR or payroll systems for tracking compliance
Growing teams where rate compliance is difficult to track manually
Businesses wanting to avoid Fair Work compliance surprises
Owners wanting confidence that pay rates are always compliant
Complementary Services
Related services to explore
Classification Reviews
Review of employee classifications against the relevant Modern Award requirements. We ensure you're applying the Award correctly, employees are paid at the right classification level, and you're not exposed to back pay claims.
Compliance Calendar
Customized annual calendar of people and employment compliance obligations specific to your business. Track Modern Award updates, payroll tax deadlines, leave management milestones, and legislative changes throughout the year.
Continuous Auditing
Regular, ongoing audits of payroll, employment records, and Award compliance. We monitor for payment errors, classification issues, leave underpayment, and other compliance gaps, catching problems early.
Ready to get started with rate monitoring?
We can help you implement rate monitoring and start seeing results. Book a consultation to discuss your specific needs and explore how this service can transform your business.