FY24 Pay Increase - How did you go?

I just got my annual remuneration review letter yesterday and have been left feeling very short changed. My salary is annualised and I've been with my company for 4 years now and have had a: 0% (COVID Peak), 5%, 5% increases the past few years and then this year only got a 2.7% salary increase. I went above and beyond the past 12 months busting my arse, putting in a bunch of OT and delivering on all my targets (same as the prior few years). In my annual performance review my manager couldn't fault me on anything and was marked as 'exceeds satisfactory job performance'. I was expecting a full 5% increase like the prior few years. My company generates about 550M revenue per year and faired quite well the past year with profits up 5.3%.

I flagged this with my manager and got told they could only afford the lower increase this year because of the 5.75% increase for staff on award rates.

With inflation averaging 6.7% the last 12 months stacked with so many cost of living increases, receiving only 2.7% has left me feeling very ripped off.

Did you receive a pay increase this year? How much and how do you feel about it?

Poll Options

  • 198
    0%
  • 7
    0-0.99%
  • 23
    1-1.99%
  • 58
    2-2.99%
  • 92
    3-3.99%
  • 88
    4-4.99%
  • 225
    5%+

Comments

  • I feel the % pay rise is meaningless and the actual salary is what matters.

    % inflation is an indicator, but not as relevant as actual increase in my bills and my other expenses.

    So combining the two, I felt okay with the result. Did I bust my ass? Yes. Do I want more? Of course. Do I feel sad about it? Nope

    • +16

      So if inflation was 6% and you got a 3% pay rise, but you earn $200k, so it was a sizeable dollar amount, you would be ok with it?
      I don’t think I am following. Are you saying the inflation rate isn’t a good indicator of your personal expenses so you need a higher or lower pay rise to remain on the same footing?

      • +1

        I didn’t say inflation is not a indicator of my expenses. I do think inflation is not a good indicator for pay rise.

        If someone is on 60k and gets 6% payrise, but their mortgage repayment has gone up by more than 5k a year, they still wont meet ends need. 6% means little to combat inflation.

        The pay rise personally links to rewards, and like ops getting 2.7% instead of 5% feels shit. So while i have bust my ass like OPs and feel I deserve more, I’m not sad. Because i didnt put myself into heavy debts and need that 6% increase to remain on same footing. I can still afford to living.

        My salary is nowhere near 200k.

    • +2

      As long as a boss pretends your salary is high,
      then pretend that you have much work to do,
      until greener pasture.

    • +2

      I agree. Like I got. 2.6% pay rise. Which took my pay from ~196k to ~201k. My living expenses didn't rise by $5k. I wasn't expecting anything as I'm at the higher end for my level of experience and I really don't think I'm worth that much.

      • +4

        casual flex,
        what field you in?

        • +2

          Transport modeller (civil engineering)

          • +1

            @Name: Geezus thats a well paid modeller, ours were on around $150k.

            Basically dark magic wizardry with assumptions you can make up.

            Admittedly it is niche and there's only so many of them.

            • @Drakesy:

              it is niche and there's only so many of them.

              Yup. Difficult to get people into it too. Most grads / junior staff give it a go, don't like it and go into other areas.

              I've moved around consulting companies a bit which helped bump the pay up.

      • +6

        You forgot tax. That 5k increase is only about $2.5k.

  • +50

    Leave. The best way to get more pay is to move around every couple of years. Loyalty means nothing these days. I guarantee you, they’re paying new employees more than you to get them in.

    • +3

      Yeah, it's been on the cards for a while. I'm well underpaid at the current company I'm at and there aren't any opportunities to move up. Everyone above me has been with the company for 8+ years. Don't really feel like treading water in the same position for another few years. I've interviewed for a few roles in the past year and narrowly missed out on one of them which would have been a 30% pay increase.

      • +3

        Now you know. Would you leave for +10% or +20%. Sometimes better to land a job paying extra 10% then go for another 10% in 2 or 3 years than sitting around and sucking bananas with the rest of the primates.

        • +1

          Definitely keeping my eye out for any decent roles coming up. Would take 10% with opportunities in a heart beat.

      • Everyone above me has been with the company for 8+ years. Don't really feel like treading water in the same position for another few years.

        This is a typical issue of most companies in countries with a relatively smaller size of economy, limited to a few industries. A low number of growth companies (or new start ups) mean less opportunities, and less opportunities mean that less people move around. Not great for employees.

    • +1

      That's how I got mine.
      The place I was at gave me 0% - so I moved and got myself 12%.

      • Mine was giving me about 2% each year, but the remuneration included super so when I moved and super was on top, it was about a 25% increase.

    • This.

      Was facing the same situation and accepted another role with a 35% increase. Then my employer countered with a higher position plus 23% increase. All things considered - experience, extra responsibility, my team, exposure, opportunities - leaving was still the better option.

      Good luck with it all.

      • +3

        leaving was still the better option.

        Leaving is always the better (only?) option once you disclose it to your existing employer. The higher position plus 23% was only temporary anyway; they would have started looking for your replacement rightaway.

  • +28

    Y’all are getting raises?

  • +18

    In order to get a fair pay raise you need to change jobs, your employer is not your friend, they do not care about you

  • +1

    I got about 5%, because I threatened to leave and TBH I don't know what the company would do if I left.

    • +31

      They would replace you within a few weeks.

      • They've been trying for 5 years to find another me. Unsuccessfully I might add.

        • +2

          Did they offer you more?

          • @Craze: I got 3% at the start of the year, then got the annual 3% mid year that everyone gets. Think I might have done my maths wrong.

            • +2

              @Some Human: just leave and reapply for your position when they are hiring again. instant 50k payrise

        • +3

          Hard to find a sucker that willing to work an unreplaceable role for that pay bracket.

  • +4

    I typically only get 2-3% every year but I also get a bonus which is usually more than one month's salary.

    • +1

      If you get that bonus every year then it's part of your salary, not a raise. You still got 2-3%.

      • yeah I guess so but the bonus is never guaranteed so you never know.

        • Fair enough, but still it is dependent on your/company's performance, not inflation.

  • +1

    We got 6% on the base rate across the board.
    I wasn’t complaining before the increase, so 6% was a nice surprise.

  • +2

    0% x $0 = yep still $0
    .

    • +1

      you should have said 5% x $0 = $0

      • Well, I probably deserved 3% (meets expectations)
        .

  • -2

    No pay rise

    I am really incensed at the well-off mongrel desk jockeys that get the big bucks and big raises doing nothing.

    Australia is really becoming a land of inequality

    • +8

      You are free to join them? Though it is easier to just complain.

      • +3

        I don't think it's as easy as saying ppl are free to do the same thing.
        We are not all born equal and we do not all have the same opportunities or the same challenges. I think it's important to recognise this fact.
        I do believe we can change our situations and make improvements/work to better ourselves but this doesn't mean everyone has in their power to join in on big salaries and increases.

        • That's right, it's not easy but definitely achievable if people are willing to put in a lot of effort and have the right attitude.
          I came from a poor country and worked my way up. Currently in the top tax bracket. Australia is a great country if you have a go.

        • +1

          You don't have to be a genius to make good money. There are opportunities everywhere if people choose to take them. Most choose not to.

    • +2

      Disagree, Australia is a land of opportunity if you have the right attitude and be prepared to work for it. Speaking from my own experience.

      • +1

        be prepared to work for it

        This is the part people don't like. They want equality of outcome, regardless of effort put in, rather than equality of opportunity.

        • +8

          That is sometimes part of it, but a nursing home cleaner or a milk bar fry cook works much harder than me and earns less. Most high earners have been as much a product of luck, and compounding luck as they have a good break that opens up more.
          Telling a labourer who just lifted bricks for 9 hours that it is their reluctance to work hard is obviously not the thing preventing them from high earnings.

          • +1

            @mskeggs: Yes, some people are lucky to win the life lottery and are born with more opportunities than workers like us. There's nothing I can do about that and I'm not going to whinge about inequality.
            The point is it's not just about working hard, it's the mindset. I came from a poor country with poor parents who were labourers and they work hard and instilled good growth mindset in me. I worked hard and struggled in my early career but now reaping what I sowed. This may not be for everyone as some people simply wants to be cooks/cleaners. There is a way out if they don't as we are in a land of opportunity if they choose to pursue other things.

          • -1

            @mskeggs: The point is that they should have chosen to do something other than being a nursing home cleaner. They didn't want to study, didn't go into a trade etc. They went the path of least resistance, and continue to do so, when there is so much opportunity to upskill.

            • @brendanm: That's not really true though. Some people can't afford to take time off to study or re-train. While it's nice to think that everyone could apply the opportunity cost formula to deciding whether or not to pursue further education and come to the conclusion they will earn a higher income afterwards, if they can't meet their immediate needs due to lost earnings whilst they dedicate time to study/training (especially with housing and food so expensive now!), then the decision is pretty much made for them.

              • -1

                @Belts: You can study and work, that's a cop out.

                • @brendanm: If you say so.

                  • +3

                    @Belts: People do it all the time. My wife is currently doing a uni degree while working full time. Making excuses doesn't get you very far sadly.

                    • -1

                      @brendanm: If you say so.

                      • +1

                        @Belts: Ok, you don't want to try, that's fine, just don't complain.

                        • @brendanm: You don't need to respond to comments that you think are people complaining. The world doesn't revolve around you and your anecdotal stories.

                          • +1

                            @Vanceer: There are lots of things I don't need to do. I chose to do so. You didn't need to respond to me responding to that guy, but you did, and that's ok.

    • Yes. My do-nothing desk jockey job is so invaluable to the multi-billion dollar company I work for and add value to, that they feel it’s not worth the money they remunerate me each month.

      Riiight.

  • +1

    50%

  • +2

    It depends on how much you are on.

    2.7% on $250k is a lot better than 5.75% on like $50k.

    • Not really, it's about the same because of tax. At $50k, you may pay net zero tax (when you consider the benefits that you receive). At $250k, you lose half straight away.
      Having said that, of course overall $250k is better but from an absolute number perspective in this specific case, the pay increase is about the same.

      • But a very meaningful raise on $50k, but a rounding error on $250k.

      • Pros to that is the every dollar of tax deductions returns you 50c

      • It's not the same. The numbers don't matter when cost of living is increasing, and the $50k earners (which are a majority of earners) can't afford to save anything.

        Someone earning $250k gets other benefits that reduce their tax while passively earning wealth, and living comfortably. They also don't lose half, but roughly 35% with Medicare levy.

  • Well, considering we're striking and now the second lowest paid teachers in the country (QLD lowest then SA), I think any movement to competitive salaries would be great.

    However, people are too busy teacher bashing and telling me about all the holiday I get (which are unpaid), to actually listen…

    sigh might see some movement in 2025 knowing how it goes 🤷‍♀️

    • +3

      Starting salary for a qld ed teacher, is $81,628… even if you are unpaid over holidays, that seems like a good rate for a 40 week year… and that’s the floor, there are some loadings on top of that, plus increments with experience. Also, I don’t think qld teachers are second lowest paid in the country… not at the starting rate anyway.
      https://teach.qld.gov.au/teach-in-queensland-state-schools/p…

      Starting salary for nsw ed teacher is $73,737.
      https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/indu…

      Starting salary for vic ed teacher: $76,484
      https://news.aeuvic.asn.au/app/uploads/2022/02/T122_VGSA_Sal…

      Edit: sorry misread your first part… you’re in South Australia. Bit hard to interpret the pay scale for SA.
      https://www.education.sa.gov.au/docs/p-and-c/employee-relati…

      • +1

        Starting rate for NSW teachers is $85000 from October this year.

      • If you're not permanent, your casual. Most TRTs/contract teachers are lucky to crack $60k. Large portions are on $30-40k.

        Pay is an issue. But lack of permanent positions is a bigger problem.

        Id take a permanent job over a pay rise. One of the many reasons people bail.

        • +1

          Oh gees, that’s depressing, 4 years of study and struggling to hit $60k and/or job security (permanent). Also a lot of responsibility managing a class room. I know teachers don’t enter the profession for the money, but that’s rough… a starting rate of mid 70s to low 80s seems more appropriate. I guess the other part is the ceiling.

          Maybe we should have done engineering instead and/or FIFO mining.

          • +1

            @Worf:

            Oh gees, that’s depressing, 4 years of study and struggling to hit $60k and/or job security (permanent).

            And then they say there's a severe shortage of teachers. I don't get how this works. Doesn't a shortage mean that most teaching course graduates (or at least the deserving ones) should land a decent paying job?

        • +1

          You say you would take a permanent job but you won’t move.

          Go out to outer suburban or country areas… plenty of jobs…. Transition?

          Casual teachers are not full time…

          Tier 1: $358.32 per day
          Tier 2: $376.79 per day
          Tier 3: $395.28 per day
          Tier 4: $413.74 per day
          Tier 5: $432.28 per day
          Tier 6: $450.75 per day
          Tier 7: $469.22 per day
          Tier 8: $494.22 per day
          Tier 9: $519.69 per day
          This information is accurate as of 13/05/2022,

          On these numbers a beginning teacher in SA could work 100 days (6 months of a calendar year) get $36k and chill. It’s a lifestyle thing.

          • +7

            @Eeples: Oh I just love the piling on. Sure, ill get my partner to quit his career and pull my family out of school so i can teach in a country school.

            Last year, SA offered less than 500 permanent positions. This year, it's been less.

            Tell me again how we're all bludgers because we wont become nomads. Strangely, I note few others are willing to ever do similar to their families, hence they cant even fill FIFO teacher roles.

            And, not that I should have to justify myself but I have taught years in Cat 1/2 schools specialising in learning support, autism, EALD and more. I've done my time 'out in the burbs' and I should be able to put my family first instead of travelling hours daily, being hit by students, mugged in the staff carpark and abused by parents.

            • -4

              @Benoffie: It is hard to rationalise a teacher shortage with what you are asserting regarding the lack of permanent positions.

              And, actually, if it isn’t worth you moving you and your family to the country or where ever for a permanent job… then you don’t need a permanent job that much.

        • ….where is there a lack of perm positions?

          What positions? PE?

      • -3

        The starting salary soon rises to $120,000 though. On a new site I read about a middle aged teacher who owned around 18 houses. So much for being underpaid. Ah, found the link: https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/buying/former-mu…

        • +2

          Starting salary does not soon rise to $120k

  • 3

  • +8

    LMAO if we put in inflation im pretty sure im taking a 'pay cut'

    • +4

      I think the vast majority of us have!

    • +2

      Heard some professions have received a pay rise (3-4%) and an additional cost of living adjustment (capped at a maximum additional 3%, based on CPI print). Which kind of makes sense if inflation is transient and costs return to pre-pandemic levels; however, i doubt deflation will occur… in which case wages will be down in real terms (purchasing power) after cost of living adjustment payments end.

      Anyone here have a cost of living adjustment built into their enterprise bargaining agreement? If so, thoughts?

      • Yes, stoked, and I think they regret it

  • 4.7% for me. My bonus was more than I was expecting though

  • +1

    Where is the negative option? I went back -0.5%

  • 5+% is the highests? Hmmmm I got 62% this year!

  • 18% increase after asking for 20%.

    • -2

      Wife got 20%+ - looking forward to stage 3 cuts.

  • yep, 60c payrise, frothing……………

  • +1

    4%… Thanks NSW Labor

    • +4

      8%…. Thanks to NSW Labor.

      …maybe you ought to throw some blame at your union?

  • I got like 4.7 percent which I was incredibly happy with.. A lot of my co workers said they felt "short changed"

  • +3

    The pay packet is just the bribe your employer
    gives you to forget your dream. So don't give up on your dream.

    • What if your dream
      is to get a bigger pay packet?

      • If the ultimate dream doesn't inspire you,
        then it's too small.

    • -2

      Well everyone is underpaid.

      If not, then the business could do without you.

      • To get low pay is a starter but not the end; yet finally being a free agent is wonderful now
        — and that dream didn't become reality through magic;
        it took sweat, determination and hard work —
        from the grubby ground up doing
        what almost no one else would care to do.

  • +1

    I know someone that just got a 11% pay rise out of the blue. Then we told the three should be able to get more EOY (December for them) not a bad deal is they get another 5% or so.

  • I changed jobs in April that got me a 13% increase. 2 months later I got 4.5% yearly. Can’t complain!

  • Between December 2022 and June 2026 we have/will receive the below increases:
    * 3 per cent already paid from December 2022;
    * 4 per cent already paid from June 2023;
    * a proposed 3 per cent increase from June 2024;
    * a proposed 3 per cent increase from June 2025; and
    * a proposed 3 per cent increase from June 2026.

    • You happy with that ?

      • Not really. I think better than most. Fortunate to work in industry where super is 17%. That's pretty much what's keeping me where I am.

  • +1

    You are only feeling short changed because you have been given generous 5% pay increases in the past. As the survey shows, the majority of people got 0%, so you need to be thankful.
    I have worked in various professional roles over the past 20 years and if I was lucky enough to get an increase, 1 to 3% was normal.

    • -3

      In fact, one could say those generous rises contributed to inflation

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