Aussie workers hoping for a pay rise

Australian workers are looking to their employers for some relief amid a cost of living crisis, according to new research by Finder.

A Finder nationally representative survey of 632 Australian workers found 1 in 5 (22%) are hoping for a pay rise in the next 3 months. 

This includes 13% who say they are in the process of trying to negotiate their pay, and 9% who want a raise but are afraid to ask.

The research shows 1 in 6 workers (17%) negotiated a higher salary over the past 3 months – 9% have talked their employer into raising their pay, while 8% earned a pay bump by switching jobs.

Less than a third of businesses (30%) plan to increase employee wages in the next 3 months according to ABS data – a figure that jumps to 49% for large businesses – while 8% plan to introduce new staff benefits.

Graham Cooke, head of consumer research at Finder, said the aftershocks of the pandemic continue to impact Australia's labour market.

“The lack of migrants and backpackers has severely dampened the number of workers, including in sectors like agriculture which traditionally rely on labour supply from overseas.

“We’re also in the midst of a COVID surge as well as the worst flu season in years, which means at any one time a large portion of a company’s employees are off sick,” Cooke said.

ABS data shows the industries most likely to increase staff wages over the next 3 months are administrative and support services (59%), accommodation and food services (42%), and information media and telecommunications services (40%).

At the other end of the spectrum, those working in electricity, gas, water and waste services (15%), health care and social assistance (20%), and construction (22%) are the least likely to receive a pay bump.

Finder’s research reveals male employees (19%) are more likely than their female counterparts (14%) to have negotiated a higher salary within the past 3 months.

Cooke said the demand for higher wages is another reason companies are struggling to fill roles.

“Many Australians are praying for a pay bump to ease cost of living pressures. 

“If you think you deserve more money but your employer won’t budge, it can’t hurt to see what other roles are out there – just don’t sacrifice your long-term career goals for a short-term pay rise.”

More than half of generation Z workers (58%) have recently negotiated or are hoping for a pay rise, compared to 47% of millennials and 25% of generation X.

Cooke said rather than making more and spending more, there are other ways to boost your cash flow.

“Go for low hanging fruit like eating out less, studying a certificate online, cancelling subscription services, a cheaper mobile phone plan and taking a break from online shopping. 

“With interest rates crawling up, now is a good time to switch to a high-interest savings account.

“Other non-savings products like Finder Earn allow Aussies to earn up to 4.01% p.a. for deposits of up to $100,000, with interest paid daily. 

“You can withdraw your capital at any time, so this can be used as a short-term or long-term option to grow your wealth.”

* ‘Other services’ includes repair and maintenance (e.g. automotive, machinery, clothing), personal services (e.g. beauty services, funeral services, laundry services), and private household staff.