What is the name of Australia's national workplace-relations tribunal that sets minimum wages?

The Fair Work Commission is Australia's national workplace-relations tribunal that sets minimum wages.

Established in 2010 under the Fair Work Act 2009, the commission replaced the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. It is an independent statutory body responsible for functions including minimum-wage determinations, modern awards, enterprise-agreement approval, unfair-dismissal cases, and industrial action matters.

Each year, the commission conducts the Annual Wage Review. Its Expert Panel considers submissions and economic evidence before deciding changes to the national minimum wage and award wages. The decision affects employees who are not covered by a registered enterprise agreement or another wage arrangement that provides higher pay.

The Fair Work Commission is not the same as the Fair Work Ombudsman. The commission makes decisions and resolves certain disputes, while the Ombudsman provides education and investigates suspected breaches of workplace law. Australia’s national minimum wage is therefore set through a tribunal process rather than by a single legislative number.