Introduction of Starting Out Wage

From 1 May 2013, 16 and 17 year olds must be paid at not less than 80% of the adult minimum wage.

This arrangement will last for a maximum of 6 months of continuous employment with the same employer, or until the worker no longer satisfies the Act's rate criteria, whichever comes first.

There is divided public opinion on this new law, with its supporters on the one hand claiming that it will incentivise employment of young workers, and its detractors seeing the reduced wages as a failure to ensure a reasonable standard of living for young workers.