The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

1.1.R.143 Relevant weekly wage

Definition

For the purposes of the IMP relevant weekly wage refers to the actual average weekly wage paid to the person in the job in which their employment has ceased.

Different workplaces may have different definitions of what comprises a person's relevant weekly wage. The industrial instrument that applies to that workplace (for example, an award, workplace agreement or common law contract) will usually define the components of a person's relevant weekly wage and may include entitlements such as regular overtime and allowances.

Where a person has received regular overtime or allowances as part of their weekly wage, these amounts should be included when calculating their relevant weekly wage for the IMP. Generally it would be appropriate to calculate a person's relevant weekly wage over a 52 week period.

Last reviewed: 2 January 2018

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