Australia's Fair Pay Commission said it would hold steady the country's minimum wage in recognition of uncertain times for the economy.
Australia's lowest-paid workers will continue to receive $543.78 a week. The commission said that other pay and classification scales under its jurisdiction would also remain unchanged.
Commission Chairman Ian Harper said the decision had been a difficult one but reflected the uncertain times for the Australian economy and labour market. "This is not the time to risk the jobs of low paid Australians by increasing minimum wages," he said.
Last year, Australia's lowest-paid workers received a 4.1% pay increase.