When starting out in employment it is important that you know what you are entitled to be paid. There are three different types of minimum wages in New Zealand:
- Starting out wage;
- Training wage;
- Adult wage.
Starting Out Wage
The starting out wage applies to 16-17 year olds who have not yet completed six months service with their employer. The starting out wage also applies to 18-19 year olds who have received a benefit for six months or more, and have not completed six months continuous employment with their employer.
Employers aged 16-19 who are required under their employment agreement to undertake industry training for at least 40 credits a year, as directed by their employment agreement, will also be entitled to the starting out wage.
The starting out rate currently stands at $16 an hour.
Training Wage
The training wage applies to employees aged 20 or over who are required to undertake industry training for at least 60 credits as directed by their employment agreement. The training wage is also currently $16 an hour.
Adult Wage
The adult minimum wage applies to employees aged 16 years or older to whom the starting out and the training wage does not apply. The adult minimum wage is currently $20 an hour, but is due to be increased in April to $21.20 an hour.
At present there are no minimum wage requirements for employees aged 15 years or under.
