How do I write a pay rise email in Australia?

A good pay rise email in Australia is short, specific, and asks for a conversation rather than a yes-or-no over email. Open with the timing trigger (anniversary, project completion, market shift). Lead with three to five concrete, measurable achievements. Anchor with a number — either a target salary or a percentage — backed by market data (SEEK, Glassdoor, industry survey). Close by proposing a 30-minute meeting. Keep it under 300 words.

Should I ask for a specific number, or just request a review?

If you have credible market data and a clear case, anchor with a specific figure or percentage — research consistently shows anchoring leads to higher final outcomes. If you're early in the conversation, a tenure-based anniversary, or unsure of the data, an open review request can be a less confronting first move that opens the dialogue.

When is the best time of year to ask for a pay rise in Australia?

The strongest moments are: just before the annual review cycle (typically late June – August in line with EOFY), at the anniversary of your start date, just after the close-out of a major piece of work or budget cycle, and after a period where market salaries have visibly moved (e.g. a wage decision, an industry-wide change). Avoid asking in the middle of a redundancy round, a financial-stress quarter, or a major restructure.

What if my employer refuses?

An employer is not obliged to grant a pay rise above the legal minimum (the National Minimum Wage or your applicable Modern Award rate). If they refuse, the constructive next steps are: ask what would need to change for a yes, ask for a written timeline (e.g. review in 6 months), or ask for non-cash compensation (extra leave, formal title, training budget). Our AI Advisor at /advisor handles the common follow-ups including counter-offer scripts.

Is asking for a pay rise protected under the Fair Work Act?

Asking about pay or making an enquiry about your remuneration is the exercise of a workplace right. Adverse action against you (for example, a sudden Performance Improvement Plan, a demotion, a reduction in hours) because you raised a pay query is prohibited under Part 3-1 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (general protections). If something like that happens shortly after a pay rise request, that timing matters and is worth seeking advice on.

Pay Rise Request Email Generator

Free email generator for asking for a pay rise in Australia. Pairs with the Pay Rise Calculator. Choose tone, anchor a number, lead with achievements, propose the meeting. Not legal advice.

Last verified: 21 May 2026

How to make a pay rise email actually land

Lead with timing, not with the ask. A clear reason for the conversation now (anniversary, milestone, market shift) sets the frame.
Quantify achievements. “Delivered Q1 campaign 12% under budget” lands harder than “worked hard on Q1 campaign”.
One market data point (SEEK / Glassdoor / industry survey) turns “I'd like more” into “I'm below market”.
Ask for the meeting, not the answer. You want a conversation, not a yes-or-no over email.
Keep it short. Three to five lines of body, three to five achievement bullets. Anything longer dilutes the ask.

You and the manager

Your nameYour role titleManager full nameManager first name (used in greeting)If blank, falls back to "Dear [full name],".Date you started in the roleDate of your last salary review

The numbers

Not sure what to ask for? Use the Pay Rise Calculator first to anchor your number, then come back here.

Current base salaryExcluding superannuation.Target base salaryUse if you're asking for a specific figure.OR target % increaseUse if you're asking for a specific %.

The ask

Specific dollar figure

Strongest position when you have market data. Pair with the Pay Rise Calculator output.

Specific percentage

Useful when you want to anchor against your current salary (e.g. 'a 6% increase').

Open review (no figure)

Lower pressure — invites the conversation without anchoring a number. Good first move if you're unsure.

Tone

Formal

Closer to a written proposal. Right for senior roles, formal review cycles, or where written records matter.

Conversational

Warmer and shorter. Right for tight teams or where you already have a strong rapport with your manager.

Why now (timing)

Achievements (the strongest part of any pay rise email)

Concrete, recent, measurable. One per row. Three to five is the sweet spot — more than that and the email loses its punch.

Market benchmark (optional)

One sentence pointing to a recent SEEK/Glassdoor/industry survey data point. This is what turns “I'd like more” into “I'm below market”.

Meeting (optional)

Propose a 30-minute meeting to discussRecommended — pay rise conversations work better in person than over email.Your preferred slot (optional)E.g. "Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon next week".

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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.

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