So, of course, this legislation progressing to second reading hasn't stopped us from extending the pay increase. In August last year, 5,000 mental health and addiction support workers received a pay increase backdated to 1 July 2017. Nearly half received an increase of more than $3 an hour, which meant full-time workers were paid an extra $120 a week before tax. If you're on a very low income, or earning near the minimum wage, that makes a substantial difference. One in five workers received an increase of more than $5 per hour, around an extra $200 for a 40-hour week.