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Employer representatives have criticised the Fair Work Commission's decision to phase out junior rates for some young adults, warning the change will make it less attractive to hire these workers.

The abolition of junior rates in three modern awards will cause employers to preference hiring more experienced counterparts, who will be paid the same amount, says ACCI CEO Andrew McKellar.

"Junior rates recognise that young workers are often new to the workforce and still developing skills. Removing them reduces the incentive for businesses to give young people a start," he says.

The Greens, meanwhile, describe the decision as a "big win" for young workers given real wages have been going backwards, noting its exclusion of workers aged 16–17 is "disappointing"...