The Fair Work Commission has handed down it's annual ruling on Australia's minimum wage, raising it by 2.4 per cent to $672.70 a week.

It means an extra $15.80 per week for the 1.8 million workers who are paid the minimum wage.

It will apply from July 1 and equates to a minimum hourly rate of $17.70.

It's half the increase the unions wanted but double what the Australian Chamber of Commerce was calling for.

But how does Australia stack up against other countries?

Pretty well it turns out.

Here are the minimum wage rates in some of the world's biggest economies:

Australia: $17.70 per hour

That's based on today's Fair Work Commission decision. It was $17.29 per hour.

United Kingdom: $AU14.66 per hour

Workers 25 and over receive the National Living Wage which is 7.20 pounds per hour as of April 2016.

New Zealand: $AU14.22 per hour

Over the ditch the adult minimum wage is $NZD15.25 per hour.

France: $AU14.98 per hour

The French earn a gross hourly minimum wage of 9.67 euros, which includes base salary, fringe benefits and bonuses linked to productivity.

It's adjusted every year on January 1.

Germany: $AU13.17 per hour

In Germany you'll earn 8.50 euros per hour, but higher minimum wages are often set by collective bargaining agreements.

It's the first ever minimum wage in Germany and was set in 2014.

Canada: $AU10.45 - 13.81 per hour

The figure is set according to province or territory where the employee is usually employed.

The hourly rate can be as low as $CA10.45 in British Columbia to as high as $CA13 in Nunavut.

United States: $AU10.08 per hour

You'll earn at least $US7.25 per hour, that's the federally set rate.

But many US states also have their own minimum wage laws.

Employees are entitled to the higher wage where laws overlap, meaning workers in New York receive $US9 per hour, those in California $US10 per hour and Arizona $US8.05 per hour.

Japan: $AU10.01 per hour

What you'll earn varies depending on the region where you're employed.

It can be as high as 907 yen per hour in Tokyo, to as low as 693 yen in Okinawa, Miyazaki, Kochi and Tottori.

On average you'll earn 798 yen per hour.

Mexico: $AU5.50 per hour

The general minimum wage in Mexico is 73.04 pesos per hour.

But there are higher rates depending on what kind of work you're completing.

Czech Republic: $AU3.37 per hour

The basic minimum wage is 58.70 Czech koruna per hour.

China: $AU1.68 - 3.93 per hour

Minimum wages are set locally, ranging from 8 renminbi in Heilongijang to 18.7 renminbi in Beijing.

Brazil: $AU341.16 per month

The minimum wage per month is $880 real.

Each Brazilian state sets its own minimum wage which can be higher than the federal minimum wage.

India: $AU3.09 - 7.44 per day

Wages in India vary from 150 rupees per day in Bihar to 361 rupees per day in Delhi.

NOTE: rates have been converted on exchange rates that were correct as of May 31, 2016.