The Catholic council lodged a claim in Australia's Fair Work Commission that the national minimum wage be set at A$669.60 a week.

The council's proposed increase is more than double the amount major employer groups have argued for.

Industry groups argue such an increase would lead to job losses.

ACCER chairman Brian Lawrence said its claim is based on the need for the national minimum wage to provide a decent standard of living for workers with family responsibilities.

"The claim of A$669.60 per week will not be sufficient to achieve the living wage objective, but it is a modest and realistic step in that process", Mr Lawrence said.

The Catholic Church is one of Australia's largest employers.

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