Bill Shorten has declared Labor as the "only game in town" when it comes to protecting workers and getting wages moving, but the coalition says he'll only push incomes down.
Three days before the federal election, the Labor leader on Wednesday pledged ripped-off workers could have unpaid wage claims of up to $100,000 resolved in a day under a Shorten government.
A new jurisdiction would sit alongside the Fair Work Commission to crack down on "wage theft".
"It shouldn't be too hard, it shouldn't be too costly, to get what you are owed for a day's pay," he said.
Mr Shorten said lengthy and costly court proceedings too often deterred people from pursuing underpaid wages.
The proposed new jurisdiction would be able to mediate claims, as well as make and enforce orders for repayment of wages.
Claims brought forward by a group of workers against a single employer would also be allowed.
People in remote and regional areas will be able to access the new body, including through video conferencing.
Unions and employer groups will be able to represent parties in disputes.
The pledge came as unions took the case for a six per cent wage rise to the Fair Work Commission.
Latest data showed wages were up by 0.5 per cent in the March quarter, and 2.3 per cent over the year.
The same growth was recorded in the December quarter.
Mr Shorten said Australia needed a government committed to restoring penalty rates, which had been reduced in some industries, and making the minimum wage a "living wage".
"We are the only game in town when it comes to wages policy," he told reporters in Perth.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg urged voters to look at what Labor does rather than what they say.
"Bill Shorten will talk about lifting wages but the fact is his policies will make wages go down," he told reporters in Melbourne.
"The Labor party when they were last in office saw the real minimum wage actually go down three times out of the last six years."
As a union leader Bill Shorten oversaw workers penalties go down through special deals between unions and employers, the treasurer added.
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said the latest wage figures were "very disappointing".
If the opposition wins on Saturday, it has also pledged to ensure labour-hire workers get the same pay for the same job.
Mr Shorten committed to holding a summit between unions and big and small business in Perth in early June, if elected.
