See Upcoming changes to state employment laws for details on the changes.
Two systems of employment law operate for the private sector in Western Australia, the state industrial relations system and the national fair work system.
If you are not sure if you are in the state or national system, the first step in finding the right pay rate is to visit Which system of employment law applies.
To find the right pay rate for an employee in the state industrial relations system:
- check if a WA award applies to the particular job by visiting WA awards for common jobs.
- if the employee works for a larger business or organisation, check whether an industrial agreement applies, by checking with the human resources or payroll area.
WA award pay rates will be listed in the Wageline WA award summary for the award or in the award itself on the .
Some WA award rates are currently below the State Minimum Wage. Employees must be paid the minimum pay rates if the relevant WA award has a lower pay rate.
Industrial agreements are also available on the .
If there is no WA award or industrial agreement that applies to a job, the employee must receive at least the minimum rate of pay. Minimum pay rates for award free employees lists the current minimum rates.
For help with finding the right pay rates, you can call Wageline on 1300 655 266.
Watch our video on finding the right pay rate
