The Area and Scope and Definitions clauses of the state Metal Trades (General) Award have been updated to expand the coverage of this WA award to a broader range of employees and their employers. 

This change, which is effective from 21 November 2023, was made as part of a process being undertaken by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission to update the scope of a number of private sector WA awards. 

The key change to the coverage of the Metal Trades (General) Award is that it now broadly covers employers and employees in the “metal trades and associated industries and occupations”, including a wide variety of metal, manufacturing, fabrication, engineering and electrical work.  

The award also extends to the manufacture, making, assembly, processing, treatment, fabrication and preparation of all products made from, or containing, steel, iron, metal, sheet metal, tin, brass, copper and non-ferrous metal.

The previous scope clause gave coverage only to employees who were employed by certain types of businesses.  

Other amendments to the area and scope clauses ensure that the award:

• applies to metal trades employees working for labour hire organisations;
• does not apply to employers and employees in the national industrial relations system; and
• applies to employers who are “connected to the State of Western Australia” and their employees while performing work covered by the award.

The Order varying the Metal Trades (General) Award will be available on the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission website in due course.