During the school holidays many young workers will be keen to earn some extra money by working over the break, but in Western Australia there are restrictions on where and when children under 15 can work. Employers, parents and young workers need to know that children who are 13 or 14 can only work in a shop, fast food outlet, cafe, restaurant or deliver newspapers or other advertising material...

In June 2022, new employment obligations were introduced for people who directly employ someone to provide domestic services in their home. These people are referred to here as household employers. People who self-manage NDIS funding and directly employ their own support staff are likely to be household employers. Wageline has a publication specifically for household employers who employ a...

Higher penalties have been introduced for employers who contravene state employment laws or do not provide employees their legal employment entitlements. Under the new penalty provisions: maximum penalties for contravening an entitlement provision (for example, a provision of a WA award) have increased from $2,000 to $65,000 for bodies corporate and $13,000 for individuals maximum penalties for...

A range of new provisions were introduced in June 2022 in the state industrial relations system to increase employee protections and assist in combatting wage theft. The changes include new provisions which prohibit: employers compelling an employee to accept goods, accommodation or other services of any kind instead of money as part of the employee’s pay (‘payment in kind’) employers...

The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission varied the state Electrical Contracting Industry Award to increase allowances on 24 November 2022. The variations take effect from the first pay period on or after 24 November 2022. Wageline’s WA award summary has been updated with the new allowance rates and can be viewed at www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/awardsummaries A full copy of the award can be...

State system employers are prohibited from advertising employment at a rate of pay that is less than the minimum wage applicable to the job. Enforcement action can be taken against an employer who has advertised employment at a rate of pay below the legal minimum and penalties apply. This provision is one of the new employment protections introduced by the Industrial Relations Legislation...

The owners of two Perth cafes have been penalised a total of $14,300 for failing to produce employment records to an industrial inspector. Ahmed El Sayed Imam and Yan Desiree Hui - the owners of Sinamon café’s two locations at Victoria Park and Mt Lawley – were required by law to produce the employment records but failed to do so. Industrial inspectors from the Department of Mines, Industry...

It is nearly time for the Perth Royal Show, and Wageline is giving a timely reminder to all business owners, parents and young workers about children working at the Royal Show. There are restrictions on the ages children can work in Western Australia, and these laws apply to all workplaces including retail outlets, mobile food vans, and amusement rides at the Royal Show. Business owners and...

On 23 June 2022, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission increased the state minimum wage and all pay rates in WA awards effective from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2022. The state minimum wage for adult employees (21 and over) has increased by $40.90 per week to $887.40 per week. WA award rates of pay have increased with award rates below $887.40 increasing by $40.90...

Employers should start the new financial year right by making sure they are keeping the correct employment records. Additional record keeping obligations and pay slip requirements for state system employers commenced on 20 June 2022 Visit the Employment records – employment obligations page for details on record keeping requirements

It is now compulsory for all employers in state industrial relations system to provide their employees with pay slips containing specific information. The new pay slip requirements commenced on 20 June 2022, along with expanded employment record keeping obligations for employers. Employers now face significant penalties for not providing a pay slip, or providing a pay slip that is false or...