WA awards for common jobs

This page is for: 
EmployerEmployee / worker

This information is only relevant to employers and employees in the WA state industrial relations system – sole traders, unincorporated partnerships, unincorporated trusts and some incorporated or not for profit organisations. Find out more on the Guide to who is in the WA state system page.

If you operate or are employed by a Pty Ltd business – you can find information on this topic on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

How to use this page

This page outlines some of the most common jobs and the relevant WA awards that apply when people are working for businesses in the state industrial relations system. 

Wageline has WA award summaries for the 35 most common WA awards, and a summary of pay rates and entitlements for award free employees. This page provides links to these documents where appropriate. For jobs covered by WA awards that do not have a Wageline WA award summary, a link to the full award on the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission website is provided. 

Please note that the information on this page is intended as a guide only and may not be correct for your specific situation. It is recommended that you contact Wageline for further information about the WA award that applies to you. 

Automotive spraypainter

An automotive spraypainter is likely to be covered by the Vehicle Builders Award. 

Automotive electrician

A automotive electrician is likely to be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award. 

Baker

A baker working in a bakery in the Perth metropolitan area (within a 45km radius of the central Perth General Post Office) is likely to be covered by the Bakers (Metropolitan) Award

A baker working in a bakerty in a regional area is likely to be covered by the Bakers (Country) Award.

Barista

A barista working in a cafe or restaurant is likely to be covered by the Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award

Barperson

There are several WA awards covering the work of a barperson. The award that applies will depend on the type of business: 

Beauty therapist

A beauty therapist is likely to be award free.  View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

Bee keeper

A bee keeper is likely to be award free.  View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

Boilermaker

A boilermaker is likely to be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award. 

Bricklayer

A bricklayer employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work done not on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply. 

Builder's labourer

An adult builder's labourer employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award.  A junior employee (under 20 years of age) working as a builder's labourer will be award free unless the consent of the union to engage a junior employee under the award has been obtained.

For work done not on a construction site, an adult builder's labourer may be covered by the Building Trades Award. A junior employee (under 20 years of age) working as a builder's labourer will be award free.  

Butcher (retail)

A butcher working in a retail butcher's shop is likely to be covered by the Meat Industry Award. 

Cabinet maker

A cabinet maker or installer is likely to be covered by Furniture Trades Industry Award.

Carpenter

A carpenter employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work done not on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply. 

Chef, Cook, Kitchenhand

There are several WA awards covering the work of a chef, cook or kitchenhand. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

Child care worker

Cleaner

There are several WA awards covering the work of a cleaner. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

Computer software technician / computer programmer / IT worker

Employees working in IT are generally award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary. 

Counterhand

A counterhand employed in a lunch bar, cafe or fast food outlet* is likely to be covered by the Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award. 

* Fast food businesses in the state system trading as:  Red Rooster, Pizza Hut, Hungry Jacks, KFC, Chicken Treat, Chooks Fresh and Tasty, McDonalds, Subway or Heros Pizza are covered by the Fast Food Outlets Award (links to WA Industrial Relations Commission website). 

Dog / Pet Groomer

A dog or pet groomer is likely to be award free.  View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

Driver or driver assistant

There are several WA awards covering the work of a driver or driver assistant. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

Electrician 

The WA award which applies to an electrician depends on the type of business:

Farm worker

A farm worker on a farm which deals with grain/fodder or livestock is likely to be covered by the Farm Employees Award. Note: this does not apply to dairy farm workers or employees working in market gardens. 

Fish and chip shop employee

An employee working in a fish and chip shop preparing food or serving customers is likely to be covered by the Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award. 

Fruit picker or packer

A fruit picker or packer employed on an orchard or in a processing plant or shed is likely to be covered by the Fruit Growing and Fruit Packing Industry Award.

Furniture removalist

A furniture removalist is likely to be covered by the Transport Workers (General) Award. 

Gasfitter

A gasfitter on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work done not on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply. 

Glazier

A glazier employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work done not on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply. 

Guest service worker

There are several WA awards covering the work of a guest service worker. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

Hairdresser

A hairdresser employed in a hair salon is likely to be covered by the Hairdressers Award.

Locksmith

A locksmith may be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award.

Landscape Gardener

A landscape gardener working in a private sector business is likely to be covered by the Landscape Gardening Industry Award. 

Machinist

A machinist in metal fabrication is likely to be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award.

Maitre'd

There are several WA awards covering the work of a maitre'd. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

Manicurist/nail technician

A manicurist or nail technician working in a nail salon is likely to be award free.  Visit the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

Mechanic (Automotive and Motorcycle)

A mechanic for an automotive repair shop is likely to be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award.

Painter

A painter employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work that is done not on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply.

Note: The Artworkers Award applies to painters doing mainly artistic work (links to WA Industrial Relations Commission website)

Panelbeater

A panel beater at a panel beater shop is likely to be covered by the Vehicle Builders Award.

Plant / garden nursery worker

A worker in a plant / garden nursery would likely be covered by the Horticulture (Nursery) Industry Award (links to WA Industrial Relations Commission website).

Plasterer

A plasterer employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work not on a construction site, the Building Trades Award may apply. 

Plumber

A plumber employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work that is not done on a construction site, the Building Trades Award may apply. 

Receptionist/clerical employee

There are several WA awards covering the work of a receptionist or clerical employee. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

    * Please contact Wageline to clarify if this award applies to your business. 

    Shop assistant / storeperson

    A shop assistant / storeperson may be covered by the Shop and Warehouse (Wholesale and Retail Establishments) Award.*  Note: Coverage under this award will depend on the type of goods being sold.  
    * Please contact Wageline to clarify if this award applies to your particular circumstances.  

    Tiler - floor, wall

    A tiler employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work that is not done on a construction site, the Building Trades Award may apply.

    Tiler - roof

    A roof tiler employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work that is not done on a construction site, the Building Trades Award may apply. 

    Security guard

    A security guard is likely to be covered by the Security Officers Award.

    Service station attendant

    A service station attendant is likely to be covered by the Motor Vehicle (Service Station, Sales Establishments, Rust Prevention and Paint Protection) Industry Award.

    Stoneworker/mason

    A stoneworker or mason employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award.
    For work that is not done on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply.
    For work involving monumental masonry the Monumental Masonry Industry Award is likely to apply (links to WA Industrial Relations Commission website).

    Tree Lopper

    A tree lopper is likely to be award free.  View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

    Trolley collector

    A trolley collector employed by a trolley collection contractor will be covered by the Contract Cleaners Award.

    Vineyard worker

    Grape harvesting or other vineyard work is likely to be covered by the Wine Industry Award.

    Wait staff

    There are several WA awards covering the work of wait staff. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

    Welder

    A welder may be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award, the Building Trades (Construction) Award or the Building Trades Award.  

      Window cleaner

      A window cleaner employed by a cleaning company is likely to be covered by the Contract Cleaners Award. Otherwise, the Cleaners and Caretakers Award is likely to apply.

      Record keeping

      All state system employers are legally required to keep employment records that detail time worked, leave taken and pay received by employees.

      Learn more on the Employment records - Employer obligations page

       

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