Many WA awards require employees to be paid a location allowance when employed in certain regional towns. The allowance amount varies by town and is paid to compensate employees for the additional cost of living, climatic discomfort, and isolation in these towns.

Junior, casual and part time employees as well as apprentices and trainees must be paid a proportionate location allowance. Employees with a dependant may be entitled to receive double the allowance specified.

The location allowance is adjusted in July each year.

The location allowance payable for each town, as of the first pay period on or after 1 July, is included in Wageline’s award summaries and is available on the Location Allowance for employees in regional areas page.