The state Metal Trades (General) Award has been updated by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) and Wageline has published a new WA award summary for the Metal Trades (General) Award at www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/awardsummaries

The award variation is effective from the first pay period on or after 9 February 2022.

The award variation has not changed adult or junior pay rates in the Metal Trades (General) Award. A minor change to rates of pay for school leaver trainees has been made.

The amendments include:

• updated definitions, references to legislation and qualifications;
• clarification of ambiguous references;
• introduction of gender neutral terminology;
• modernised clauses dealing with record keeping, payment of wages, supported wages employees and leave entitlements; and
• other miscellaneous changes to ensure the WA award does not contain conditions less favourable than those provided by the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993. 

The variation to the Metal Trades (General) Award was made as part of a process to update key private sector WA awards that was started in 2020 by the WAIRC. The Metal Trades (General) Award is the first award to be updated.

The Metal Trades (General) Award sets pay rates and working arrangements for employees in a wide range of industries, including:

• tradespersons such as auto electrical fitters, mechanics, boilermakers, welders, machinists and locksmiths
• trades assistants