The state minimum wage for award free employees and all pay rates in WA awards have increased effective from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2017.

In June the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission awarded a $16 per week increase in the state minimum wage for adult award free employees, lifting it to $708.90 per week from 1 July 2017.  WA Award rates of pay below $791.90 per week (equivalent to the C10 classification) were also increased by $16, while award rates of pay equal to or higher than $791.90 per week were increased by 2.3 per cent.  Junior rates and rates for apprentices and trainees were also increased proportionately.

The updated minimum pay rates for award-free employees and updated Wageline WA award summaries are now available on the Wageline website.  

If you are covered by a WA award that does not have a Wageline summary, check the new rates in the award on the WA Industrial Relations Commission website or contact Wageline on 1300 655 266.

This year, Wageline’s WA Award summaries have a new look, and have been expanded to include more information on employers record keeping obligations, long service leave when a business changes ownership and public holidays. Links to Wageline's resources to assist retail and hospitality employers comply with WA's laws on employment of children have also been included in relevant awards. 

A new publication, Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary, has been created to provide key information for employers and employees to whom a WA award does not apply.

This pay rate increase applies to only employers and employees in the state industrial relations system. It covers businesses which operate as:

• sole traders (eg Jane Smith trading as Jane’s Café)
• unincorporated partnerships (eg Jane and Bob Smith trading as Jane’s Café)
• unincorporated trust arrangements (eg Jane and Bob Smith as trustees for Jane’s Café)

If the business or organisation is in the national system visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website www.fairwork.gov.au for information on pay rate increases from 1 July 2017.