This information is only relevant to employers in the WA state industrial relations system – being sole traders, unincorporated partnerships, unincorporated trusts and some incorporated or not for profit organisations. The Guide to who is in the WA state system has more information of which types of businesses are covered by the state system.

If you operate by a Pty Ltd business, you can find information on your employment obligations on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

WA Awards

In the state system, many employees are covered by WA awards.

WA awards are legal documents that prescribe minimum pay rates, allowances, working hours and leave entitlements for employees in a particular industry or type of work. It is unlawful to provide pay rates or conditions that are less than a WA award’s provisions.

WA awards can be complex to understand, which is why Wageline has developed award summaries for the most popular and regularly used WA awards.

Award free employees

Employees in some industries and types of work are not covered by a WA award. These employees are referred to as ‘award free’. Minimum pay rates and conditions for award free employees are set by the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993.

Wageline has published a summary of minimum pay rates and entitlements for award free employees.

Next page - Stay informed about employment obligations