State Wage Case Variation Schedule for ANI001
Document Type: Direction
Matter Number: A 8/1968
Matter Description: Animal Welfare Industry Award
Industry:
Jurisdiction: Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission
Member/Magistrate name:
Delivery Date: 5 Aug 2025
Result:
Citation: 2025 WAIRC 00471
WAIG Reference: 105 WAIG 1303
2025 WAIRC 00471
Animal Welfare Industry Award
18. – RATES OF PAY
(1) The minimum weekly rate of wage per week payable to an employee covered by this award shall include the base rate plus the arbitrated safety net adjustments reflected hereunder:
Classification
$ per week
Introductory (not exceeding 3 months)
953.00
Level 1 (87.4%)
981.70
Level 2 (92.4%)
997.20
Level 3 (Cert III) (100%)
1055.10
Level 4 (Cert IV) (110%)
1132.40
Level 5 (Diploma.) (119.4%)
1205.10
(2) Classification Structure
For the purposes of determining the appropriate classification level for each employee, the classification definitions in sub clause 6. hereof shall be applied to each employee falling within scope of this Award.
(3) Implementation of Classification Structure
Employees shall be classified at one of the levels specified in this Clause. The classification definitions in this clause describe the relative skills, qualifications, responsibilities and conditions under which employees at each level will work.
(4) Promotion to Higher Levels
All employees shall be given the opportunity to participate in ongoing skills training to enable promotion to the next level. Where possible, this training shall be in accordance with the Animal Care and Management Training Package.
(5) Transitional Arrangements
No employee shall suffer a reduction in their rate of pay or conditions of employment as a result of the introduction of these provisions.
(6) Classification Definitions
(a) Introductory level
An employee who has had no experience in this industry shall initially be engaged at the introductory level for a period not exceeding 3 months. During this period the employer will provide on the job training to assist the employee to gain the appropriate skills.
(b) Level 1
Employees at this level will perform routine tasks involving adherence to determined procedures and with only minimal scope for deviation from these procedures.
An employee at this Level will:
(i) work under direct supervision with regular close checking of their work;
(ii) develop and then apply their knowledge and skills to a limited range of tasks and roles;
(iii) work within a specified range of contexts where the choice of action is clear and restricted;
(iv) normally develop and then use their competencies within established routines, where methods and procedures are predictable.
Typical activities at this level may include:
(i) assists other employees in their duties;
(ii) appropriate induction to the industry and the routines of the practice;
(iii) basic animal care;
(iv) grooming, feeding, cleaning and restraint as instructed.
(c) Level 2
Work at this level will involve the use of limited discretion and initiative. Knowledge relating to the care of animals will be involved.
An employee at this level will, in addition to level 1 duties:
(i) work under direct supervision with routine checking of their work;
(ii) develop and then apply their knowledge and skills to a limited range of tasks and roles;
(iii) work within a specified range of contexts where the choice of action is clear and restricted;
(iv) normally use their competencies within established routines, where methods and procedures are predictable;
(v) exercise discretion and judgment against established criteria.
Typical activities at this level may include:
(i) basic animal care, animal handling;
(ii) consult duty veterinarian;
(iii) tasks relating to the clinic and surgery including maintaining patient records and compiling patient and client histories;
(iv) ability to undertake basic animal health procedures.
(d) Level 3
General
A Level 3 employee will possess the competencies of Certificate III in Companion in Animal Services or other equivalent qualification or possess knowledge and experience which enables them to operate at trade equivalent level.
An employee at this Level will, in addition to lower level duties:
(i) generally be working with limited supervision ;
(ii) normally use their competencies within established routines, where methods and procedures are predictable;
(iii) exercise discretion and judgment against established criteria.
Typical activities at this level may include:
(i) assist with animal care under limited supervision;
(ii) limited Staff Supervision of introductory and Level 1;
(iii) undertake daily clinic routines and routine monitoring of patient care;
(iv) ability to follow clinic procedures for hazard identification and risk control;
(v) ability to provide grief support to clients/animal owners;
(vi) work in the companion animal industry;
(vii) provide basic first aid for animals.
(e) Level 4
A Level 4 employee will possess the competencies, of AQF Level 4 or other equivalent qualification such as the ACVN. The attainment of these competencies by an individual employee will be determined through a formal assessment process carried out through a Registered Training Organisation.
An employee at this Level will, in addition to lower level duties:
(i) use their competencies within established routines, where methods and procedures are predictable;
(ii) exercise discretion and judgment against established criteria;
(iii) provide veterinary nursing care;
(iv) be registered under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1960.
Not withstanding the above an employee at this level may also be employed to undertake the duties of an Inspector.
Typical activities and competencies at this level for a veterinary nurse may include:
(i) ability to undertake limited Staff Supervision ;
(ii) ability to undertake daily clinic routines and patient care;
(iii) ability to identifying deviation from normal animal behaviour which may suggest illness, and taking appropriate action;
(iv) ability to undertake the maintenance of records relating to the physical aspects of the animals;
(v) can perform clinic pathology procedures;
(vi) can conduct medical and surgical support;
(vii) can identify vital signs of patients and relate these findings to the supervising veterinary surgeon.
(f) Level 5
A Level 5 employee will possess a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing or recognized equivalent qualification. The attainment of the competencies by an individual employee necessary for the granting of such qualifications, will be determined through a formal assessment process carried out through a Registered Training Organisation.
An employee at this Level will, in addition to lower level duties:
(i) exercise skills, discretion and responsibilities beyond that required at Level 4;
(ii) be registered under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1960.
(7) Junior employees shall receive the prescribed percentage of the minimum rate for the appropriate classification prescribed in this clause per week:
Under 17 years of age
50%
17 to 18 years of age
60%
18 to 19 years of age
70%
19 to 20 years of age
80%
20 to 21 years of age
90%
(8) An employee placed in charge of three or more other employees shall be paid an amount of $22.80 per week in addition to their ordinary rate of pay.
(9) Where an employee is required to carry out the ordinary hours of duty per day in more than one shift an allowance of $2.07 per day shall be paid.
19. - MINIMUM ADULT AWARD WAGE
(1) No employee aged 21 or more shall be paid less than the minimum adult award wage unless otherwise provided by this clause.
(2) The minimum adult award wage for full-time employees aged 21 or more working under an award that provides for a 38-hour week is $953.00 per week.
The minimum adult award wage for full-time employees aged 21 or more working under awards that provide for other than a 38-hour week is calculated as follows: divide $953.00 by 38 and multiply by the number of ordinary hours prescribed for a full-time employee under the award.
The minimum adult award wage is payable from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2025.
(3) The minimum adult award wage is deemed to include all State Wage order adjustments from State Wage Case decisions.
(4) Unless otherwise provided in this clause adults aged 21 or more employed as casuals, part-time employees or piece workers or employees who are remunerated wholly on the basis of payment by results, shall not be paid less than pro rata the minimum adult award wage according to the hours worked.
(5) Employees under the age of 21 shall be paid no less than the wage determined by applying the percentage prescribed in the junior rates provision in this award (if applicable) to the minimum adult award wage, provided that no employee shall be paid less than any applicable minimum rate of pay prescribed by the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993.
(6) The minimum adult award wage shall not apply to apprentices, employees engaged on traineeships or government approved work placement programs or employed under the Commonwealth Government Supported Wage System or to other categories of employees who by prescription are paid less than the minimum award rate, provided that no employee shall be paid less than any applicable minimum rate of pay prescribed by the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993.
(7) Liberty to apply is reserved in relation to any special category of employees not included here or otherwise in relation to the application of the minimum adult award wage.
(8) Subject to this clause the minimum adult award wage shall –
(a) Apply to all work in ordinary hours.
(b) Apply to the calculation of overtime and all other penalty rates, superannuation, payments during any period of paid leave and for all purposes of this award.
(9) Minimum Adult Award Wage
The rates of pay in this award include the minimum weekly wage for employees aged 21 or more payable under the 2025 State Wage order. Any increase arising from the insertion of the minimum wage will be offset against any equivalent amount in rates of pay received by employees whose wages and conditions of employment are regulated by this award which are above the wage rates prescribed in the award. Such above award payments include wages payable pursuant to enterprise agreements, consent awards or award variations to give effect to enterprise agreements and over award arrangements. Absorption which is contrary to the terms of an agreement is not required.
Increases under previous State Wage Case Principles or under the current Statement of Principles, excepting those resulting from enterprise agreements, are not to be used to offset the minimum wage.
(10) Adult Apprentices
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this clause, the minimum adult apprentice wage for a full-time apprentice aged 21 years or more working under an award that provides for a 38-hour week is $791.30 per week.
(b) The minimum adult apprentice wage for a full-time apprentice aged 21 years or more working under an award that provides for other than a 38-hour week is calculated as follows: divide $791.30 by 38 and multiply by the number of ordinary hours prescribed for a full-time apprentice under the award.
(c) The minimum adult apprentice wage is payable from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2025.
(d) Adult apprentices aged 21 years or more employed on a part-time basis shall not be paid less than pro rata the minimum adult apprentice wage according to the hours worked.
(e) The rates paid in the paragraphs above to an apprentice 21 years of age or more are payable on superannuation and during any period of paid leave prescribed by this award.
(f) Where in this award an additional rate is expressed as a percentage, fraction or multiple of the ordinary rate of pay, it shall be calculated upon the rate prescribed in this award for the actual year of apprenticeship.
Animal Welfare Industry Award
18. – RATES OF PAY
(1) The minimum weekly rate of wage per week payable to an employee covered by this award shall include the base rate plus the arbitrated safety net adjustments reflected hereunder:
Classification
$ per week
Introductory (not exceeding 3 months)
953.00
Level 1 (87.4%)
981.70
Level 2 (92.4%)
997.20
Level 3 (Cert III) (100%)
1055.10
Level 4 (Cert IV) (110%)
1132.40
Level 5 (Diploma.) (119.4%)
1205.10
(2) Classification Structure
For the purposes of determining the appropriate classification level for each employee, the classification definitions in sub clause 6. hereof shall be applied to each employee falling within scope of this Award.
(3) Implementation of Classification Structure
Employees shall be classified at one of the levels specified in this Clause. The classification definitions in this clause describe the relative skills, qualifications, responsibilities and conditions under which employees at each level will work.
(4) Promotion to Higher Levels
All employees shall be given the opportunity to participate in ongoing skills training to enable promotion to the next level. Where possible, this training shall be in accordance with the Animal Care and Management Training Package.
(5) Transitional Arrangements
No employee shall suffer a reduction in their rate of pay or conditions of employment as a result of the introduction of these provisions.
(6) Classification Definitions
(a) Introductory level
An employee who has had no experience in this industry shall initially be engaged at the introductory level for a period not exceeding 3 months. During this period the employer will provide on the job training to assist the employee to gain the appropriate skills.
(b) Level 1
Employees at this level will perform routine tasks involving adherence to determined procedures and with only minimal scope for deviation from these procedures.
An employee at this Level will:
(i) work under direct supervision with regular close checking of their work;
(ii) develop and then apply their knowledge and skills to a limited range of tasks and roles;
(iii) work within a specified range of contexts where the choice of action is clear and restricted;
(iv) normally develop and then use their competencies within established routines, where methods and procedures are predictable.
Typical activities at this level may include:
(i) assists other employees in their duties;
(ii) appropriate induction to the industry and the routines of the practice;
(iii) basic animal care;
(iv) grooming, feeding, cleaning and restraint as instructed.
(c) Level 2
Work at this level will involve the use of limited discretion and initiative. Knowledge relating to the care of animals will be involved.
An employee at this level will, in addition to level 1 duties:
(i) work under direct supervision with routine checking of their work;
(ii) develop and then apply their knowledge and skills to a limited range of tasks and roles;
(iii) work within a specified range of contexts where the choice of action is clear and restricted;
(iv) normally use their competencies within established routines, where methods and procedures are predictable;
(v) exercise discretion and judgment against established criteria.
Typical activities at this level may include:
(i) basic animal care, animal handling;
(ii) consult duty veterinarian;
(iii) tasks relating to the clinic and surgery including maintaining patient records and compiling patient and client histories;
(iv) ability to undertake basic animal health procedures.
(d) Level 3
General
A Level 3 employee will possess the competencies of Certificate III in Companion in Animal Services or other equivalent qualification or possess knowledge and experience which enables them to operate at trade equivalent level.
An employee at this Level will, in addition to lower level duties:
(i) generally be working with limited supervision ;
(ii) normally use their competencies within established routines, where methods and procedures are predictable;
(iii) exercise discretion and judgment against established criteria.
Typical activities at this level may include:
(i) assist with animal care under limited supervision;
(ii) limited Staff Supervision of introductory and Level 1;
(iii) undertake daily clinic routines and routine monitoring of patient care;
(iv) ability to follow clinic procedures for hazard identification and risk control;
(v) ability to provide grief support to clients/animal owners;
(vi) work in the companion animal industry;
(vii) provide basic first aid for animals.
(e) Level 4
A Level 4 employee will possess the competencies, of AQF Level 4 or other equivalent qualification such as the ACVN. The attainment of these competencies by an individual employee will be determined through a formal assessment process carried out through a Registered Training Organisation.
An employee at this Level will, in addition to lower level duties:
(i) use their competencies within established routines, where methods and procedures are predictable;
(ii) exercise discretion and judgment against established criteria;
(iii) provide veterinary nursing care;
(iv) be registered under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1960.
Not withstanding the above an employee at this level may also be employed to undertake the duties of an Inspector.
Typical activities and competencies at this level for a veterinary nurse may include:
(i) ability to undertake limited Staff Supervision ;
(ii) ability to undertake daily clinic routines and patient care;
(iii) ability to identifying deviation from normal animal behaviour which may suggest illness, and taking appropriate action;
(iv) ability to undertake the maintenance of records relating to the physical aspects of the animals;
(v) can perform clinic pathology procedures;
(vi) can conduct medical and surgical support;
(vii) can identify vital signs of patients and relate these findings to the supervising veterinary surgeon.
(f) Level 5
A Level 5 employee will possess a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing or recognized equivalent qualification. The attainment of the competencies by an individual employee necessary for the granting of such qualifications, will be determined through a formal assessment process carried out through a Registered Training Organisation.
An employee at this Level will, in addition to lower level duties:
(i) exercise skills, discretion and responsibilities beyond that required at Level 4;
(ii) be registered under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1960.
(7) Junior employees shall receive the prescribed percentage of the minimum rate for the appropriate classification prescribed in this clause per week:
Under 17 years of age
50%
17 to 18 years of age
60%
18 to 19 years of age
70%
19 to 20 years of age
80%
20 to 21 years of age
90%
(8) An employee placed in charge of three or more other employees shall be paid an amount of $22.80 per week in addition to their ordinary rate of pay.
(9) Where an employee is required to carry out the ordinary hours of duty per day in more than one shift an allowance of $2.07 per day shall be paid.
19. - MINIMUM ADULT AWARD WAGE
(1) No employee aged 21 or more shall be paid less than the minimum adult award wage unless otherwise provided by this clause.
(2) The minimum adult award wage for full-time employees aged 21 or more working under an award that provides for a 38-hour week is $953.00 per week.
The minimum adult award wage for full-time employees aged 21 or more working under awards that provide for other than a 38-hour week is calculated as follows: divide $953.00 by 38 and multiply by the number of ordinary hours prescribed for a full-time employee under the award.
The minimum adult award wage is payable from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2025.
(3) The minimum adult award wage is deemed to include all State Wage order adjustments from State Wage Case decisions.
(4) Unless otherwise provided in this clause adults aged 21 or more employed as casuals, part-time employees or piece workers or employees who are remunerated wholly on the basis of payment by results, shall not be paid less than pro rata the minimum adult award wage according to the hours worked.
(5) Employees under the age of 21 shall be paid no less than the wage determined by applying the percentage prescribed in the junior rates provision in this award (if applicable) to the minimum adult award wage, provided that no employee shall be paid less than any applicable minimum rate of pay prescribed by the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993.
(6) The minimum adult award wage shall not apply to apprentices, employees engaged on traineeships or government approved work placement programs or employed under the Commonwealth Government Supported Wage System or to other categories of employees who by prescription are paid less than the minimum award rate, provided that no employee shall be paid less than any applicable minimum rate of pay prescribed by the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993.
(7) Liberty to apply is reserved in relation to any special category of employees not included here or otherwise in relation to the application of the minimum adult award wage.
(8) Subject to this clause the minimum adult award wage shall –
(a) Apply to all work in ordinary hours.
(b) Apply to the calculation of overtime and all other penalty rates, superannuation, payments during any period of paid leave and for all purposes of this award.
(9) Minimum Adult Award Wage
The rates of pay in this award include the minimum weekly wage for employees aged 21 or more payable under the 2025 State Wage order. Any increase arising from the insertion of the minimum wage will be offset against any equivalent amount in rates of pay received by employees whose wages and conditions of employment are regulated by this award which are above the wage rates prescribed in the award. Such above award payments include wages payable pursuant to enterprise agreements, consent awards or award variations to give effect to enterprise agreements and over award arrangements. Absorption which is contrary to the terms of an agreement is not required.
Increases under previous State Wage Case Principles or under the current Statement of Principles, excepting those resulting from enterprise agreements, are not to be used to offset the minimum wage.
(10) Adult Apprentices
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this clause, the minimum adult apprentice wage for a full-time apprentice aged 21 years or more working under an award that provides for a 38-hour week is $791.30 per week.
(b) The minimum adult apprentice wage for a full-time apprentice aged 21 years or more working under an award that provides for other than a 38-hour week is calculated as follows: divide $791.30 by 38 and multiply by the number of ordinary hours prescribed for a full-time apprentice under the award.
(c) The minimum adult apprentice wage is payable from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2025.
(d) Adult apprentices aged 21 years or more employed on a part-time basis shall not be paid less than pro rata the minimum adult apprentice wage according to the hours worked.
(e) The rates paid in the paragraphs above to an apprentice 21 years of age or more are payable on superannuation and during any period of paid leave prescribed by this award.
(f) Where in this award an additional rate is expressed as a percentage, fraction or multiple of the ordinary rate of pay, it shall be calculated upon the rate prescribed in this award for the actual year of apprenticeship.