2025 WAIRC 00477
Bag, Sack and Textile Award

15. - SUPPORTED WAGE SYSTEM

(1) This clause defines the conditions which will apply to employees who, because of the effects of a disability, are eligible for a supported wage under the terms of this award. In the context of this clause the following definitions will apply:

(a) "Supported Wage System" means the Commonwealth Government system to promote employment for people who cannot work at full award wages because of a disability, as documented in "[Supported Wage System: Guidelines and Assessment Process]".

(b) "Accredited Assessor" means a person accredited by the management unit established by the Commonwealth under the Supported Wage System to perform assessments of an individual's productive capacity within the Supported Wage System.

(c) "Disability Support Pension" means the Commonwealth pension scheme to provide income security for persons with a disability as provided under the Social Security Act 1991, as amended from time to time, or any successor to that scheme.

(d) "Assessment instrument" means the form provided for under the Supported Wage System that records the assessment of the productive capacity of the person to be employed under the supported wage system.

(2) Eligibility criteria

(a) Employees covered by this clause will be those who are unable to perform the range of duties to the competence level required within the class of work for which the employee is engaged under this award, because of the effects of a disability on their productive capacity and who meet the impairment criteria for receipt of a Disability Support Pension.

(b) This clause does not apply to any existing employee who has a claim against the employer which is subject to the provisions of workers' compensation legislation or any provision of this award relating to the rehabilitation of employees who are injured in the course of their employment.

(c) (i) This award does not apply to employers in respect of their facility, programme, undertaking, service or the like which receives funding under the Disability Services Act 1986 and fulfils the dual role of service provider and sheltered employer to people with disabilities who are in receipt of, or are eligible for, a Disability Support Pension, and such employees.

(ii) Provided that this exclusion shall not prevent Services funded under Section 10 or 12A of the Act referred to in subparagraph (i) hereof, engaging persons who meet the eligibility criteria under the Supported Wage System, on work covered by this Award, where both parties wish to access the System and all other criteria are met.

(3) Supported wage rates

(a) Employees to whom this clause applies shall be paid the applicable percentage of the minimum rate of pay prescribed by this award for the class of work which the person is performing according to the following schedule:

Assessed capacity
% of prescribed award rate
(subclause 4)



10%
10%
20%
20%
30%
30%
40%
40%
50%
50%
60%
60%
70%
70%
80%
80%
90%
90%

(b) Provided that the minimum amount payable shall be not less than $109 per week.

(c) Where a person's assessed capacity is 10%, they shall receive a high degree of assistance and support.

(4) Assessment of capacity

For the purpose of establishing the percentage of the award rate to be paid to an employee under this award, the productive capacity of the employee will be assessed in accordance with the Supported Wage System and documented in an assessment instrument by either:

(a) The employer and union party to the award, in consultation with the employee or,

(b) The employer and an accredited assessor agreed to by the employer and the union party to the Award in consultation with the employee.

(5) Lodgment of assessment instrument

(a) All assessment instruments under the conditions of this clause, including the appropriate percentage of the award wage to be paid to the employee, shall be lodged by the employer with the Registrar of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

(b) All assessment instruments shall be agreed and signed by the parties to the assessment, provided that where the union which is party to the award, is not a party to the assessment, it shall be referred by the Registrar to the union by certified mail and shall take effect unless an objection is notified to the Registrar within ten working days.

(6) Review of assessment

The assessment of the applicable percentage should be subject to annual review or earlier on the basis of a reasonable request for such a review. The process of review shall be in accordance with the procedures for assessing capacity under the Supported Wage System.

(7) Other terms and conditions of employment

Where an assessment has been made, the applicable percentage shall apply to the wage rate only. Employees covered by the provisions of the clause will be entitled to the same terms and conditions of employment as all other employees covered by this award, but be paid at the rate of wage as determined in accordance with this clause.

(8) Workplace adjustment

An employer wishing to employ a person under the provisions of this clause shall take reasonable steps to make changes in the workplace to enhance the employee's capacity to do the job. Changes may involve re design of job duties, working time arrangements and work organisation in consultation with other employees in the area.

(9) Trial period

(a) In order for an adequate assessment of the employee's capacity to be made, an employer may employ a person under the provisions of this clause for a trial period not exceeding twelve weeks, except that in some cases additional work adjustment time (not exceeding four weeks) may be needed.

(b) During that trial period the assessment of capacity shall be undertaken and the proposed wage rate for a continuing employment relationship shall be determined.

(c) The minimum amount payable to the employee during the trial period shall be no less than $109.00 per week.

(d) Work trials should include induction or training as appropriate to the job being trialed.

(e) Where the employer and employee wish to establish a continuing employment relationship following the completion of the trial period, a further contract of employment shall be entered into based on the assessment under subclause (4) of this clause.

(10) The conditions of employment, as agreed, to apply during a trial period or in a continuing employment relationship shall be documented, a copy of which shall be provided by the employer to the person employed in accordance with this clause.

25. - WAGES

(1) The minimum weekly rate of wage payable to an employee covered by this award shall include the base rate plus the Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustment expressed hereunder:




Base Rate
Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustments
Minimum Rate



$
$
$
Tradespersons





Canvas and Vinyl Fabricator

397.60
626.80
1024.40
Other Classifications




(a)
Bag and sack repairing machinist

339.70
613.30
953.00
(b)
Labourers in bag and sack repairing sections

331.50
621.50
953.00
(c)
Bag-making machinist

336.50
616.50
953.00
(d)
Sailmaker (as defined)

369.80
618.70
988.50
(e)
Manufacturer and/or repair of sails and ship's gear (including nets, fenders and rigging) and other articles that require the hand sewing of incomplete ropes by use of palm and needle:
First six months of employment on such work -
346.80
612.40
959.20


Between six and twelve months of employment on such work
349.40
613.10
962.50


After twelve months of employment on such work
354.10
614.30
968.40
(f)
Manufacture and/or repair of canvas goods of all description covered by this award including plastic substitutes for canvas:
First six months of employment on such work
339.90
613.10
953.00


Between six and twelve months of employment on such work
342.60
611.20
953.80


After twelve months of employment on such work
347.50
612.50
960.00
(g)
Sewing machinist, cutter or repairer of canvas:
First six months of employment on such work -
339.90
613.10
953.00


Between six and twelve months of employment on such work
342.60
611.20
953.80


After twelve months of employment on such work
347.50
612.50
960.00
(h)
Sewing Machinist (bag)
First six months of employment on such work -
339.90
613.10
953.00


Thereafter
342.60
611.20
953.80
(i)
All Others

342.70
611.20
953.90







(2) Junior Employees: Junior employees shall receive the prescribed percentage of the "All Others" rate per week.


%


16 years of age and under
50
17 years of age
60
18 years of age
70
19 years of age
80
20 years of age
90

(3) Apprentices - (Percent of the "Tradespersons" rate per week)

(a)
Four-Year Term
%




First year
42

Second year.....................
55

Third year......................
75

Fourth year.....................
88



(b)
Three and a Half-Year Term
%




First six months
42

Next year
55

Next year
75

Final year
88



(c)
Three-Year Term
%




First year
55

Second year
75

Third year
88

(4)

(a) No employee aged 21 or more shall be paid less than the minimum adult award wage unless otherwise provided by this clause.

(b) 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.

(c) The minimum adult award wage is deemed to include all State Wage order adjustments from State Wage Case decisions.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) 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.

(g) 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.

(h) Subject to this clause the minimum adult award wage shall –

(i) Apply to all work in ordinary hours.

(ii) 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.

(i) 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.

(j) Adult Apprentices

(i) 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.

(ii) 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.

(iii) The minimum adult apprentice wage is payable from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2025.

(iv) 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.

(v) 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.

(vi) 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.


(5) Leading Hands: Any employee placed by the employer in charge of other employees shall be paid the following rates in addition to their ordinary rate of wage:


Per Week

$


In charge of 1 - 5 employees
26.10
In charge of 6 - 10 employees
40.10
In charge of 11 or more employees
51.60

(6) Tool Allowance:

(a) Where an employer does not provide a tradesperson or an apprentice with the tools ordinarily required by that tradesperson or apprentice in the performance of their work as a tradesperson or apprentice the employer shall pay tool allowance of:

(i) $12.30 per week to such tradesperson; or

(ii) in the case of an apprentice a percentage of $12.80 being the percentage which appears against his/her year of apprenticeship in subclause (4) of this clause.

for the purpose of such tradesperson or apprentice supplying and maintaining tools ordinarily required in the performance of his/her work as a tradesperson or apprentice.

(b) Any tool allowance paid pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subclause shall be included in, and form part of the ordinary weekly wage prescribed in this clause.

(c) An employer shall provide for the use of tradespersons or apprentices all necessary power tools, special purpose tools and precision measuring instruments.

(d) A tradesperson or apprentice shall replace or pay for any tools supplied by their employer if lost through their own negligence.

(7) The rates of pay in this award include arbitrated safety net adjustments available since December 1993, under the Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustment Principle.

These arbitrated safety net adjustments may be offset against any equivalent amount in the rate of pay received by employees since 1 November 1991 above the rate prescribed in the Award, except where such absorption is contrary to the terms of an industrial agreement.

Increases in rates of pay otherwise made under the State Wage Case Principles, excepting those resulting from enterprise agreements, are not to be used to offset arbitrated safety net adjustments.