2025 WAIRC 00484
Building Trades (Government) Award 1968

4.1 – MINIMUM ADULT AWARD WAGE


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

4.1.2 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.

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

4.1.4 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.

4.1.5 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.

4.1.6 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.

4.1.7 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.

4.1.8 Subject to this clause the minimum adult award wage shall –

4.1.8.1 Apply to all work in ordinary hours.

4.1.8.2 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.

4.1.9 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.

4.1.10 Adult Apprentices

4.1.10.1 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.

4.1.10.2 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.

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

4.1.10.4 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.

4.1.10.5 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.

4.1.10.6 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.



4.2 – WAGES

4.2.1 The minimum weekly rate of wage payable to employees covered by this award shall be as per the provisions comprising:

(a) Part A – Wages Adjusted by Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustments; or
(b) Part B – Expired Industrial Agreement Wages;

whichever is the greater.

4.2.2 The wage rates to apply for the purpose of the no-disadvantage test under the Industrial Relations Act 1979 shall be as per the provisions comprising:

(a) Part A – Wages Adjusted by Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustments; or
(b) Part B – Expired Industrial Agreement Wages;

whichever is the greater.

4.2.3 Part A: Wages Adjusted by Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustments

(a) It is a term of this award that the union undertakes for the duration of the Principles determined by the Commission Court Session in Application No. 985 of 1995 not to pursue any extra claims, award or over award except when consistent with the State Wage Principles.

PART A: WAGES ADJUSTED BY ARBITRATED SAFETY NET ADJUSTMENTS


On Engage-ment
Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustment
Total Rate
After l year of service (Per Week)
Arbitrated Safety Net Adjust-ment
Total Rate
After 2 years of service
Arbitrated Safety Net Adjust-ment
Total Rate

$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$










(1) (a) Tradespersons: Bricklayers Stoneworkers, Carpenters, Joiners, Painters, Signwriters, Glaziers, Plasterers and Stone-masons as defined in Clause 6 of this Award
429.60
642.60
1072.20
434.50
644.40
1078.90
439.00
646.10
1085.10










(b) Special Class Tradesperson (as defined)
447.80
649.70
1097.50
452.95
651.45
1104.40
457.65
653.35
1111.00










(c) Plumbers holding registration in accordance with the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Act
444.85
648.45
1093.30
449.80
650.20
1100.00
454.30
652.00
1106.30










(d) Builders Labourers:



















(i) Rigger, Drainer, Dogman
407.25
632.05
1039.30
414.10
631.70
1045.80
418.80
632.80
1051.60










(ii) Scaffolder, Powder Monkey, Hoist or Winch Driver, Concrete Finisher, Steelfixer, including Tack Welder, Concrete Pump Operator
395.25
628.65
1023.90
398.40
627.00
1025.40
403.05
628.25
1031.30










(iii) Bricklayer's Labourer, Plasterer's Labourer, Assistant Rigger, Demolition Workers (after 3 months' experience), Gear Hand, Pile Driver, Tackle Hand, Jackhammer Hand, Mixer Driver (concrete), Steel Erector, Aluminium Alloy Structural Erector, Gantry Hand or Crane Hand, Crane Chaser, Concrete Gang including Concrete Floater, Steel or Bar Bender to Pattern or Plan, Concrete Formwork Stripper, Concrete Pump, Hose hand
386.85
623.65
1010.50
391.15
624.95
1016.10
396.25
626.45
1022.70










(iv) Builder's Labourer employed on work other than specified in classifications (i)-(iii)
356.80
615.10
971.90
357.80
615.40
973.20
362.05
616.85
978.90

4.2.4 The Wages in this award include arbitrated safety net adjustments available since December 1993, under the Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustment Principle.

4.2.5 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.

4.2.6 Increases in Wages 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.


Tool Allowance
(Per Week)

(a) Bricklayers and Stoneworkers
15.60

(b) Plasterers
18.20

(c) Carpenters and Joiners
22.10

(d) Plumbers
22.10

(e) Painters and Sign-writers
5.40

(f) Glaziers
5.40

(g) Stonemasons: The employer shall supply all necessary tools for the use of stonemasons, except when engaged on building construction, when the worker, if required to supply his/her own tools, shall receive a tool allowance at the rate of $1.70 per week.


NOTE 1: The tool allowance prescribed in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Clause each include an amount of six cents for the purpose of enabling the employees to insure their tools against loss or damage by theft or fire.

NOTE 2: The abovenamed allowances shall not be paid where the employer supplies an employee with all necessary tools.

4.2.7 Allowance for Lost Time: Thirteen days' sick leave and follow the job (per week):

An employee whose employment is terminated through no fault of his/her own and who has not completed nine months' continuous service with his/her employer shall, for each week of continuous employment with that employer, immediately prior to his/her termination of employment be paid the lost time allowance prescribed hereunder less any payments made to him/her in respect of sick leave during that employment -



$
(a)
Bricklayers, stoneworkers, carpenters, joiners, painters, glaziers, signwriters, plasterers, plumbers and stonemasons
47.84



(b)
Special Class Tradesperson (as defined)
50.24



(c)
Registered Plumbers
49.69



(d)
Builders Labourers


(i) Classifications (i) to (iii) inclusive
46.90

(ii) Classifications (iv) to (ix)
44.09

(iii) Classification (x)
42.62

(iv) Classification (xi)
39.72

NOTE: In the event of any increase or decrease in the wages and other allowances prescribed in this clause, except the tool allowances, the amounts prescribed in this Clause shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal to 9.7% of that increase or decrease.

4.2.8 Disabilities Allowance (Per Week): $20.91

(a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), of this Clause an allowance of $20.91 shall be paid to all employees excepting employees who are employed for the major portion of any week in or about a permanent maintenance depot or who are usually employed in or about the employer's business when an employee coming within the exception is engaged on the erection or demolition of a building exceeding 250 square feet in floor area.

(b) Employees who are directed to work temporarily in or about a permanent maintenance depot and who immediately prior to being so directed were in receipt of the allowance for a period of not less than three months shall be paid two-thirds of the allowance prescribed herein.

4.2.9 Casual Employees

A casual employee shall be paid a loading of 20 per cent in addition to the rates prescribed by this clause.

4.2.10 The rates prescribed in this clause shall be increased or decreased, as the case may be, to give effect to any decision of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission to alter wage rates uniformly in awards under its jurisdiction

4.2.11 Plumbers shall be paid an allowance at the rate of $16.14 per week to compensate for the following classes of work and in lieu of the relevant amounts in Clause 4.1. - Special Rates and Provisions of this award whether or not such work is performed in any one week. When working outside the categories listed hereunder, a plumber shall receive the appropriate rates provided for in the said Clause 4.5. - Special Rates and Provisions.

(a) General Plumber:

(i) clearing stoppages in soil or waste pipes, or sewer drain pipes, also repairing and putting same in proper order;
(ii) work in wet places;
(iii) work requiring a swing scaffold, swing seat or rope;
(iv) dirty or offensive work;
(v) work in any confined space;
(vi) work on a ladder exceeding eight metres in height;
(vii) work in and around abattoirs.

(b) Mechanical Services Plumber:

(i) handling charcoal, pumice, granulated cork, silicate of cotton, insulwool, slag wool, or other recognised insulation material of a like nature or working in the immediate vicinity so as to be affected by the use thereof;
(ii) work in a place where the temperature has been raised by artificial means to between 46° and 54° Celsius or exceeding 54° Celsius;
(iii) work in a place where fumes of sulphur or other acid or other offensive fumes are present;
(iv) dirty or offensive work;
(v) work in any confined space;
(vi) work on a ladder exceeding eight metres in height;
(vii) work in and around abattoirs.

(c) Roof Plumber:

(i) work in the fixing of aluminium foil insulation on roofs or walls prior to the sheeting thereof;
(ii) use of explosive powered tools;
(iii) work requiring use of materials containing asbestos or to work in close proximity to employees using such materials shall be provided with, and shall use, all necessary safeguards as required by the appropriate occupational health authority including the mandatory wearing of protective equipment (i.e. combination overalls and breathing equipment or similar apparatus);
(iv) dirty or offensive work;
(v) work requiring a swing scaffold, swing seat or rope;
(vi) work on a ladder exceeding eight metres in height;
(vii) work in and around abattoirs.


4.8 - SUPPORTED WAGE SYSTEM

4.8.1 Workers eligible for a supported wage

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

(b) “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”.

(c) “Accredited assessor” means a person accredited by the management unit established by the Commonwealth Government under the Supported Wage System to perform assessment of an individual's productive capacity within the Supported Wage System.

(d) “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.

(e) “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.

4.8.2 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 the 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 the award relating to the rehabilitation of employees who are injured in the course of their current employment.

(c) This Clause also 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 eligible for a Disability Support Pension, except with respect to an organisation which has received recognition under s10 or s12A of the Act, or if a part only has received recognition, that part.

4.8.3 Supported wage rates

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


Assessed capacity (per paragraph 4..3.4)
% of applicable award rate
10%*
10%
20%
20%
30%
30%
40%
40%
50%
50%
60%
60%
70%
70%
80%
80%
90%
90%


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

*Where an employee’s assessed capacity is 10%, they shall receive a high degree of assistance and support.

4.8.4 Assessment of capacity

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

(b) the employer and the union, in consultation with the employee, or if desired by any of these; or

(c) the employer and an accredited assessor from a panel agreed by the parties to the award and the employee.

4.8.5 Lodgement of assessment instruments

(a) All assessment instruments under the conditions of this Clause, including the appropriate percentage of the award wage rate to be paid to the employee, shall be lodged by the employer with the Registrar of the WAIRC.

(b) All assessment instruments shall be agreed and signed by the parties to the assessment, provided that where the union 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 10 working days.

4.8.6 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.

4.8.7 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 this Clause will be entitled to the same terms and conditions of employment as all other employees covered by the award paid on a pro rata basis.

4.8.8 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 employees' 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.

4.8.9 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 12 weeks, except that in some cases additional work adjustment time (not exceeding 4 weeks) may be needed.

(b) During the 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 not less than $109 per week.

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

(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 outcome of assessment under Clause 4.3.4.

4.8.10 Meal Money

(a) Where an employee is required to continue working after the usual finishing time for more than one hour, he/she shall be paid $11.70 for the purchase of any meal required. This amount shall be varied in accordance with any variations of Schedule 1, Part II – Meals, of the Government Officers Salaries, Allowances & conditions Award 1989.

(b) Meal money shall be paid prior to the meal period on the day upon which the overtime is to be worked.


SCHEDULE C - AWARD RESTRUCTURING


8. Rates of Pay

Employees shall be paid the following rates of pay in accordance with the level to which they are classified.

(a) Wage Rates

Level
Percentage Relativity to Level 4
Rates
$
Safety Net Adjustment
$
Total Weekly Rate
$
New Entrant
78
335.10
609.00
944.10
1
82
352.30
613.90
966.20
2
87
375.50
620.40
995.90
3
92
397.00
626.50
1023.50
4
100
429.60
642.60
1072.20
5
105
451.10
650.90
1102.00
6
110
472.60
656.10
1128.70
7
115
494.00
664.10
1158.10
8
120
515.50
672.30
1187.80
9
125
537.00
682.90
1219.90


(b) (i) In addition to the rates contained in paragraph (a) of this subclause, employees designated in classification levels to 7 inclusive shall receive an all purpose industry allowance of $13.01.

(ii) This allowance shall be paid in two instalments as follows:

(aa) $6.57 of the allowance shall be paid after the first twelve months of government service; and
(bb) the remaining $6.43 shall be paid on 24 months of government service.

(c) 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 adjustment.