2025 WAIRC 00487
Case and Box Makers’ Award, 1952

6. - WAGES

(1) The minimum rates of wages payable to employees employed in classifications contained in subclause (2) of this clause shall be as follows:

Broadbanded Groups
Base Rate $
Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustment $
Total Minimum Weekly Rate (38 Hours) $
1


953.00
2


953.00
3
364.60
588.40
953.00
4
385.50
584.80
970.30
5
417.20
593.70
1010.90
6
438.10
599.80
1037.90





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.


(2)
CLASSIFICATION:
GROUP





1
Sawyer planking out and flitching to size
5

2
Stub edger and/or No. 1 Bench
5

3
Other breaking down bench sawyers
4

4
Band re-sawyer


(i)
Large - using blade over 7.62cm
4

(ii)
Small - using small blade not over 7.62cm
3

5.
Tailer-out on breaking down benches
3

6.
Tailer-out other benches
2

7.
Case bench sawyer and/or docker
2

8.
Wood and case machinist
2

9.
Case & Box makers for repairers (Manual)
3

10 (i)
Saw Doctor
5

(ii)
Saw Doctor Special Skills
6

11.
Saw Sharpener
4

12.
Hoop iron and/or wiring bench band
3

13.
Pallet maker
3

14.
Cable drum and/or reel maker assembler and/or finisher
3

15.
Woodmachining Section -






(a)
Two, three, or four sider planer, who is required to set up the machine and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
5





(b)
who is not required to set up the machine but is required to operate, and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
3





(c)
Buzzer - when required to do other than planning one face and squaring edge, and is required to set up the machine and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
5





(d)
who is required to set up the machine but is not required to do other than planing one face and edge, and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
3





(e)
who is not required to set up the machine and is only required to buzz one face and one edge, and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
3





(f)
Thicknesser who is required to set up the machine and do other than just planing timber all round, and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
5





(g)
Thicknesser who is required to set up the machine but is only required to plane timber all round and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
3





(h)
Thicknesser who is not required to set up the machine and only plane timber all round, and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
3





CLASSIFICATION:
GROUP





(i) (i)
Shaper
5





(ii)
who is not required to set up the machine and is only required to operate the machine with automatic feed
3





(j) (i)
Double End Tenoner who is required to set up the machine and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
5





(ii)
who is not required to set up the machine but is required to operate the machine and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
3





(k) (i)
Multiple boring machine who is required to set up the machine and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
3





(ii)
who is not required to set up the machine but is required to operate the machine and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
3





16(a)
Watchperson
2





(b)
Gatekeeper, who is required to do administrative duties
4





17.
Stacker for seasoning by means of stripping or other recognised method
2





18.
Mill or yard hand (as defined)
1





19.
Other unclassified adults
1





20.
Case and Box maker for repairer (manual) who is responsible for making up client's orders, also who is responsible for receiving client's goods, and then only from such time as he/she is required so to act
3





21(a)
Tallyperson who is responsible for making up of clients' orders for delivery
4





(b)
Tallyperson other than (a)
3





22.
Person who is responsible for setting up and operating the crate washing machine
3





23.
Tailer out to crate washing machine.
2





24.
Pendant crane operator whose duties also require to tally
3





25.
Pendant crane operator
3

(3) Junior Employees:

An employee who is less than 19 years of age and who is not an apprentice shall receive a percentage of the total minimum award rate prescribed for Group 1 in subclause (1) of this clause.

Under 17 years of age
45%
17 years of age
55%
18 years of age
70%


(4) Apprentices:

An apprentice will receive a percentage of the total minimum award rate prescribed for Group 5A in subclause (1) of this clause.

Four year term



First year
50%
Second year
60%
Third year
75%
Fourth year
90%



6A. - MINIMUM WAGE - ADULT MALES AND FEMALES

(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.