2025 WAIRC 00491
Child Care (Subsidised Centres) Award

1B. - 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.




11. - WAGES

The total minimum weekly rate of wage payable to persons employed pursuant to this award shall be:




$ (Per Week)
A.S.N.A. $
TOTAL WAGE
(1)
(a)
Child Care Support Employee - Grade One - Cleaner
412.60
569.30
981.90


Child Care Support Employee - Grade One - Kitchen Hand
419.30
571.20
990.50








Child Care Support Employee - Grade Two





Step I
423.50
572.40
995.90


Step II
431.80
574.90
1006.70








Child Care Giver





Step I
412.60
569.30
981.90


Step II
422.00
571.90
993.90


Step III
431.50
574.70
1006.20


Step IV
441.00
577.60
1018.60








E Worker





Step I


1039.30


Step II


1049.60








Qualified Child Care Giver





Step 1A
488.00
598.70
1086.70


Step 1B
506.00
605.40
1111.40


Step II
520.40
607.90
1128.30


Step III
534.60
613.60
1148.20


Step IV
549.10
618.90
1168.00







(b)
Assistant Director - Grade One





Step I
556.90
621.80
1178.70


Step II
562.40
623.80
1186.20


Step III
570.00
629.60
1199.60








Assistant Director - Grade Two





Step I
562.40
623.80
1186.20


Step II
570.00
629.60
1199.60


Step III
577.50
632.10
1209.60








Assistant Director - Grade Three





Step I
570.00
629.60
1199.60


Step II
577.50
632.10
1209.60


Step III
591.50
637.50
1229.00







(c)
Childrens Programme - Co-ordinator (Family Centre)





Step I
506.00
605.40
1111.40


Step II
519.60
607.70
1127.30


Step III
549.10
618.90
1168.00


Step IV
572.60
630.60
1203.20


Step V
598.10
639.80
1237.90


Step VI
621.70
648.90
1270.60


Step VII
651.20
660.10
1311.30


Step VIII
683.60
669.50
1353.10







(d)
Qualified Occasional Care/Limited Time (State Government)





Step 1A
15.62
19.15
34.77


Step 1B
16.19
19.37
35.56


Step II
16.65
19.46
36.11


Step III
17.11
19.63
36.74


Step IV
17.57
19.81
37.38

(2) (a) Except as provided hereunder, in paragraphs (b) and (d) of this subclause progression from step to step for Child Care Support Employees Grade One and Two, Child Care Giver, Qualified Child Care Giver, Qualified Occasional Care/Limited Time (State Govt), Childrens Programme Co-Ordinator (Family Centre), Assistant Director Grade One, Assistant Director Grade Two, Assistant Director Grade Three and Pre-School Teacher will be contingent upon:

(i) 12 months' service at each step; and

(ii) satisfactory performance at each step.

(b) An employee employed as a Child Care Giver on completion of an introductory child care course shall immediately progress by one additional step beyond that previously determined in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subclause. Additional steps shall be determined in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subclause.

(c) An employee under the age of 21 years who is employed as a Child Care Giver shall be paid a percentage of the rate applicable to an adult employee, taking into account the provisions for progression specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subclause. The percentages of the adult rate shall be:


% of adult rate


At or under 16 years of age
50
At 17 years of age
60
At 18 years of age
75
At 19 years of age
85
At 20 years of age
95
Thereafter the adult rate


(ca) An employee who is identified as an E Worker shall be a person who is required to exercise supervision of an infant or toddler area in accordance with the Community Services (Child Care) Regulations ("the Regulations") 1988. At the completion of twelve months satisfactory service that person shall be paid the Step II rate.

(d) An employee at Step IA Qualified Child Care Giver and Step IA Qualified Occasional Care/Limited Time (State Govt.) shall be a person with no previous experience in the industry. At the completion of twelve months satisfactory performance that person shall be paid the Step II rate.

(e) An employee at Step IB Qualified Child Care Giver and Step IB Qualified Occasional Care/Limited Time (State Govt.) shall be a person with previous experience in the industry. At the completion of twelve months satisfactory performance that person shall be paid the Step II rate.

(f) A person who is appointed Assistant Director Grade One, Assistant Director Grade Two or Assistant Director Grade Three will be appointed in accordance with the relevant grades outlined in Clause 27. - Classification Definitions and Skill Descriptors subclause (4) of this award, provided that an employer may appoint an Assistant Director to a higher grade.

(g) Where an employee is appointed to act as the Director of a Centre for more than four days, they shall be paid for the whole of that period as Director according to their level of qualification.

(3) Pre-School Teachers:

(a) Salary Level
$ (per annum)
A.S.N.A.$
$ (TOTAL WAGE)
$ (per week)





Step I
27105
31702
58807
1127.30
Step II
28644
32287
60931
1168.00
Step III
29975
32927
62902
1205.80
Step IV
31201
33376
64577
1237.90
Step V
32432
33851
66283
1270.60
Step VI
33971
34435
68406
1311.30
Step VII
35661
34926
70587
1353.10
Step VIII
37044
35436
72480
1389.40
Step IX
38171
35859
74030
1419.10
Step X
39710
36443
76153
1459.80
Step XI
41243
37023
78266
1500.30






(b) Three year trained teacher holding a Diploma of Teaching, or equivalent, or a teacher holding a University Degree (other than a Bachelor of Education):

Enter Step I
Exit Step VII

(c) Teacher holding:

(i) University degree and Diploma of Education; or

(ii) University degree and Teacher's Certificate; or

(iii) Bachelor of Education degree

Enter Step III
Exit Step XI

(d) Teacher holding the qualifications outlined in (c) above plus a second degree or higher degree such as a graduate diploma or a degree at honours level:

Enter Step IV
Exit Step XI

(4) (a) The minimum weekly rate of wage payable to persons employed as Director, shall be:


$ (per week)
$ (A.S.N.A.)
$ (TOTAL WAGE)




Step I
591.50
637.50
1229.00
Step II
619.50
648.20
1267.70
Step III
642.10
656.40
1298.50
Step IV
672.60
665.30
1337.90
Step V
704.00
677.10
1381.10
Step VI
729.50
686.80
1416.30
Step VII
744.30
692.30
1436.60
Step VIII
782.60
706.70
1489.30
Step IX
811.00
717.50
1528.50





(b) A Director will be graded in accordance with paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subclause.

(c) Within the grades of Director the following categories of progression shall apply:

(i) Director Grade One (as defined in Clause 27 of this award):

- a Director with two year or three year training, (as defined in paragraph (e) of this subclause):

Enter Step I
Exit Step IV

- a Director with four year training (as defined in paragraph (e) of this subclause):

Enter Step III
Exit Step VI

(ii) Director Grade Two (as defined in Clause 27 of this award):

- a Director with two year or three year training, (as defined in paragraph (e) of this subclause):

Enter Step III
Exit Step VI

- a Director with four year training (as defined in paragraph (e) of this subclause):

Enter Step V
Exit Step VIII

(iii) Director Grade Three (as defined in Clause 27 of this award):

- a Director with two year or three year training, (as defined in paragraph (e) of this subclause):

Enter Step V
Exit Step VIII

- a Director with four year training (as defined in paragraph (e) of this subclause):

Enter Step VII
Exit Step IX

(d) In addition to the grading, level of training and experience relevant to determining the appropriate rate of pay for a Director an employer may advance a Director beyond the steps/increments provided for, taking into account such factors as:

(i) number of sites supervised, size of centre(s) including number of places centre(s) licensed to cover and/or total number of children taken into care; and/or

(ii) hours of operation of the centre; and/or

(iii) other factors relevant to the exercise of increased skills and responsibilities by the Director.

(e) "Two year, three year and four year trained" refers to a tertiary or post secondary qualification which is relevant to the position of Director. Where there is a dispute as to whether a qualification is relevant to the position of Director it shall be determined by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

(f) Except as provided hereunder, in paragraph (d) of this subclause progression from step to step for Director will be contingent upon:

(i) 12 months' service at each step; and

(ii) satisfactory performance at each step.

(5) On ceasing employment with an employer, the employee shall be given a written statement of the current Level and Step if appropriate and the date of commencement at that Level and Step to be passed on to the next employer.

It is a condition that no employee shall suffer a reduction in wages by reasons of the coming into operation of any order of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission in the implementation of the minimum rates adjustments.

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.

Wage relativities in the Award have been established in accordance with the September 1989 State Wage Case Decision ([1989] 69 WAIG 2917) and the establishment of a Key Minimum Classification Rate for the Qualified Child Care Giver (73 WAIG 101).



28. - 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) (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 Wages 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

New Section's Body

(b) Provided that the minimum amount payable shall not be less than $109.00 per week.

(c) Where a person’s assessed capacity is 10 per cent, 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 the 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) Lodgement of Assessment Instrument

(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 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.

(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 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 provision 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 redesign 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 12 weeks, except that in some cases additional work adjustment time (not exceeding four 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 no less than $109.00 per week.

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

(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.