2025 WAIRC 00532
Electrical Contracting Industry Award R 22 of 1978

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.




9. – SUPPORTED WAGE

(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 Wages 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

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. (The clause does not apply to any existing employee who has a claim against the employer that 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 current employment).

The clause also does not apply to employers in respect of their facility, programme, undertaking, services or the like which receives funding under the Disability Services Act 1988 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, except with respect to an organisation which has received recognition under s10 or s12A of the Act, or if a part has received recognition, that part.

(3) Supported Wage Rates

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 (subclause 4)
% of Prescribed 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 $109.00 per week).

* 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 the union in consultation with the employee or, if desired by any of these; or

(b) the employer and an accredited Assessor from a panel agreed by the parties to the Award and the employee.

(5) Lodgement 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 a 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 10 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 paid on a pro-rata basis.

(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 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 no less than $109.00 per week; or, in the case of paid rates award, the amount payable to the employee during the trial period shall be $109.00 per week or such greater amount as is agreed from time to time between the parties (taking into account the Department of Social Security income test free areas for earnings) and inserted into this Award.

(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 outcome of assessment under subclause (4) of this clause.

FIRST SCHEDULE - WAGES

(1) The following shall be the rate of wages payable to employees covered by this award.

(2)

(a)
CLASSIFICATION
Rate Per Week
Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustment
Total Rate Per Week


$
$
$

(i) LEVEL 1




Electronics Tradesperson
549.90
685.20
1235.10






(ii) LEVEL 2




(aa) Electrician - Special Class
491.50
663.30
1154.80

(bb) Instrument Fitter/Electrical Grade 2
499.20
666.30
1165.50






(iii) LEVEL 3




(aa) Electrical Installer/Mechanic
467.30
654.20
1121.50

(bb) Electrical Fitter
467.30
654.20
1121.50

(cc) Instrument Fitter/Electrical Grade 1
484.90
660.70
1145.60

(dd) Linesperson - Grade 1 (i.e. with not less than 3 years’ experience as a Linesperson)
467.30
654.20
1121.50

(ee) Cable Jointer
467.30
654.20
1121.50






(iv) LEVEL 4




Linesperson - Grade 2




(i.e. with less than 3 years’ experience as a Linesperson)
449.30
650.10
1099.40






(v) LEVEL 5




Electrical Assistant
394.70
625.90
1020.60

(b) 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.

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

(3) Leading Hands - In addition to the appropriate rates shown in subclause (2) hereof a leading hand shall be paid –

(a)
If placed in charge of not less than three and not more than ten other employees
$38.10
(b)
If placed in charge of more than ten and not more than twenty other employees
$58.40
(c)
If placed in charge of more than twenty other employees
$75.60


(4) Apprentices:

(a) Wage per week expressed as a percentage of the Electrical Installer's rate per week and Safety Net Adjustment Payment:




%
Four Year Term

First Year
39
Second Year
51
Third Year
67
Fourth Year
79


Three and a Half Year Term

First Six Months
39
Next Year
51
Next Year
67
Final Year
79


Three Year Term

First Year
51
Second Year
67
Third Year
79

(b) Apprentices Over the Age of 21 Years

Wage per week expressed as a percentage of the Electrical Installer's rate per week and Safety Net Adjustment Payment




%
Four Year Term

First Year
67
Second Year
67
Third Year
67
Fourth Year
79


Three and a Half Year Term

First Six Months
67
Next Year
67
Next Year
67
Final Year
79


Three Year Term

First Year
67
Second Year
67
Third Year
79


(5) Tool Allowance:

(a) In accordance with the provisions of subclause (20) of Clause 18. - Special Rates and Provisions of this award the tool allowance to be paid is:

(i) $22.00 per week to such tradesperson, or

(ii) In the case of an apprentice a percentage of $22.00 being the percentage which appears against the apprentice's year of apprenticeship set out in subclause (4) of this schedule.

(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.

(6) Construction Allowance:

(a) In addition to the appropriate rates of pay prescribed in this Clause an employee shall be paid:

(i) $67.90 per week if the employee is engaged on the construction of a large industrial undertaking or any large civil engineering project.

(ii) $61.20 per week if the employee is engaged on a multi-storeyed building but only until the exterior walls have been erected and the windows completed and a lift made available to carry the employee between the ground floor and the floor upon which the employee is required to work. A multi-storeyed building is a building which, when completed, will consist of at least five storeys.

(iii) $36.10 per week if the employee is engaged otherwise on construction work falling within the definition of construction work in Clause 5. - Definitions of this award..

(b) Any dispute as to which of the aforesaid allowances applies to particular work shall be determined by the Board of Reference.

(7) Casual Employees:

A casual employee shall be paid 20 per cent of the ordinary rate payment in addition to the ordinary rate assigned to their class of work.

(8) Part-Time Employee

A part-time employee shall be paid pro-rata in accordance with the appropriate rate for the classification for the employee for the number of hours so worked.

Payments pursuant to the First Schedule Wages and Clause Nos. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 shall be strictly related proportionately in accordance with the number of ordinary hours worked, to the number of ordinary hours worked by a full time employee in accordance with Clause 11. - Hours.

(9) Licence Allowance:

A tradesperson who holds and in the course of their employment may be required to use a current "A" Grade or "B" Grade licence issued pursuant to the relevant regulation in force at the date of this award under the Electricity Act, 1945, shall be paid $32.30 per week.

(10) Commissioning Allowances:

An "Electrician Commissioning" as defined shall be paid at the rate of $49.40 per week in addition to rates prescribed in this schedule.

(11) New Classifications:

In reference to Clause 37. - Structural Efficiency of this Award -

(a) The parties to this Award are committed to implementing a broad banded wage and classification structure in accordance with the Grades set out in paragraph (f) hereunder, and

(i) Accept in principle that the descriptions of job functions within a new structure will be more broadly based and generic in nature;

(ii) Intend to substitute the existing provisions of subclause (2) of the First Schedule - Wages with a new wage and classification structure;

(iii) To make any consequential amendments not later than October 1990, nor earlier if agreed between the parties and approved by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

(b) Employees who are transferred to the new classification structure proposed under this subclause at a level which provides for a pay rate less than that being received at the date of transfer under their old classification, will have that rate of pay maintained by way of an allowance which shall be paid until -

(i) The contract of employment is terminated; or

(ii) The employee accepts appointment to a new classification.

(c) In the event that there is a claim for reclassification to a higher level under any new structure on the ground that the employee possesses equivalent skill and knowledge gained through on the job experience or on any other ground, the following principles shall apply:

(i) The parties agree that the matter shall be dealt with by the Industry Committee as provided by Clause 37(1)(e) of this Award.

(ii) Agreed competency standards shall be established by the parties for all levels in any new classification structure before any claims for reclassification are processed.

(d) Reclassification to any higher level shall be contingent upon such additional work being available and required to be performed by the employer.

(e) The parties will co-operate in the transition from the existing classification structure to the proposed new structure to ensure that the transition takes place in an orderly manner without creating false expectations or disputation.

(f) Broadbanded Grades

(i) Grade 1
(ii) Grade 2
(iii) Grade 3
(iv) Grade 4
(v) Grade 5
(vi) Grade 6
(vii) Grade 7
(viii) Grade 8
(ix) Grade 9
(x) Grade 10