2025 WAIRC 00534
Electronics Industry Award No. A 22 of 1985

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.



PART I. - GENERAL

33. - WAGES

The minimum rates of wages payable weekly to employees covered by this award shall be as follows -

(1) (a) Adults


Rate Per Week
Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustment
Total Rate Per Week
Electronic Technician (Grade III)
537.50
680.60
1218.10
Electronic Technician (Grade II)
463.30
652.60
1115.90
Electronic Technician (Grade I)
442.20
647.50
1089.70
Electronic Serviceperson
418.90
638.70
1057.60
Installer
375.90
620.60
996.50
Serviceperson’s Assistant
357.90
615.40
973.30
Assembler (1)
352.60
614.00
966.60
Assembler
331.50
621.50
953.00
Trainee Installer


953.00

(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.

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) Leading Hands:

In addition to the appropriate rate of wage prescribed in subclause (1) of this clause a leading hand shall be paid:

(a)
If placed in charge of not less than three and not more than ten other employees
$40.60
(b)
If placed in charge of more than ten but not more than twenty other employees
$61.50
(c)
If placed in charge of more than twenty other employees
$79.90

(3) Apprentices:

(Wage per week expressed as a percentage of the rate per week for an "Electronic Serviceperson" set out in subclause (1) of this clause).

(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

Following Year
75

Final Year
88



(c)
Three Year Term
%

First Year
55

Second Year
75

Third Year
88

(4) (a) Junior Employees -

(Wage per week expressed as a percentage of the "Assembler" rate as shown in subclause (1) of this clause).


%


Under 16 years of age...........
35
Between 16 and 17 years of age...
45
Between 17 and 18 years of age...
55
Between 18 and 19 years of age...
65
Between 19 and 20 years of age...
78.5
Between 20 and 21 years of age...
93

(b) Junior Employees - Installers

(Wage per week expressed as a percentage of the "Installer" rate as shown in subclause (1) of this clause).


%


Under 17 years of age...........
45
Between 17 and 18 years of age...
55
Between 18 and 19 years of age...
65
Between 19 and 20 years of age...
75
Between 20 and 21 years of age...
90

(5) Tool Allowance

(a) Where an employer does not provide a technician, serviceperson, installer or an apprentice with the tools ordinarily required by that person in the performance of work as a technician, serviceperson, installer or an apprentice the employer shall pay a tool allowance of -

(i) $22.40 per week to such technician, serviceperson, installer; or

(ii) In the case of an apprentice a percentage of $22.40 being the percentage which appears against their year of apprenticeship in subclause (3) of this clause for the purpose of such technician, serviceperson, installer or apprentice applying and maintaining tools ordinarily required in the performance of work as a technician, serviceperson, installer 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 technicians, service people, installers or apprentices all necessary power tools, special purpose tools and precision measuring instruments.

(d) A technician, serviceperson, installer or apprentice shall replace or pay for any tools supplied by the employer if lost through his negligence.

(6) Casual Employees:

A casual employee shall be paid twenty per cent of the ordinary rate in addition to the ordinary rate prescribed for the classification in which that employee is employed.

(7) Structural Efficiency:

(a) Arising out of the decision of 8 September 1989 in the State Wage Case and in consideration of the wage increases resulting from the first structural efficiency adjustment in Application No. 1756 of 1989, employees are to perform a wider range of duties including work which is incidental or peripheral to their main tasks or functions.

(b) The parties to this award are committed to co-operating positively to increase the efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of the electronics and information technology industry and to enhance the career opportunities and job security of employees in the industry.

(c) At each plant or enterprise a consultative mechanism may be established by the employer, or shall be established upon request by the employees or their relevant union or unions. The consultative mechanism and procedure shall be appropriate to the size, structure and needs of that plant or enterprise. Measures raised by the employer, employees, or union or unions for consideration consistent with the objectives of paragraph (b) hereof shall be processed through that consultative mechanism.

(d) Measures raised for consideration consistent with paragraph (c) hereof shall be related to implementation of the new classification structure, the facilitative provisions contained in this Award and, subject to Clause 36. - Training, matters concerning training and, subject to paragraph (e) hereof, any other measures consistent with the objectives of paragraph (b) of this subclause.

(e) Without limiting the rights of either an employer or a union to arbitration, any other measure designed to increase flexibility at the plant or enterprise and sought by either party shall be notified to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission and by agreement of the parties involved shall be subject to the following requirements -

(i) The changes sought shall not affect provisions reflecting national standards recognised by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

(ii) The majority of employees affected by the change at the plant or enterprise must genuinely agree to such change.

(iii) No Employee shall lose income as a result of the change.

(iv) The relevant union or unions must be a party to the agreement.

(v) The relevant union or unions shall not unreasonably oppose any agreement.

(vi) Any agreement shall be subject to approval by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission and, if approved, shall operate as a schedule to this Award and take precedence over any provision of this award to the extent of any inconsistency.

(f) Any disputes arising in relation to the implementation of paragraphs (c) and (d) hereof shall be subject to the provisions of Clause 30. - Avoidance of Industrial Dispute, of this award.

(g) The parties to this award agree to finalise outstanding matters relating to the classification structure and definitions and in respect of further flexibility provisions relating but not limited to hours of work and higher duties within six months of 25th October, 1990.



PART II. - CONSTRUCTION WORK

10. - WAGES

(1) Subject to Clause 5. - Special Rates and Provisions of Part II of the award the ordinary weekly rate of wage shall be as set out hereunder and shall be inclusive of all special rates and allowances and be paid as an "all purpose" rate.

(2) The ordinary weekly wage of an employee engaged on construction work shall consist of the base rate and the special payment as set out in subclause (3) of this clause.

(3) (a) CLASSIFICATIONS


Rate Per Week
Special Payment
Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustment
Total Rate Per Week
Electronic Technician (Grade III)
537.50
31.50
692.40
1261.40
Electronic Technician (Grade II)
463.30
26.90
662.80
1153.00
Electronic Technician (Grade I)
442.20
25.40
654.20
1121.80
Electronic Serviceperson
418.90
24.00
647.60
1090.50
Installer
375.90
18.10
625.90
1019.90
Trainee Installer (90% of Installer)
338.30
16.30
598.40
953.00

(4) Apprentices:

The ordinary weekly wage of an apprentice shall be calculated by applying the percentage applicable under subclause (4) of Clause 33. - Wages of PART I - GENERAL of this award to the rate prescribed for a "Serviceperson" in subclause (3) of this clause for the construction work upon which the apprentice is engaged.

(5) Construction Allowances:

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

(i) $71.40 per week if engaged on the construction of a large industrial undertaking or any large civil engineering projects.

(ii) $64.50 per week if 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) $37.80 per week if engaged otherwise on construction work falling within the definition of construction work in Clause 5. - Definitions of PART I - GENERAL of this award.

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

(6) Leading Hand:

In addition to the appropriate rate of wage prescribed in subclause (1) of this clause a leading hand shall be paid:

(a)
If placed in charge of not less than three and not more than ten other employees
$40.60
(b)
If placed in charge of more than ten but not more than twenty other employees
$61.50
(c)
If placed in charge of more than twenty other employees
$79.90

(7) (a) Where an employer does not provide a Technician, Serviceperson, Installer or Apprentice with the tools ordinarily required by that Serviceperson, Technician or Installer in the performance of work as a Technician, Installer or Apprentice the employer shall pay a tool allowance of -

(i) $22.40 per week to such Technician, Serviceperson or Installer, or

(ii) In the case of an apprentice a percentage of $22.40 being the percentage referred to in subclause (3) of Clause 33. - Wages of PART I - GENERAL of this award,

for the purpose of such Technician, Serviceperson, Installer or Apprentice supplying and maintaining tools ordinarily required in the performance of work as a Technician, Serviceperson, Installer 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 Technicians, Servicepersons, Installers and Apprentices all necessary power tools, special purpose tools and precision measuring instruments.

(d) A Technician, Serviceperson, Installer or Apprentice shall replace or pay for any tools supplied by the employer if lost through that person's negligence.

(8) A casual employee shall be paid twenty per cent of the ordinary rate in addition to the ordinary rate prescribed for the classification in which that employee is employed.

(9) Minimum Wage:

(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.

(10) Structural Efficiency:

(a) Arising out of the decision of the State Wage Case on 8th September 1989 and in consideration of the wage increases resulting from the first structural efficiency adjustment employees are to perform a wider range of duties including work which is incidental or peripheral to their main tasks or functions.

(b) The parties to the Award are committed to implementing a new wage and classification structure. In making this commitment the parties:

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

(ii) Undertake that upon variation of the Award to implement a new wage and classification structure, employees may undertake training for a wider range of duties and/or access to higher levels in accordance with the definitions and training standards laid down in the award variation relating to a new classification structure;

(iii) 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.

(c) In the event that there is a claim for reclassification by an existing employee 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 apply:

(i) The parties agree that the existing award disputes avoidance procedure shall be followed;

(ii) Agreed competency standards shall be established by the parties in conjunction with TAFE and the State Employment Skills Development Authority (SESDA), (when operative) for all levels in any new classification structure before any claims for re-classification are processed.

(iii) An agreed authority (such as TAFE or SESDA) or agreed accreditation authority (when operative) shall test the validity of an employee’s claim for reclassification.

(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 are committed to modernising the terms of the Award and to addressing the issues associated with training in an endeavour to finalise these matters by 1 August 1990.

(f) The commitments referred to in this subclause are supported by a Memorandum of Agreement between the parties attached to the Award as a Third Schedule.

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.