2025 WAIRC 00553
Gardeners (Government) 1986 Award No. 16 of 1983

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.




25. - WAGES

(1) The minimum weekly rates of wage payable to employees covered by this award shall be:


PART A - ALL EMPLOYEES EXCEPT THOSE EMPLOYED BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION



Base Rate $
Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustments $
Minimum Award Wage $





(a)
Level One




Comprehends the following classes of work




Gardener/Ground Attendant (Grade 2)




Labourer (Maintenance and General)




Mower Operator (Walk Mower)




1st year of employment
372.70
619.70
992.40

2nd year of employment
376.50
620.70
997.20

3rd year of employment and thereafter
380.60
621.90
1002.50






Level Two




Comprehends the following classes of work




Assistant on Rubbish Vehicle




Gardener/Ground Attendant (Grade 1)




1st year of employment
377.30
621.00
998.30

2nd year of employment
381.30
622.00
1003.30

3rd year of employment and thereafter
385.10
623.10
1008.20






Level Three




Comprehends the following classes of work




Concrete Finisher, Slab and Kerb Layer




Machinery Operators




Rotary Hoe (not attached to tractor)




Tractor Pneumatic Tyred




Class I (without power - operated attachments)




Maintenance Attendant




Power-operated Portable Saw




1st year of employment
388.10
624.00
1012.10

2nd year of employment
391.90
625.00
1016.90

3rd year of employment and thereafter
395.80
626.10
1021.90






Level Four




Comprehends the following classes of work




Assistant Mechanical Maintenance




Attendant




Machinery Operators




Power Roller




Tractor (Pneumatic Tyred) (with power-operated attachments Classes 1 - 5)




Tractor (Pneumatic Tyred) (without power-operated attachments Classes 2 - 5)




Motor Vehicle Driver (less than 1.2 tonnes)




Mower Operator




Rider Mower




Walk Mower (In Charge of Vehicle) Grades 1 and 2




Senior Gardener/Ground Attendant




Senior Maintenance Attendant




1st year of employment
399.60
627.30
1026.90

2nd year of employment
403.70
628.70
1032.40

3rd year of employment and thereafter
407.30
629.60
1036.90






Level Five




Comprehends the following classes of work




(i) Machinery Operator




Tractor (Pneumatic Tyred with power-operated attachments Class 6 and up to 230 hp)




Motor Vehicle Driver (over 1.2 tonnes and below 3 tonnes) Tractor Mower Operator




1st year of employment
402.20
628.10
1030.30

2nd year of employment
406.00
629.10
1035.10

3rd year of employment and thereafter
409.50
630.10
1039.60

(ii) Motor Vehicle Driver (over 3 tonnes and less than 6 tonnes) Rider Mower (In charge of Vehicle)




1st year of employment
406.90
629.50
1036.40

2nd year of employment
410.80
630.50
1041.30

3rd year of employment and thereafter
414.40
631.70
1046.10






Level Six




Comprehends the following classes of work




Tradesperson Gardener




1st year of employment
417.80
638.40
1056.20

2nd year of employment
423.00
640.10
1063.10

3rd year of employment and thereafter
427.20
641.80
1069.00






Level Seven




Comprehends the following classes of work




Horticulturist (Certificated)




Senior Mower Operator (BMA)




1st year of employment
436.40
645.30
1081.70

2nd year of employment
440.50
646.70
1087.20

3rd year of employment and thereafter
444.50
648.30
1092.80






Level Eight




Comprehends the following classes of work




Foreperson Grade 2




1st year of employment
466.90
654.10
1121.00

2nd year of employment
472.00
655.80
1127.80

3rd year of employment and thereafter
476.50
657.70
1134.20






Level Nine




Comprehends the following classes of work




Estate Foreperson (Homeswest)




Foreperson Grade 1




1st year of employment
495.70
664.70
1160.40

2nd year of employment
500.80
666.90
1167.70

3rd year of employment and thereafter
505.30
668.50
1173.80






(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.


PART B - ALL EMPLOYEES EMPLOYED BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION


Base Rate $
Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustments $
Minimum Award Wage $




(c) Level One



Nil







Level Two



Assistant Gardener/Handyperson



1st year of employment
380.30
621.70
1002.00
2nd year of employment
383.60
622.70
1006.30
3rd year of employment and thereafter
386.70
623.60
1010.30




Level Three



Gardener/Handyperson



Gardener/Pool Maintenance Officer



1st year of employment
387.10
623.60
1010.70
2nd year of employment
391.10
624.90
1016.00
3rd year of employment and thereafter
395.30
626.00
1021.30




Level Four



Gardener/Ride on Mower Operator/ Handyperson



1st year of employment
396.40
626.50
1022.90
2nd year of employment
400.00
627.50
1027.50
3rd year of employment and thereafter
404.20
628.70
1032.90




Level Five



Senior Gardener/Handyperson



Senior Gardener/Pool Maintenance Officer



Handyperson (Belmont SHS)



1st year of employment
408.40
629.80
1038.20
2nd year of employment
412.20
631.00
1043.20
3rd year of employment and thereafter
416.00
634.60
1050.60




Level Six



Horticulturist (Certificated)



1st year of employment
439.40
646.60
1086.00
2nd year of employment
444.70
648.30
1093.00
3rd year of employment and thereafter
449.10
649.90
1099.00





(d) 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.


PART C - ALL EMPLOYEES

(2) Casual Employees

Casual employees shall be paid 20% in addition to the first year rate prescribed for the work performed. Casual employees shall not be engaged on weekends or holidays unless full-time employees are not available.

(3) A Senior Gardener/Ground Attendant who is required to maintain turf wickets, bowling greens or tennis courts shall be paid in addition to the rates prescribed an amount of $8.20 per week. Occasional off-season attention shall not qualify an employee for payment under this subclause.

(4) Where the term "year of employment" is used in this clause, it shall mean all service, irrespective of classification with that employer.


(5) Leading Hands

Leading Hands and Senior Gardener/Ground Attendants if placed in charge of:

(a) five and not more than ten other employees shall be paid $29.10 per week extra;
(b) more than ten but not more than 20 other employees shall be paid $42.60 per week extra;
(c) more than 20 other employees shall be paid $56.50 per week extra.

(6) For the purpose of subclause (1) of this clause, pneumatic tyred tractors up to 230 power take-off horse power, are classified as follows:

Class
Power Take-Off Horse Power


1
up to 15
2
over 15 up to 25
3
over 25 up to 35
4
over 35 up to 45
5
over 45 up to 60
6
over 60 up to 80

Self-propelled rollers are classified by weight complete including maximum ballast. Back Hoe when attached to a tractor shall be considered as power-operated attachment to the tractor.

(7) Apprentices

The weekly wage payable to an apprentice shall be the following percentage of the tradesperson's rate:

(a)
Four Year Term
%

First year
42

Second year
55

Third year
75

Fourth year
88



(b)
Three Year Term


First year
55

Second year
75

Third year
88

(8) Trainee Horticulturists

The weekly wage payable to trainee Horticulturists shall be the following percentage of the Certificated Horticulturist's rate:


%
First year
55
Second year
75
Third year
88

(9) Junior Employees

Junior employees shall be paid the appropriate percentage of the total rate prescribed for Gardener/Ground Attendant Grade 2.

Between 17 and 18 years of age
70
Between 18 and 19 years of age
80
Over 19 years of age, full adult rate


(10) Toilet Cleaning Allowance (Zoological Gardens)

(a) Employees of the Zoological Gardens Board covered by this award who are required to clean public toilets shall be paid 90 cents per closet, per week.

(b) For the purposes of this subclause one metre of urinal shall count as one closet and three urinal stalls shall count as one closet.

(c) All such employees shall be supplied with rubber gloves on request.