State Wage Case Variation Schedule for IND012
Document Type: Direction
Matter Number: A 3/1996
Matter Description: Independent Schools' Counsellors and Psychologists Award
Industry:
Jurisdiction: Single Commissioner
Member/Magistrate name:
Delivery Date: 5 Aug 2025
Result:
Citation: 2025 WAIRC 00572
WAIG Reference:
2025 WAIRC 00572
Independent Schools Psychologists and Social Workers 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 $791.30 by 38 and multiply by the number of ordinary hours prescribed for a full-time apprentice under the award.
(c) The minimum adult apprentice wage is payable from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2025.
(d) Adult apprentices aged 21 years or more employed on a part-time basis shall not be paid less than pro rata the minimum adult apprentice wage according to the hours worked.
(e) The rates paid in the paragraphs above to an apprentice 21 years of age or more are payable on superannuation and during any period of paid leave prescribed by this award.
(f) Where in this award an additional rate is expressed as a percentage, fraction or multiple of the ordinary rate of pay, it shall be calculated upon the rate prescribed in this award for the actual year of apprenticeship.
16. – SALARIES
1 (a) The minimum annual salary payable to a psychologist or social worker engaged in the undermentioned classifications shall be:
SALARY LEVEL
ANNUAL SALARY$
Step 1
65334
Step 2
67617
Step 3
70003
Step 4
73162
Step 5
78063
Step 6
81259
Step 7
84178
Step 8
87226
(b) On appointment, a psychologist or social worker shall be placed at the appropriate salary level according to the provisions of subclause (2) of this clause. Recognition of qualifications and experience other than that outlined in this Award shall be determined by agreement between the employer and the psychologist or social worker. In the event that the parties cannot agree on the level of qualifications and/or experience that should apply then the matter may be referred to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
(c) On application by the psychologist or social worker and by agreement with the employer, salary may be deemed to include an amount which is paid on behalf of the psychologist or social worker into an Approved Superannuation fund nominated in accordance with the provisions of Clause 23. - Superannuation of the Award, and not being an employer contribution to superannuation paid in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992, Federal legislation or an employer's contributory superannuation fund.
(d) A copy of any agreement reached in accordance with paragraph (c) of this subclause shall be attached to the salary record of the psychologist or social worker concerned.
(e) For the purposes of determining weekly or fortnightly salary, the annual salaries as prescribed in this subclause, shall be divided by 52.16 or 26.08 respectively.
(2) Psychologists and Social Workers appointed to the under mentioned classifications shall be paid in accordance with the following:
(a) A social worker as defined shall commence at Step 1 and proceed by annual increments to and including Step 6.
(b) A provisional psychologist shall commence at Step 1 and proceed by annual increments to and including Step 2.
(c) A psychologist who attains full registration status with the Psychologists Board of Western Australia shall commence at Step 4 and proceed by annual increments to and including Step 8.
(d) The years of experience is indicated by the number of steps from the commencement level of each classification.
(3) Part-time psychologists or social workers shall be paid in accordance to the following formula:
Hours worked
x
Full time weekly
37.5
rate of pay
(4) (a) A relief social worker shall be paid according to the following formula:
(i)
Half day
=
0.1
x
Weekly rate for Step 5
(ii)
Full day
=
0.2
x
Weekly rate for Step 5
(b) A relief psychologist shall be paid according to the following formula:
(i)
Half day
=
0.1
x
Weekly rate for Step 6
(ii)
Full day
=
0.2
x
Weekly rate for Step 6
Note: a half day is up to 3.75 hours and a full day is up to 7.5 hours.
(5) Where the conditions of employment of a psychologist or social worker are subject to the provisions of subclause (4) of Clause 7. – Contract of Service of this Award, then, by agreement in writing between the employer and the psychologist or social worker, salary may be averaged over the full year.
SCHEDULE A – SALARIES (ASNA)
The following schedule provides a history of Clause 16. – Salaries of the Award including all Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustments (ASNA) as at 2025-07-01.
The minimum annual salary payable to a psychologist or social worker engaged in the under mentioned classifications shall be:
Column A shall apply from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after the date of the Award.
Column B shall apply from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after 5 June 2003.
SALARYLEVEL
ANNUAL SALARY$
ASNA
TOTAL
Column A
Column B
Step 1
32265
33048
32286
65334
Step 2
33924
34707
32910
67617
Step 3
35762
36545
33458
70003
Step 4
38058
38841
34321
73162
Step 5
41619
42402
35661
78063
Step 6
43941
44724
36535
81259
Step 7
46062
46845
37333
84178
Step 8
48277
49060
38166
87226
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.
Independent Schools Psychologists and Social Workers 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 $791.30 by 38 and multiply by the number of ordinary hours prescribed for a full-time apprentice under the award.
(c) The minimum adult apprentice wage is payable from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2025.
(d) Adult apprentices aged 21 years or more employed on a part-time basis shall not be paid less than pro rata the minimum adult apprentice wage according to the hours worked.
(e) The rates paid in the paragraphs above to an apprentice 21 years of age or more are payable on superannuation and during any period of paid leave prescribed by this award.
(f) Where in this award an additional rate is expressed as a percentage, fraction or multiple of the ordinary rate of pay, it shall be calculated upon the rate prescribed in this award for the actual year of apprenticeship.
16. – SALARIES
1 (a) The minimum annual salary payable to a psychologist or social worker engaged in the undermentioned classifications shall be:
SALARY LEVEL
ANNUAL SALARY$
Step 1
65334
Step 2
67617
Step 3
70003
Step 4
73162
Step 5
78063
Step 6
81259
Step 7
84178
Step 8
87226
(b) On appointment, a psychologist or social worker shall be placed at the appropriate salary level according to the provisions of subclause (2) of this clause. Recognition of qualifications and experience other than that outlined in this Award shall be determined by agreement between the employer and the psychologist or social worker. In the event that the parties cannot agree on the level of qualifications and/or experience that should apply then the matter may be referred to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
(c) On application by the psychologist or social worker and by agreement with the employer, salary may be deemed to include an amount which is paid on behalf of the psychologist or social worker into an Approved Superannuation fund nominated in accordance with the provisions of Clause 23. - Superannuation of the Award, and not being an employer contribution to superannuation paid in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992, Federal legislation or an employer's contributory superannuation fund.
(d) A copy of any agreement reached in accordance with paragraph (c) of this subclause shall be attached to the salary record of the psychologist or social worker concerned.
(e) For the purposes of determining weekly or fortnightly salary, the annual salaries as prescribed in this subclause, shall be divided by 52.16 or 26.08 respectively.
(2) Psychologists and Social Workers appointed to the under mentioned classifications shall be paid in accordance with the following:
(a) A social worker as defined shall commence at Step 1 and proceed by annual increments to and including Step 6.
(b) A provisional psychologist shall commence at Step 1 and proceed by annual increments to and including Step 2.
(c) A psychologist who attains full registration status with the Psychologists Board of Western Australia shall commence at Step 4 and proceed by annual increments to and including Step 8.
(d) The years of experience is indicated by the number of steps from the commencement level of each classification.
(3) Part-time psychologists or social workers shall be paid in accordance to the following formula:
Hours worked
x
Full time weekly
37.5
rate of pay
(4) (a) A relief social worker shall be paid according to the following formula:
(i)
Half day
=
0.1
x
Weekly rate for Step 5
(ii)
Full day
=
0.2
x
Weekly rate for Step 5
(b) A relief psychologist shall be paid according to the following formula:
(i)
Half day
=
0.1
x
Weekly rate for Step 6
(ii)
Full day
=
0.2
x
Weekly rate for Step 6
Note: a half day is up to 3.75 hours and a full day is up to 7.5 hours.
(5) Where the conditions of employment of a psychologist or social worker are subject to the provisions of subclause (4) of Clause 7. – Contract of Service of this Award, then, by agreement in writing between the employer and the psychologist or social worker, salary may be averaged over the full year.
SCHEDULE A – SALARIES (ASNA)
The following schedule provides a history of Clause 16. – Salaries of the Award including all Arbitrated Safety Net Adjustments (ASNA) as at 2025-07-01.
The minimum annual salary payable to a psychologist or social worker engaged in the under mentioned classifications shall be:
Column A shall apply from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after the date of the Award.
Column B shall apply from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after 5 June 2003.
SALARYLEVEL
ANNUAL SALARY$
ASNA
TOTAL
Column A
Column B
Step 1
32265
33048
32286
65334
Step 2
33924
34707
32910
67617
Step 3
35762
36545
33458
70003
Step 4
38058
38841
34321
73162
Step 5
41619
42402
35661
78063
Step 6
43941
44724
36535
81259
Step 7
46062
46845
37333
84178
Step 8
48277
49060
38166
87226
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.