2025 WAIRC 00580
Licensed Establishments (Retail and Wholesale) Award 1979

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.



21. - WAGES

The minimum rates of wages payable to workers under this award shall be as follows -

PART I - RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS

(1) ADULTS (Classification and Wage per Week):

Operative from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2025 for both parts I and II of this clause



$
ASNA
TOTAL





(a)
Shop Assistant, Sales Person, Demonstrator, Canvasser and/or Collector, Storeperson Packer, Despatch Hand, Reserve Stock Hand
409.00
599.10
1008.10





(b)
Window Dresser
415.90
601.00
1016.90





(c)
Shop Assistant, Sales Person, Demonstrator, Canvasser and/or Collector, Storeperson Packer, Despatch Hand, who is required by the employer to be in charge of a shop or other employees -









(i) If placed in charge of a shop with no other employees or, if placed in charge of less than three other employees
419.40
602.00
1021.40






(ii) If placed in charge of three or more other employees, but less than ten other employees
429.00
604.80
1033.80






(iii) If placed in charge of ten or more other employees
445.50
615.70
1061.20





(d)
Window Dresser who is required by the employer to be in charge of a shop or other employees -









(i) If placed in charge of a shop with no other employees or, if placed in charge of less than three other employees
426.00
603.80
1029.80






(ii) If placed in charge of three or more other employees, but less than ten other employees
434.90
606.50
1041.40






(iii) If placed in charge of ten or more other employees
452.20
618.30
1070.50





(e)
Storeperson Operator Grade I
420.20
602.30
1022.50





(f)
Storeperson Operator Grade 1who is required by the employer to be in charge of a shop, store or warehouse or other employees -









(i) If placed in charge of a shop, store or warehouse with no other employees or if placed in charge of less than three other employees
430.00
605.10
1035.10






(ii) If placed in charge of three or more other employees but less than ten other employees
439.40
610.40
1049.80






(iii) If placed in charge of ten or more other employees
455.90
619.70
1075.60





(g)
Storeperson Operator Grade II
425.00
603.70
1028.70





(h)
Storeperson Operator Grade II who is required by the employer to be in charge of a shop, store or warehouse or other employees -









(i) If placed in charge of a shop, store or warehouse with no other employees or if placed in charge of less than three other employees
435.50
606.80
1042.30






(ii) If placed in charge of three or more other employees but less than ten other employees
444.20
615.20
1059.40






(iii) If placed in charge of ten or more other employees
461.70
621.80
1083.50






PART II - WHOLESALE AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS

(1) ADULTS (Classification and Wage per week):



$
ASNA
TOTAL





(a)
Head Cellarperson
446.90
616.10
1063.00





(b)
Storeperson, Packer, Despatch Hand, Reserve Stock Hand
409.00
599.10
1008.10





(c)
Storeperson, Packer, Despatch Hand, Reserve Stock Hand, who is required by the employer to be in charge of a store or other employees -









(i) If placed in charge of a store with no other employees, or if placed in charge of less than three other employees
419.40
602.00
1021.40






(ii) If placed in charge of three or more other employees, but less than ten other employees
428.00
604.70
1032.70






(iii) If placed in charge of ten or more other employees
446.50
615.90
1062.40





(d)
Filling Process Employee (as defined)
392.70
594.40
987.10





(e)
Storeperson Operator Grade I
420.20
602.30
1022.50





(f)
Storeperson Operator Grade I who is required by the employer to be in charge of a shop, store or warehouse or other employees -









(i) If placed in charge of a shop, store or warehouse with no other employees or if placed in charge of less than three other employees
430.60
605.10
1035.70






(ii) If placed in charge of three or more other employees but less than ten other employees
439.40
610.40
1049.80






(iii) If placed in charge of ten or more other employees
456.90
619.90
1076.80





(g)
Storeperson Operator Grade II
425.00
603.70
1028.70





(h)
Storeperson Operator Grade II who is required by the employer to be in charge of a shop, store or warehouse or other employees -









(i) If placed in charge of a shop, store or warehouse with no other employees or if placed in charge of less than three other employees
435.50
606.80
1042.30






(ii) If placed in charge of three or more other employees but less than ten other employees
443.20
614.80
1058.00






(iii) If placed in charge of ten or more other employees
461.70
621.80
1083.50






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 III - JUNIOR WORKERS

(1) The minimum rates of wages payable to all junior workers covered by this award shall be as follows:

Junior workers (per cent of the wage prescribed herein for Storeman. Packer, Despatch Hand, Reserve Stock hand)


%
17 to 18 years of age
60
18 to 19 years of age
70
19 to 20 years of age
80
20 to 21 years of age
90

PART IV - ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

In addition to the rates prescribed elsewhere in this clause the following allowances and rates Shall be paid to a worker where applicable.

(1) (a) An employee required to operate a ride-on power operated tow motor a ride-on power operated pallet truck or a walk beside power operated high lift stacker in the performance of his/her duties shall be paid an additional 61 cents per hour whilst so engaged.

(b) An employee required to operate a ride-on fork lift, high lift stacker or high lift stock picker or a power operated overhead traversing hoist in the performance of his/her duties shall be paid an additional 83 cents per hour whilst so engaged.

(c) The allowances prescribed by this subclause shall not be payable to an employee engaged, and paid, as a "Storeman Operator Grade I" or a "Storeman Operator Grade II ".

(2) (a) A worker shall receive an additional payment for every hour of which he spends 20 minutes or more in a cold chamber in accordance with the following: In a cold chamber in which the temperature is:

(i) Below 0 degrees Celsius to -20 degrees Celsius - 90 cents per hour.

(ii) Below -20 degrees Celsius to -25 degrees Celsius - $1.04 cents per hour.

(iii) Below -25 degrees Celsius - $1.19 per hour.

(b) Employees required to work in temperatures less than -18.9 degrees Celsius shall be medically examined at the employer's expense.



39B. - TRAINEESHIPS

(1) Scope

(a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this subclause, this clause shall apply to persons:

(i) who are undertaking a traineeship (as defined); and

(ii) who are employed by an employer bound by this award; and

(iii) whose employment is covered by the Licensed Establishments (Retail and Wholesale) Award 1979 No. R 23 of 1977.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this clause shall not apply to employees who were employed by an employer bound by this clause prior to the date of approval of a traineeship scheme relevant to the employer, except where agreed between the employer and the union.

(2) Objective

(a) The objective of this clause is to establish a system of traineeships which provides approved training in conjunction with employment in order to enhance the skill levels and future employment prospects of trainees, particularly young people, and the long term unemployed.

(b) The system is neither designed nor intended for those who are already trained and job ready.

(c) Existing employees shall not be displaced from employment by trainees.

(3) Supersession

The existing award provisions for the Australian Traineeship System (ATS) shall not apply to any employer bound by this award, except in relation to ATS trainees who commenced a traineeship with the employer before the employer was bound to this award.

(4) Definitions

"Approved Training" means training undertaken in a traineeship and shall involve formal instruction, both theoretical and practical, and supervised practice in accordance with a traineeship scheme approved by the relevant state training authority or NETTFORCE. The training will be accredited and lead to qualifications as set out in subclause 5(e).

"Relevant Award" means Licensed Establishments (Retail and Wholesale) Award 1979 No. R 23 of 1977.

"Trainee" means an employee who is bound by a traineeship agreement made in accordance with this clause.

"Traineeship" means a system of training which has been approved by the appropriate State Training Authority, or which has been approved on an interim basis by the National Employment and Training Taskforce (NETTFORCE), until final approval is granted by the relevant state training authority.

"Traineeship Agreement" means an agreement made subject to the terms of this award between an employer and the trainee for a traineeship and which is registered with the appropriate State Training Authority, NETTFORCE, or under the provisions of the appropriate state legislation. A traineeship agreement shall be made in accordance with the relevant approved traineeship scheme and shall not operate unless this condition is met.

"Traineeship Scheme" means an approved traineeship applicable to a group or class of employees or to an industry or sector of an industry or an enterprise. A traineeship scheme shall not be given approval unless consultation and negotiation with the union upon the terms of the proposed traineeship scheme and the traineeship have occurred. An application for approval of a traineeship scheme shall identify the union and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the approving authority that the abovementioned consultation and negotiation have occurred.

"Parties to a Traineeship Scheme" means the employer organisation and/or the employer and the union involved in the consultation and negotiation required for the approval of a Traineeship scheme.

References in this award to "the relevant State Training Authority or NETTFORCE" shall be taken to be a reference to NETTFORCE in respect of a Traineeship that is the subject of an interim approval but not a final approval by the relevant State Training Authority. NETTFORCE powers and functions stipulated in this award may be circumscribed and/or delegated by the terms of an agreement between NETTFORCE and a relevant State Training Authority. Reference to NETTFORCE within this clause will have no effect during the currency of the W.A. State Training Authority/NETTFORCE Memorandum of Agreement.

"Appropriate State Legislation" means the State Employment and Skills Development Authority Act 1990.

(5) Training Conditions

(a) The trainee shall attend an approved training course or training programme prescribed in the Traineeship Agreement or as notified to the trainee by the appropriate State Training Authority in accredited and relevant traineeship schemes; or NETTFORCE if the traineeship scheme remains subject to interim approval.

(b) A traineeship shall not commence until the relevant Traineeship Agreement, made in accordance with a traineeship scheme, has been signed by the employer and the trainee and lodged for registration with the relevant state training authority or NETTFORCE, provided that if the Traineeship Agreement is not in a standard format a Traineeship shall not commence until the Traineeship Agreement has been registered with the relevant State Training Authority or NETTFORCE. The employer shall ensure that the Trainee is permitted to attend the training course or programme provided for in the Traineeship Agreement and shall ensure that the trainee receives the appropriate on-the-job training.

(c) The employer shall provide a level of supervision in accordance with the Traineeship Agreement during the traineeship period.

(d) The employer agrees that the overall training programme will be monitored by officers of the appropriate Sate Training Authority or NETTFORCE and training records or work books may be utilised as part of this monitoring process.

(e) Training shall be directed at:

(i) The achievement of key competencies required for successful participation in the workplace (where these have not been achieved) (e.g. literacy, numeracy, problem solving, teamwork, using technology) and as are proposed to be included in the AVC Level 1 qualification. This could be achieved through foundation competencies which are part of endorsed competencies for an industry or enterprise, and/or

(ii) The achievement of competencies required for successful participation in an industry or enterprise (where there are endorsed national standards these will define these competencies) as are proposed to be included in the AVC Level 2 qualification or above.

(6) Employment Conditions

(a) A Trainee shall be engaged as a full time employee for a maximum of one year's duration provided that a trainee shall be subject to a satisfactory probation period of up to one month which may be reduced at the discretion of the employer. By agreement in writing, and with the consent of the relevant State Training Authority or NETTFORCE the parties to a traineeship agreement may vary the duration of the traineeship and the extent of approved training provided that any agreement to vary is in accordance with the relevant Taineeship Scheme.

(b) (i) An employer shall not terminate the employment of a Trainee without firstly having provided written notice of termination to the Trainee concerned in accordance with the Traineeship Agreement and to the relevant State Training Authority or NETTFORCE. The written notice to be provided to the relevant State Training Authority or NETTFORCE shall be provided within five working days of termination.

(ii) An employer who chooses not to continue the employment of a trainee upon the completion of the traineeship shall notify, in writing, the relevant State Training Authority or NETTFORCE of its decision.

(c) The Trainee is permitted to be absent from work without loss of continuity of employment and/or wages to attend the training in accordance with the Traineeship Agreement.

(d) Where the employment of a Trainee by an employer is continued after the completion of the traineeship period, such traineeship period shall be counted as service the purposes of any relevant award or any other legislative entitlements.

(e) (i) The traineeship agreement may restrict the circumstances under which the Trainee may work overtime and shift work in order to ensure the training programme is successfully completed.

(ii) No Trainee shall work overtime or shift work on their own unless consistent with the provisions of this award.

(iii) No Trainee shall work shift work unless the parties to a Traineeship Scheme agree that such shiftwork makes satisfactory provision for approved training. Such training may be applied over a cycle in excess of a week, but must average over the relevant period no less than the amount of training required for non-shift work Trainees.

(iv) The Trainee wage shall be the basis for the calculation of overtime and/or shift penalty rates prescribed by the relevant award, unless otherwise agreed by the parties to a Traineeship Scheme, or unless the relevant award makes specific provision for a Trainee to be paid at a higher rate, in which case the higher rate shall apply.

(f) All other terms and conditions of the relevant award that are applicable to the Trainee, or would be applicable to the Trainee but for this Clause, shall apply unless specifically varied by this Clause.

(g) A Trainee who fails to either complete the traineeship, or who cannot for any reason be placed in full time employment with the employer on successful completion of the Traineeship, shall not be entitled to any severance payments payable pursuant to termination, change and redundancy provisions or provisions similar thereto.

(7) Wages

(a) (i) The minimum rates of wages payable weekly to trainees are as provided in subparagraph (iv) of this subclause.

(ii) These wage rates will only apply to trainees while they are undertaking an approved traineeship which includes approved training as defined in this clause.

(iii) The wage rates prescribed by this clause do not apply to completed trade level training which is covered by the apprenticeship system.

(iv) Skill Level B

Where the accredited training course and work performed are for the purposes of generating skills which have been defined for work at Skill Level B.

HIGHEST YEAR OF SCHOOLING COMPLETED

School Leaver
Year 10 $
Year 11 $
Year 12 $

$
$
$
 



 
286.00 (50%)*
336.00 (33%)
350.00 (33%)
400.00 (25%)
467.00
plus 1 year out of school
400.00
467.00
546.00
plus 2 year out of school
467.00
546.00
626.00
plus 3 year out of school
546.00
626.00
716.00
plus 4 year out of school
626.00
716.00
 
plus 5 years/more
716.00
 
 

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.

(b) The Skill level of approved Traineesips in the retail and wholesale industries has been agreed to be Skill Level B.

(c) For the purposes of this provision "out of school" shall refer only to periods out of school beyond year 10 (or below), and shall be deemed to:

(i) Include any period of schooling beyond year 10 (or below) which was not part of nor contributed to a completed year of schooling;

(ii) Include any period during which a trainee repeats in whole or part a year of schooling beyond year 10 (or below); and

(iii) Not include any period during a calendar year in which a year of schooling is completed.

(iv) have effect on an anniversary date being 1 January in each year.

(d) At the conclusion of the Traineeship this clause ceases to apply to the employment of the Trainee and the award shall apply to the former trainee.



41. - SUPPORTED WAGES EMPLOYEES

(1) The 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 current employment.

(c) The award does not apply to employers in respect of their facility, program, undertaking, service or the like which receives funding under the Disability Services Act 1986 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 Section 10 or Section 12A of the Act, or if a part only 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 ( Sub-clause 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 not be less than $109 per week).

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

(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 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 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 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 per week.

(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 assessment under subclause (4) of this clause.