2025 WAIRC 00608
Pest Control Industry 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.



19. - WAGES

(1) Classifications

(a) ‘Probationary Operator’ means an employee who has less than 3 months demonstrated experience in the pest control industry and who has not completed an accredited course in pest control techniques. At this level an employee shall work under direct supervision.

(b) ‘Operator Grade 1’ means an employee who has completed 3 months probationary employment and who holds a provisional pest controllers license and is used to perform uncomplicated work. At this level an employee shall perform all the work of a Probationary operator and shall –

(i) work individually under general supervision on work that is of a routine nature;

(ii) be able to read, understand and work from simple plans;

(iii) maintain equipment and perform minor repairs; and

(iv) apply safety precautions to their own work within the context of established procedures.

(c) ‘Qualified Operator Grade 2’ means an employee who has obtained a Certificate 2 in Pest Control as described in the Asset Maintenance National Pest Control Competency Framework and/or is licensed by the Public Health Department and who has at least 12 months demonstrated experience in the pest control industry. At this level an employee shall perform the work of all lower levels in addition to other functions outlined below –

(i) understands and applies quality control techniques;

(ii) understands and works from complex plans instructions and procedures;

(iii) co-ordinates work in a team environment and works individually under general instruction;

(iv) is responsible for assuring the quality of their own work;

(v) exercises good interpersonal and communication skills;

(vi) exercises discretion in decision making; and

(vii) assists in training of employees including trainees.

(d) ‘Qualified Operator Grade 3’ means an employee who has obtained a certificate 3 in Pest Control as described in the Asset Maintenance National Pest Control Competency Framework and/or is licensed by the Public Health Department to carry out all forms of pest control used by the employer in the enterprise (including termite control) and uses those skills. At this level an employee shall perform the work of all lower levels and in addition shall work unsupervised and use discretion to make complex decisions involved in the performance of their duties.

(e) ‘Qualified Operator Grade 4’ means an employee who is able to perform the duties of all lower levels and is used in a supervisory capacity.

(2) Wages

(a) The minimum weekly rate of wage payable to employees under this award shall be as follows:

Adult Employees
Weekly Rate$
Probationary Operator Under Supervision
953.00
Operator Grade 1
979.80
Qualified Operator Grade 2
1019.70
Qualified Operator Grade 3
1055.10
Qualified Operator Grade 4
1112.50



(3) Leading Hands

Employees appointed by the employer as a Leading Hand shall be paid the following amounts in addition to the ordinary rate of pay.



$
(a)
If placed in charge of not less than 3 and more than 10 other employees
21.20
(b)
If placed in charge of more than 10 and not more than 20 other employees
32.60
(c)
If placed in charge of more than 20 other employees
42.10

(4) Junior Employees

Junior Employees shall be paid the applicable percentage of the weekly wage of a Qualified Operator:


%
Under 16 years of Age
40
At 16 years of Age
50
At 17 years of Age
60

(5) For the purpose of this clause ‘experience’ shall mean experience with any employer in the pest control industry provided that the employer shall not be required to accept any or all of such experience up to the time of engagement where the employee has not been engaged in any of the classification contained within this clause for a period of twelve months or more. The onus of proof of previous experience shall rest with the employee concerned, who shall produce a certificate signed by the previous employer setting out the details of such previous experience.