2025 WAIRC 00641
Sheet Metal Workers' Award No. 10 of 1973

6. - WAGES AND SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENT

(1) The minimum award rate payable weekly to adult employees (other than apprentices) classified under a defined level as specified in Clause 3. - Definitions, shall be made up of a base rate, plus a supplementary payment and safety net adjustment, giving a total award rate as follows:-


BASE RATE PER WEEK $
SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENT $
SAFETY NET ADJUSTMENT $
TOTAL RATE PER WEEK $
Level C14
284.80
40.60
627.60
953.00
Level C13
299.50
42.60
610.90
953.00
Level C12
319.20
45.40
617.30
981.90
Level C11
337.40
48.10
623.40
1008.90
Level C10
365.20
52.00
637.90
1055.10






(2) Supplementary Payments:

(a) Where an employee is in receipt of a rate of pay which exceeds the Award Rate Per Week prescribed in sub-clause (1) hereof, whether such payment is being made by virtue of any order, industrial agreement or other agreement or arrangements, then such rate will be deemed to be inclusive of the Supplementary Payment.

(b) Overtime, shift allowances, penalty rates, disability allowances, special rates, fares, and travelling time allowances and any other work-related allowances prescribed by this award shall not be offset against Supplementary Payments.

(c) Alterations to the base rate and supplementary payments, arising out of the variation occurring on 15th May 1996 to reflect the percentage relativities in Clause 3. - Definitions of this Award for each classification level, shall not provide cause to allow an increase or decrease of an employee’s total remuneration if the total remunerations in excess of the award rate per week prescribed in sub-clause (1) hereof.

(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.

(3) Junior Workers - Wage per week expressed as a percentage of the rate prescribed for an employee classified as Level C13:-


%


Under 16 years of age
35
16 years of age
45
17 years of age
55
18 years of age
65
19 years of age
78.5
20 years of age
93

(4) Apprentices - Wage per week expressed as a percentage of the award rate for a Level C10 classification:-

Five Year Term
%


First Year
40
Second Year
48
Third Year
55
Fourth Year
75
Fifth Year
88


Four Year Term
%


First Year
42
Second Year
55
Third Year
75
Fourth Year
88


Three and a Half Year Term
%


First Six Months
42
Next Year
55
Next Year
75
Final Year
88


Three Year Term



First Year
55
Second Year
75
Third Year
88

(5) Construction Allowance:

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

(i) $37.20 per week if engaged on the construction of a large industrial undertaking or any large civil engineering project.

(ii) $33.40 per week if engaged on a multistorey 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 he/she is required to work. A multistorey building, when completed, will consist of at least five storeys.

(iii) $19.70 per week if engaged otherwise on construction work falling within the definition of construction work in Clause 3. - Definitions 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.

(c) An allowance paid under this subclause includes any allowance otherwise payable under Clause 7. - Special Rates and Provisions of this award, except the allowance for work at heights.

(6) Leading Hands:

In addition to the appropriate total wage prescribed in this clause, a leading hand shall be paid:



$



(a)
If placed in charge of not less than three and more than 10 other employees
21.00



(b)
If placed in charge of more than 10 and not more than 20 other employees
32.20



(c)
If placed in charge of more than 20 other employees
41.60

(7) A casual worker shall be paid 20 per cent of the ordinary rate in addition to the ordinary rate for the calling in which he/she is employed.

(8) The rate prescribed in this award for any classification is not amended by this clause and shall not, for the purposes of any other award, order, industrial agreement or other agreement, be deemed to have been so amended.

(9) 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 operative from the commencement of the first pay period beginning on or after 3 November 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 international competitiveness of the metal and engineering 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. 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 and procedures.

(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 37. - Training of this award, matters concerning training and, subject to paragraph (e) hereof, any other measures consistent with the objectives of paragraph (b) hereof.

(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 any party shall be notified to the Commission if the initiative varies an Award provision 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 the 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 subclause (c) and (d) hereof shall be subject to the provisions of Clause 27. - Avoidance of Industrial Disputes of this award.

(10) Liberty to Apply:

Liberty is reserved for the parties to this Award to pursue the inclusion of classification levels in excess of those currently contained in subclause (1) of this Clause.



6A. - MINIMUM 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.



38. - TRAINEESHIPS

(1) Scope:

(a) 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.

(b) This clause does not apply to the Apprenticeship system.

(2) Objectives:

(a) This clause facilitates a system of traineeships which provides approved training in conjunction with employment in order to enhance skill levels and future employment prospects of Trainees, particularly young persons and long term unemployed persons; and

(b) this clause provides conditions of employment, including rates of pay, required to be observed regarding persons employed under the Traineeship Scheme; and

(c) existing full time employees shall not be displaced from employment by a Trainee.

(3) Limited Operation (ATS and CST):

The wage rates prescribed herein and relative to the Australian Traineeship System (ATS) or the Career Start Traineeships (CST) shall not apply to any employer bound by this Award, except in relation to ATS and CST Trainees who commenced a traineeship with the employer before 28 July 1995.

(4) Definitions:

“Appropriate State Legislation” means the State Employment and Skills Development Authority Act 1990, or any successor legislation.

“Approved Training” means training undertaken both on and off the job in a Traineeship and shall involve formal instruction, both theoretical and practical, and supervised practice in accordance with a Traineeship Scheme approved and accredited by the 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 Training Authority. A Traineeship Agreement shall only operate when made in accordance with the relevant approved Traineeship Scheme.

“Traineeship Scheme” means the Metal and Engineering Industry Traineeship, Australian Traineeship System or Career Start Traineeship approved by the State Training Authority, or any other Traineeship Scheme for employees covered by this Award and approved by the Training Authority after consultation and negotiation with the Union.

“Training Authority” means -

(a) the State Employment and Skills Development Authority and any successor; or

(b) the National Employment and Training Taskforce where such gives interim approval to a Training Scheme and thereafter until that scheme is finally approved by the body referred to in (a) hereof.

(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 Training Authority in accredited and relevant Traineeship Schemes.

(b) A Traineeship shall not commence until the Traineeship Agreement, made in accordance with the Traineeship Scheme, has been signed by the employer and the trainee and lodged for registration with the Training Authority, 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 Training Authority. The employer shall permit the Trainee to attend the training course or programme provided for in the Traineeship Agreement and shall ensure the Trainee receives the appropriate on-the-job training.

(c) The employer shall provide an appropriate level of supervision during the traineeship period.

(d) The over-all training programme will be monitored by officers of the Training Authority and training records or work books shall be provided if required to be utilised as part of this monitoring process.

(6) Employment Conditions:

(a) A Trainee shall be engaged as a full time employee for a maximum duration of one year, provided that a Trainee shall be subject to a satisfactory probation period of one month which may be reduced at the discretion of the employer. By agreement in writing, and with the consent of the Training Authority, the relevant employer and the Trainee 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 Traineeship 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 Training Authority.

(ii) An employer who decides not to continue the employment of a Trainee upon completion of the traineeship shall notify, in writing, the Training Authority of that 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 and the Trainee will attend such training.

(d) Where the employment of a Trainee by an employer is continued after completion of the traineeship period, such traineeship period shall be counted as service for the purposes of this Award.

(e) All other terms and conditions of this 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.

(f) 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 payment.

(g) (i) Overtime and shift work shall not be worked by a Trainee except in circumstances where the section in which the trainee is receiving on-the-job training is required to work overtime, or the work of that section is normally carried out by shifts and there is satisfactory provision for approved training.

(ii) A Trainee shall not work overtime alone.

(iii) The Trainee wage shall be the basis for the calculation of overtime and/or shift penalty rates prescribed by this Award.

(7) Wages:

(a) (i) The minimum rates of wages payable weekly to Trainees are as provided in paragraphs (b) or (d) 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 wages prescribed by this clause do not apply to complete trade level training which is covered by the apprenticeship system.

(b) Traineeships (excluding ATS and CST):

*Figures in brackets indicate the average proportion of time spent on approved training to which the associate wage rate is applicable. Where not specifically indicated, the average proportion of time spent in structured training which has been taken into account in setting the rate is 20%.

(i) Industry/Skill Level A:

Where the accredited training course and work performed are for the purpose of generating skills which have been defined for work at industry/skill Level A -

HIGHEST YEAR OF SCHOOLING
School Leaver
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12

$
$
$

277.00 (50%)*
323.00 (33%)
344.00 (33%)
384.00 (25%)
471.00
plus 1 year out of school
384.00
471.00
545.00
plus 2 years
471.00
545.00
640.00
plus 3 years
545.00
640.00
730.00
plus 4 years
640.00
730.00
 
plus 5 years/more
730.00
 
 

(ii) Industry/Skill Level B:

Where the accredited training course and work performed are for the purpose of generating skills which have been defined for work at industry/skill Level B -

HIGHEST YEAR OF SCHOOLING
School Leaver
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12

$
$
$

277.00 (50%)*
323.00 (33%)
344.00 (33%)
384.00 (25%)
462.00
plus 1 year out of school
384.00
462.00
527.00
plus 2 years
462.00
527.00
620.00
plus 3 years
527.00
620.00
708.00
plus 4 years
620.00
708.00
 
plus 5 years/more
708.00
 
 

(iii) Industry/Skill Level C:

Where the accredited training course and work performed are for the purpose of generating skills which have been defined for work at industry/skill Level C -

HIGHEST YEAR OF SCHOOLING
School Leaver
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12

$
$
$

277.00 (50%)*
323.00 (33%)
344.00 (33%)
384.00 (25%)
460.00
plus 1 year out of school
384.00
460.00
517.00
plus 2 years
460.00
517.00
581.00
plus 3 years
517.00
581.00
652.00
plus 4 years
581.00
652.00
 
plus 5 years/more
652.00
 
 


(c) For the purposes of this subclause, “out of school” shall refer only to periods out of school beyond Year 10 and shall be deemed to -

(i) include any period of schooling beyond Year 10 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; and

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

(d) Traineeships (AST and CST only):

Wages for the Australian Traineeship System and Career Start Trainees shall be calculated as follows:-

(i) Australian Traineeship System:

(aa) The weekly wage payable to a trainee shall be not less than that determined by applying the appropriate junior wage per week, calculated in accordance with subclause (2) in Clause 6. - Wages of this Award and multiplying by 39, which represents actual weeks spent on the job, then dividing that sum by 52 to provide a weekly wage.

(bb) In any case, the rate determined shall not be less than the minimum rate prescribed in the Australian Traineeship guide-lines as amended from time to time.

(ii) Career Start Traineeship:

(aa) Determining the hourly rate applicable to a Level C13 adult employee, if 21 years of age or older, or the appropriate junior wage per week as prescribed by subclause (2) of Clause 6. - Wages of this Award.

(bb) Multiplying that hourly rate by the number of weekly ordinary hours, less the average training as specified in the Registered Agreement.

(e) Completed Traineeship - Continued Junior Employment:

Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Award, where a Trainee successfully completes a Traineeship and is a junior person who is then employed by the same employer performing work appropriate to the training received pursuant to -

(i) The Traineeship Scheme (excluding the Australian Traineeship System and a Career Start Traineeship), the qualification outcome determined by the training programme shall be equated to an appropriate level within the classification structure described in Clause 3. - Definitions of this Award and the wage rate relevant thereto as prescribed in Clause 6. - Wages of this Award shall be the level of wage to which the prescribed age-related percentage appropriate to the junior employee concerned will be applied to calculate the weekly rate of wage for such junior employee; or

(ii) the Australian Traineeship System, or the Career Start Traineeship, the rate of wage for Level C12 prescribed by Clause 6. - Wages of this Award shall be the level of wage to which the prescribed age-related percentage, appropriate to the junior employee concerned, will be applied to calculate the weekly rate of wage for such junior employee.

(8) Industry/Skill Levels:

The industry skill levels referred to in subclause (7) of this clause are those described in this subclause.

(a) Industry/Skill Level A:

Office Clerical
Commonwealth Public Sector Clerical
State Public Sector Clerical
Local Government Clerical
Finance, Property and Business Services.

(b) Industry/Skill Level B:

Wholesale and Retail
Recreation and Personal Services
Transport and Storage
Manufacturing.

(c) Industry/Skill Level C:

Community Services and Health
Pastoral
Environmental
Wholesale and Retail - Vehicle Repair Services and Retail Sector.