2025 WAIRC 00647
Soft Furnishings Award

7. - WAGES

The minimum rates of wage for employees covered by this award shall be:

(1)
Classification
Total Rate$




(a) Workroom Supervisor
1101.20

(b) Specialist Soft Furnishings Maker
1055.10

(c) Installer
1033.50

(d) Cutter
1028.20

(e) Machinist
1001.40

(f) Presser and Finisher
968.90

(g) Trainee (entry level employee)
953.00




(2) 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) Apprentices:

(a) The rate per week for apprentices shall be the percentages shown in paragraph (b) hereof, of the total rate for a Specialist Soft Furnishings Maker.

(b) Percentages

Three Year Term
%


First Year
42
Second Year
55
Third Year
88

(4) Junior Employees:

(a) The wages per week for a junior employee shall be the percentage shown in paragraph (b) hereof, of the total rate for a Machinist.

(b)
Percentage:
%




Under 16 years
40

Between 16 and 17 years
48.5

Between 17 and 18 years
56

Between 18 and 19 years
77

Between 19 and 20 years
84

Between 20 and 21 years
89.5



7A. - 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.




45. - 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.

(b) Provided that this clause shall not apply to employees who were or are undertaking a traineeship otherwise than a traineeship as defined by this clause prior to the date of commencement of this clause.

(c) This clause has no relationship to the Apprenticeship system.

(2) Objective

The objective of this clause is to facilitate the establishment of a traineeship which provides approved training in conjunction with employment in order to enhance the skills and future employment prospects of Trainees, particularly young people, and the long term unemployed. The system is neither designed nor intended for those who are already trained and job ready. It is not intended that existing employees shall be displaced from employment by Trainees. Nothing in this clause shall be taken to replace the prescription of training requirements in the award.

(3) Definitions

In this clause:

(a) "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 by the State Training Authority or the National Employment and Training Taskforce (NETTFORCE). The training will be accredited and lead to qualifications as set out in subclause (4)(e).

(b) "Award" means the Soft Furnishing Award No A 23 of 1982.

(c) "Union" means the Forest Products, Furnishing and Allied Industries Industrial Union of Workers, WA.

(d) "Trainee" means an employee who is bound by a Traineeship Agreement made in accordance with this award.

(e) "Traineeship" means a system of training which has been approved by the State Training Authority, or which has been approved on an interim basis by NETTFORCE, until final approval is granted by the State Training Authority.

(f) "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 State Training Authority, NETTFORCE, or under the provisions of the State Employment and Skills Development Authority Act 1991, or any successor legislation. A Traineeship Agreement shall be made in accordance with the approved Traineeship Scheme and shall not operate unless this condition is met.

(g) "Traineeship Scheme" means an approved Traineeship applicable to a group or class of employees, or an enterprise within the industry of Soft Furnishing Manufacture. A Traineeship Scheme shall not be given approval unless consultation and negotiation with the union upon 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. A Traineeship Scheme shall include a standard format which may be used for a Traineeship Agreement.

(h) "Parties to a Traineeship Scheme" means the employer and the union involved in the consultation and negotiation required for the approval of the Traineeship Scheme.

References in this clause to "the State Training Authority and/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 State Training Authority.

(4) Training Conditions

(a) The Trainee shall attend an approved training course or training program prescribed in the Traineeship Agreement or as notified to the trainee by the 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 Traineeship Agreement, made in accordance with this clause, has been signed by the employer and the trainee and lodged for registration with the State 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 State Training Authority. The employer shall ensure that the Trainee is permitted to attend the training course or program 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 program will be monitored by officers of the State Training Authority or NETTFORCE and training records or work books may be utilised as a part of this monitoring process.

(e) Training is to 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, team work, using technology), and as are proposed to be included in the Australian Vocational Certificate 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 Australian Vocational Certificate Level 2 qualification or above.

(5) 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 State Training Authority or NETTFORCE, the 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) 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 subsequently to the State Training Authority or NETTFORCE. The written notice to be provided to the State Training Authority or NETTFORCE shall be provided within 5 working days of the termination.

An employer who chooses not to continue the employment of a trainee upon completion of the traineeship shall notify, in writing, the 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 shall be counted as service for the purposes of the Award or any other legislative entitlements.

(e) (i) The Traineeship Agreement may restrict the circumstances under which the Trainee may work overtime and shiftwork in order to ensure the training program is successfully completed.

(ii) No Trainee shall work overtime or shiftwork on his or her own unless consistent with the provisions of the Award.

(iii) No Trainee shall work shiftwork 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 a non-shiftwork Trainee.

(iv) The trainee wage shall be the basis for the calculation of overtime and/or shift penalty rates prescribed in this award.

(f) All other terms and conditions of this award that are applicable to the trainee, or would be applicable 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.

(h) The right of entry provisions contained in Clause 21 of this award shall apply to the parties bound by the Traineeship.

(6) Wages of Trainees

(a) (i) The weekly wages payable to a Trainee are as provided for in paragraph (iv) of this subclause.

(ii) These wage rates will only apply to Trainees while they are undertaking the Traineeship, which includes approved training, as defined.

(iii) The wage rates prescribed by this subclause do not apply to the complete trade level training which is covered by the Apprenticeship system.

(iv) 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

$
$
$

281.00 (50%)*
327.00 (33%)
345.00 (33%)
393.00 (25%)
462.00
plus 1 year out of school
393.00
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
 
 

*Figures in brackets indicate the average proportion of time spent on approved training to which the associated 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%.

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) Subclause (8) sets out the industry/skill level of an approved Traineeship. The industry skills contained in subclause (8) are prima facie the appropriate levels but are not determinative of the actual skill levels that may be contained in a Traineeship Scheme. The determination of the appropriate skill level shall be made by NETTFORCE based on the following criteria:

(i) Any agreement of the parties;

(ii) The nature of the industry;

(iii) The total training plan;

(iv) Recognition that training can be undertaken in stages;

(v) The exit skill level in the relevant award contemplated by the Traineeship. In the event that the parties disagree with such determination it shall be open to any party to the Award to seek to have the matters in dispute determined by the Commission.

(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) 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.

(7) Special Arrangements

The wage rates contained in this clause are minimum rates. Subject to the foregoing, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission shall be requested to determine the appropriate wage rates for any Traineeship not regarded by the parties as appropriately covered by this award.


(8) Industry/Skill Levels

Industry/Skill Level B:

Wholesale and Retail
Recreation and Personal Services
Transport and Storage
Manufacturing