2025 WAIRC 00658
Timber Workers Award No. 36 of 1950

52. - RATES OF PAY

(1) Classifications

(a) (i) Upon engagement all employees shall be classified in the group in which they are engaged to work.

(ii) An employee will only be classified into a higher group where that employee has been trained and has met the assessment and competence criteria established for the higher group and a vacancy exists. Such reclassification will only be made where the employee is trained and capable of performing the relevant duties of the higher group to the required standard. The grouping of employees is provisional on the employee remaining willing and able to perform the duties required in the group in which he/she is classified.

(iii) (aa) The assessment of employees will be carried out by an employee nominated by the Works Manager who will normally be a supervisor but may be an employee suitably qualified in that trade or calling.

(cc) Should the re-examiners reach a tied decision, then this matter may be referred to a Board of Reference for determination.

(bb) At the employee's request re-examination will be carried out by a panel consisting of the supervisor, the employee's representative and a suitably qualified employee of the employee's choice with knowledge of the area of work and the Manager or the Manager's delegate.

(iv) An employee classified to a higher group will have his/her performance subject to review and the employer may, should the employee's performance be unsatisfactory, revert the employee's classification to the previous level.

(v) At the employee's request, the demotion will be re-examined by a panel consisting of the Supervisor, the employee's representative, a suitably qualified employee of the employee's choice with knowledge of the area of work and the Manager or the Manager's delegate.

(vi) Provided that no employee is to be prejudiced by acting or failing to act in a manner provided for in this paragraph (a).

(b) Employees will be classified into groups as follows:

(i) Timber Industry Employee - Group 1

(Relativity to Group 5 - 78%)

Timber Industry Group 1 employee shall mean an employee classified as such who is engaged on work in connection with or incidental to the production, maintenance and distribution operations of the employer. The Timber Industry Group 1 employee may be required by the employer to perform any, but not necessarily all of the duties listed in subclause (2) hereof, and for training purposes, the duties of higher classifications of employees. After a period of three months the employer and employee shall review the employee's classification of work.

(ii) Timber Industry Employee - Group 2

(Relativity to Group 5 - 82%)

Timber Industry Group 2 employee shall mean an employee classified as such who is engaged on work in connection with or incidental to the production, maintenance and distribution operations of the employer. The Timber Industry Group 2 employee may be required by the employer to perform any, but not necessarily all of the duties listed in subclause (2) hereof.

In addition, the Timber Industry Group 2 employee will perform those duties of a lower classification related to the duties listed in subclause (2) hereof, and for training purposes, the duties of higher classifications of employees.

(iii) Timber Industry Employee - Group 3

(Relativity to Group 5 - 87.4%)

Timber Industry Group 3 employee shall mean an employee classified as such who is engaged on work in connection with or incidental to the production, maintenance and distribution operations of the employer. The Timber Industry Group 3 employee may be required by the employer to perform any, but not necessarily all of the duties of the positions listed in subclause (2) hereof.

In addition, the Timber Industry Group 3 employee will perform those duties of a lower classification related to the duties listed in subclause (2) hereof, and for training purposes, the duties of higher classifications of employees.

(iv) Timber Industry Employee - Group 4

(Relativity to Group 5 - 92.4%)

Timber Industry Group 4 employee shall mean an employee classified as such who is engaged on work in connection with or incidental to the production, maintenance and distribution operations of the employer. The Timber Industry Group 4 employee may be required by the employer to perform any, but not necessarily all of the duties of the positions listed in subclause (2) hereof.

In addition, the Timber Industry Group 4 employee will perform those duties of a lower classification related to the duties listed in subclause (2) hereof, and for training purposes, the duties of higher classifications of employees.

(v) Timber Industry Employee - Group 5

Classification in this group shall be dependent upon an employee holding the appropriate trade qualifications or an employee qualified and/or engaged to perform any of the duties of a Timber Industry Group 5 Employee.

The Timber Industry Group 5 employee shall mean an employee classified as such who is engaged on work in connection with or incidental to the production, and distribution operations of the employer. The Timber Industry Group 5 employee may be required by the employer to perform any, but not necessarily all of the duties of the positions listed in subclause (2) hereof.

In addition, the Timber Industry Group 5 employee will perform those duties of a lower classification related to the duties listed in subclause (2) hereof, and for training purposes, the duties of higher classifications of employees.

(vi) Timber Industry Employee - Group 6

(Relativity to Group 5 - 105%)

Classification in this group shall be dependent upon an employee holding the appropriate advanced trade qualifications or an employee qualified and/or engaged to perform any of the duties of a Timber Industry Group 6 employee.

Timber Industry Group 6 employee shall mean an employee classified as such who is engaged on work in connection with or incidental to the production, and distribution operations of the employer. The Timber Industry Group 6 employee may be required by the employer to perform any, but not necessarily all of the duties of the positions listed in subclause (2) hereof.

In addition, the Timber Industry Group 6 employee will perform those duties of a lower classification related to the duties listed in subclause (2) hereof, and for training purposes, the duties of higher classifications of employees.

(vii) Provided that a holder of a Certificate in Timber Technology who is engaged in groups one to five shall be paid at one level higher than the level at which he/she would otherwise be paid.

(2) Duties

(a)
Breaking Down Saws:
Group

(i) Sawyers planking out and/or flitching to size with fully mechanised unit


(ii) Specialist scribe saw operator
6

(iii) Sawyers other than (i) or (ii)
4

(iv) Assistants including hookperson other than item (v)


(v) Hookperson who in addition operates chain or other power driven saw


(vi) Log measurer
2



(b)
Benchmen:


(i) No. 1
5

(ii) No. 2
4

(iii) No. 3
3

(iv) No. 4
2



(c)
Stub Edger
5



(d)
Dockers - Log Sawmilling Section:


(i) Responsible person at main docker
3

(ii) Tallyperson at main docker
3

(iii) Dockerperson at main docker
2

(iv) Responsible person at No. 2 Bench Docker
3

(v) Tallyperson at No. 2 Bench Docker
3

(vi) Dockerperson No. 2 Bench Docker
2

(vii) Responsible person other dockers
2

(viii) Tallyperson other dockers
2

(ix) Dockerperson other dockers
2

For the purpose of this paragraph where the only timber fed to the No. 2 bench is from the No. 1 bench and that timber is not equal in amount to that handled by the No. 1 bench then "No. 2 Bench Docker" shall be deemed to be "other docker".

(e)
Pullers-out and/or assistants on No. 1 Bench:


(i) Single handed on dead or hand propelled roller
3

(ii) Double handed as in (i)
3

(iii) Friction Feed
3



(f)
Pullers-out and/or assistants on No. 2 and 3 Bench
2



(g)
Power driven cross sawyer other than docking saw
3



(h)
Mill or Yard Hand
1



(i)
Kiln Attendant
3



(j)
(i) Kiln Operator
4

(ii) Kiln Controller
5



(k)
Rosser Head Debarker Operator (at sawmill)
3



(l)
(i) Saw Doctor
5

(ii) Specialist Saw Doctor
6



(m)
Saw Filer or Sharpener
4



(n)
Stackers:


(i) Block stacker of timber, plywood or veneer
2

(ii) For seasoning by means of stripping or other recognised method


(iii) Pulling off sleepers or sawn timber with a cross section greater than 25000 square millimetres


(iv) Pulling off sawn timber - other
2



(o)
Tallyperson (other than Docker):


(i) Responsible for making up orders
4

(ii) Others
3



(p)
Watchperson
2



(q)
Dockerperson - Machining Section:


(i) Computerised optimizer
4

(ii) Who grades or selects timber for joinery or machining


(iii) Other
2



(r)
Wood-Machining Section:


(i) Shaper
5

(ii) Flooring machinist - fast feed
5

(iii) Fast feed sizer
5

(iv) Grinder whose principal duties include grinding knives and cutters


(v) Moulding Machinist or two, three or four-sided Planer:


(aa) who is required to set up the machine
5

(bb) who is not required to set up the machine
3

(vi) Buzzer:


(aa) who is required to do other than planing one face and squaring edge and who is required to set up his/her own machine
5

(bb) other
3

(vii) Tenoner:


(aa) who is required to set up his/her machine
5

(bb) other
3

(viii) Thicknesser:


(aa) who is required to set up his/her own machine and grind his/her knives and cutters
5

(bb) who is required to set up his/her own machine but not required to grind his/her knives and cutters
3

(ix) Chain Morticer/Morticer Finger Jointer:


(aa) required to set up his/her machine
5

(bb) other
3

(x) Grader and Feeder, Fastfeed or Mosaic Flooring Machine


(aa) who is required to set up his/her machine
5

(bb) other
3

(xi) Grader behind Fastfeed Flooring Machine
3

(xii) Tailer-out Four-Sider Planner
2

(xiii) Floor Sanding Machine
3

(ivx) End Matcher:


(aa) required to set up his/her own machine
3

(bb) other
2
(s)
(i) Mill Waste Chipper Attendant
2

(ii) Mill Waste Chipper Attendant who sets up and changes knives




(t)
Belt repairers whilst so engaged other than machinist or sawyer repairing his/her own belts
2



(u)
(i) Specialist Carpenter and/or Joiner
6

(ii) Carpenters and/or Joiners
5

(iii) Bush Carpenter
4

(iv) Tradespersons Assistant
3



(v)
Faller:


(i) Hardwood/Softwood Restricted Ticket
3

(ii) Hardwood/Softwood Open Ticket
4

(iii) Hardwood Open Ticket and more than one year's experience




(w)
Sleeper loader or turner loading sleepers over 1.52 metres from truck level or lower




(x)
Boom Arm Loader Operator:


(i) Trainee
2

(ii) Appointed
5



(y)
Mill Cleaner
2



(z)
Mill Greaser
3



(ab)
(i) Millwright
5

(ii) Specialist Millwright
6



(ac)
Timber Treatment Plant:


(i) Pine Pole Debarking Machine Operator
4

(ii) Pine Pole Debarking Machine Puller-out who is required to grade and tally logs and then only from such time as he/she is required to so act


(iii) Pine Pole Treatment Plant Operator
5

(iv) Tractor Driver (on rails)
4



(ad)
Sanitary Person
4



(ae)
Splicer
3



(af)
Spotters:


(i) Circular Saw
4

(ii) Vertical Saw
2



(ag)
Swamper (logging with loader/tractor)
2



(ah)
Mechanised transfer operator
3



(ai)
Operator electrical overhead traverser
3



(aj)
(i) Driver of front end loader in bush
5

(ii) Driver of front end loader in mill
4



(ak)
Crane or Fork Lift assistant
2



(al)
Chain Saw Operator (Bush):


(i) Other than faller
3

(ii) Engaged on salvage operation
5



(am)
Crawler Tractor Operators:


(i) Up to and including Class 3 without power operated attachments


Up to Class 2 with power operated attachments


(ii) Class 4 and 5 without power operated attachments.


Class 3 and 4 with power operated attachments
5

(iii) Above Class 5 without power operated attachments.


Class 5 and 6 with power operated attachments
5

(iv) Above Class 6 with power operated attachments
5




Note: Crawler Tractors are classified in accordance with Australian Standard D4-1964 "classification of Crawler Tractor by weight" as follows





Class: 1 Shipping weight (lbs) up to 3000 2 over 3000 up to 6000


3 over 6000 up to 10000


4 over 10000 up to 15000


5 over 15000 up to 25000


6 over 25000 up to 40000


7 over 40000 up to 60000


8 over 60000 up to 80000


9 over 80000




(an)
Tractor using power operated attachments
3



(ao)
Power Grader Operators:


(i) Under 50 net engine horse power
3

(ii) Between 50 and 100 net engine horse-power
3

(iii) Over 100 net engine horse-power
4



(ap)
Diamond Mill


(i) Conveyor Operator (Woodchip)
4

(ii) Chipper on Feed Operator
5

(iii) Rail Truck Loader Attendant
4

(iv) Chip Screen Attendant
3

(v) Chip Tester
3

(vi) Debarker Operator (Woodchip)
5

(vii) Log Washer
2

(viii) Pulpwood Cutter and/or Splitter
2

(ix) Splitting Machine, Log Operator
3

(x) Weighbridge Attendant
4

(xi) Twin Saw Operator
5

(xii) Grinder whose principal duty is grinding chipper knives


(xiii) Security Train Unloader
4

(aa) Small Log Line Operator
4

(bb) Mobile Log Line Controller
6



(aq)
Trainee in all positions up to first 3 months of employment




(ar)
Forwarder Driver
5



(as)
Harvester
5



(at)
Processor (Bell Logger)
5



(au)
Delimber
4



(av)
Skidder
5



(aw)
Truck Mechanic
5

(3) Wages

The minimum rate of wage for employees covered by this award, excluding those employees provided for in subclause (4) hereof, shall be:

(a) Timber Industry Employee:


RATE$
ASNA$
TOTAL RATE$




Group 1
349.40
603.60
953.00
Group 2
366.10
586.90
953.00
Group 3
388.60
593.30
981.90
Group 4
409.50
599.40
1008.90
Group 5
441.20
613.90
1055.10
Group 6
462.10
621.90
1084.00

(b) 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.

(4) Transport - Employee Groups

The minimum rate of wage for employees covered by this award, as defined below shall be:

(a) Timber Industry Transport Employee:


RATE$
ASNA$
TOTAL RATE$




Group 1
406.20
598.30
1004.50
Group 2
417.70
601.90
1019.60
Group 3
425.30
603.70
1029.00
Group 4
433.00
606.10
1039.10
Group 5
440.70
610.70
1051.40
Group 6
459.70
621.20
1080.90
Group 7
471.20
625.50
1096.70
Group 8
490.30
632.40
1122.70

(b) 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.

(c) Employees under this subclause shall be defined as follows:

Group 1






(i)
Driver, rigid vehicle from 4.5 to 13.9 tonnes GVM or GCM (Gross Vehicle Mass) (Gross Combination Mass)

(ii)
Driver, fork lift up to and including 5 tonnes lifting capacity

(iii)
Driver, tractor without power operated attachments



Group 2






(i)
Driver Rigid Vehicle over 13.9 tonnes GVM or GCM and up to 13 tonnes capacity

(ii)
Straddle carrier driver

(iii)
Driver of dump truck (unlicensed)

(iv)
Driver of fork lift over 5 and up to 10 tonnes lifting capacity



Group 3






(i)
Driver articulated vehicle to 22.4 tonnes GCM

(ii)
Driver rigid vehicle and heavy trailer to 22.4 tonnes GCM

(iii)
Driver rigid vehicle 4 or more axles over 13.9 tonnes GVM or GCM

(iv)
Driver of fork lift over 10 and up to 34 tonnes lifting capacity



Group 4






(i)
Driver low loader to 43 tonnes GCM

(ii)
Driver articulated vehicle over 22.4 tonnes GCM and up to 39 tonnes capacity

(iii)
Driver mobile crane up to 25 tonnes lifting capacity

(iv)
Driver rigid vehicle and heavy trailer over 22.4 tonnes GCM

(v)
Driver of fork lift over 34 tonnes lifting capacity



Group 5






(i)
Driver articulated vehicle over 22.4 tonnes GCM over 39 and up to 60 tonnes capacity

(ii)
Driver multiple articulated vehicle up to 53.4 tonnes GCM

(iii)
Driver low loader over 43 tonnes GCM (for each additional complete tonne over 43 an extra 79 cents as part of the weekly wage rate for all purposes shall be payable)



Group 6






(i)
Driver mobile crane over 25 and up to 50 tonnes lifting capacity

(ii)
Driver multiple articulated vehicle over 53.4 tonnes up to 94 tonnes GCM up to 65 tonnes capacity



Group 7






(i)
Driver multiple articulated vehicle over 94 tonnes GCM up to 75 tonnes capacity

(ii)
Driver of mobile crane over 50 tonnes lifting capacity



Group 8






(i)
Driver multiple articulated vehicle over 94 tonnes GCM over 75 and up to 95 tonnes capacity (for each additional complete tonne over 95 an extra 79 cents as part of the weekly wage rate for all purposes shall be payable)

(5) Junior Employees

In addition to such amounts as may be prescribed by subclause (2) of Clause 9. - Junior Employees, junior employees shall receive the following percentage of a Timber Industry Employee Group 1 wage rate inclusive of supplementary payment:

Under 17 years of age
45%
Between 17 & 18 years of age
55%
Between 18 & 19 years of age
80%
Over 19 years of age
100%

(6) Apprentices

Apprentices shall receive the following percentage of a Timber Industry Employee Group 5 wage rate inclusive of supplementary payment:

Four Year Term -

First Year
50%
Second Year
60%
Third Year
75%
Fourth Year
90%

(7) Leading Hand

In charge of 3 - 10 employees - an extra $17.00 per week.

In charge of 11 - 20 employees - an extra $25.60 per week

In charge of over 20 employees - an extra $33.20 per week.

(8) Award Rate of Pay Maintenance

An employee who was receiving an award rate of pay which was in excess of the rate prescribed in the order of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission in matter No. 768 of 1993, shall have his or her rate preserved until agreement is reached between the parties, or the Commission determines that the differential is to be absorbed.

(9) Minimum Adult Wage

(a) No employee aged 21 or more shall be paid less than the minimum adult award wage unless otherwise provided by this clause.

(b) 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.

(c) The minimum adult award wage is deemed to include all State Wage order adjustments from State Wage Case decisions.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) 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.

(g) 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.

(h) Subject to this clause the minimum adult award wage shall –

(i) Apply to all work in ordinary hours.

(ii) 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.

(i) 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.

(j) Adult Apprentices

(i) 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.

(ii) 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.

(iii) The minimum adult apprentice wage is payable from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2025.

(iv) 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.

(v) 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.

(vi) 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.