The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission is required to set the minimum wage to apply to employers and employees covered by the WA industrial relations system.  It must do this before 1 July each year.  The current minimum wage for an adult employee of $760.00 per week was set in June 2020 to apply from 1 January 2021.  

The Commission invites interested persons and organisations to make a submission to the Commission on what minimum wage should be set in 2021. The Commission will hear oral submissions on Thursday, 20 and if necessary, a half day on Friday, 21 May 2021.  The proceedings are open to the public and will be webcast.  Any person who wishes to make an oral submission at that time should notify the Registrar of the Commission stating the basis of their interest.  This must be done by Tuesday, 11 May 2021. 

Written submissions are also welcome.  Any person or organisation who wishes to make a written submission should do so by Tuesday, 11 May 2021.  Copies of written submissions may be made public.  Anonymous submissions will not be considered. 

In making its decision, the Commission is required to consider the need to —

• ensure that Western Australians have a system of fair wages and conditions of employment; and
• meet the needs of the low paid; and
• provide fair wage standards in the context of living standards generally prevailing in the community; and
• contribute to improved living standards for employees; and
• protect employees who may be unable to reach an industrial agreement; and
• encourage ongoing skills development.

It is also required to consider:

• the state of the economy of Western Australia and the likely effect of its decision on that economy and, in particular, on the level of employment, inflation and productivity in Western Australia; and
• to the extent that it is relevant, the state of the national economy; and
• to the extent that it is relevant, the capacity of employers as a whole to bear the costs of increased wages, salaries, allowances and other remuneration; and
• the need to ensure that the Western Australian award framework represents a system of fair wages and conditions of employment; and
• relevant decisions of other industrial courts and tribunals; and
• any other relevant matters.

People interested in making a submission are invited to address those issues. 

Further particulars may be obtained from the Registry of the Commission and from the Commission’s website. All correspondence should be addressed to the Registrar at Level 17, 111 St Georges Terrace, Perth 6000 or via the Registry contact form quoting matter number APPL 1 of 2021. 

DATED at Perth, Monday, 19 April 2021.  

S. BASTIAN

REGISTRAR