As of 1 January 2023, all local government employers and employees will be covered by the State industrial relations system. 

The State and federal governments have now taken the necessary steps so that local government employers in WA are declared not to be national system employers for the purposes of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). 

The effect of this is that all local government employers and employees will be within the jurisdiction of the State industrial relations system for all industrial matters including employment disputes, awards or agreements. These matters will be dealt with by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission. Matters involving enforcement of industrial instruments will be dealt with by the Industrial Magistrate's Court.

For more information on common applications, please refer to the information under the Employees and Employers heading on the Commission’s website. The Commission also has a range of Fact Sheets and Practice Notes that provide general information on the processes of the Commission. 

Further information on claims before the Industrial Magistrate’s Court can be found here.