The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission has increased the State Minimum Wage by a one off increase of 6.3%, which brings the State Minimum Wage to $918.60 per week from 1 July 2024. This takes into account the 2.3% increase resulting from the realignment of the C14 to the C13 classification rate in the Metal Trades (General) Award. and the 4.0% general increase. The Commission also increased award rates by 4% from that time.

The increases apply only to employees who are paid the minimum wage or award rates in the State industrial relations system. Approximately 27,000 employers and more than 300,000 employees are estimated to be affected by the decision.  

In making its decision, the Commission is required to consider a broad range of economic and labour market factors, and social and equity considerations.   

The Commission noted that in recent State Wage Cases, the focus had been on cost of living pressures given the high inflationary environment and rising interest rates in tandem with a continuing tight labour market. On this occasion, whilst over the past two years inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index has been very high, and well beyond the RBA target band of 2%-3%, the CPI rate for Perth has significantly eased from its peak of 8.6% in the December quarter 2022, to 4.1% in year end terms for the March quarter 2024. 

While the State economy remains strong, current data and the forecasts for the year ahead, are pointing to some slowing of growth, as continued elevated, although easing, inflation dampens demand and household spending continues to pull back from higher levels over the last two years.

The Reasons for Decision can be found here.

The Supplementary Reasons for Decision can be found here.

The General Order can be found here.

For more information please contact Susan Bastian, Registrar, on (08) 9420 4444. 

The hearing will reconvene at 12:30 PM (AWST) on Wednesday, 12 June 2024 where the Commission in Court Session will hand down its decision. Watch below or click here.

NOTICE is given that the Commission in Court Session will hear matter CICS 2 of 2024 on Thursday, 6 June 2024 at 2:00 PM (AWST).

This is an application on the Commission's own motion to rescind Location Allowance General Order 2 of 2023 and issue a new Location Allowance General Order pursuant to section 50 of the Industrial Relations Act 1979.

The full Notice can be read here.

The hearing will reconvene at 2:15 PM (AWST) on Thursday, 6 June 2024. Watch below or click here.

The Public Service Appeal Board has upheld the dismissal of an engineering associate, finding that the respondent lawfully dismissed the appellant due to her refusal to comply with a direction to be vaccinated against COVID‑19 and to provide evidence of her vaccination status.

The respondent contended that the appellant’s duties included both office-based tasks and onsite construction work, necessitating vaccination under the Building and Construction Industry Worker (Restrictions on Access) Directions (No 2).

The appellant, whose job occasionally required site visits contended that the dismissal was premature as the role did not necessitate immediate site visits, therefore the vaccination direction did not apply to her role. 

The Appeal Board found that the directive was reasonable, lawful, and necessary for complying with public health mandates and operational needs because the appellant’s role inherently required flexibility to visit sites as needed.  The Appeal Board found that the appellant was given adequate notice and opportunity to comply with the vaccination policy.

The appeal was dismissed. 

The decision can be read here.