2023 Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission wage increase
On Friday 16 June the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) handed down its decision to increase the minimum wage and all pay rates in WA awards. The wage increases will come into effect from the start of the first full pay period on or after 1 July and will apply to employers in the State industrial relations system.
The State minimum adult (aged 21 years and over) wage will increase by $43.50 per week (or 5.3%) to $863.40. WA award rates of pay will also increase by 5.3%. The full WAIRC decision can be viewed here.
The Local Government Officers’ (Western Australia) Award 2021 and the Municipal Employees Award (Western Australia) Award 2021 have not been updated by the WAIRC to include the new pay rates, but we anticipate this will occur before 1 July.
2023 Fair Work Commission (FWC) wage increase
For more information about the FWC wage increase which applies to employers in the Federal industrial relations system, please see our earlier ER alert here.
Reminder: Superannuation guarantee increase from 1 July 2023
A reminder that the next increase to the superannuation guarantee rate is planned for 1 July 2023, where it will increase by 0.5% to 11%, and will eventually reach 12% by 1 July 2025. For more information please see the ATO website here.
Paid Family and domestic violence (FDV) leave to be extended to State system employers
In a previous Alert on 2 February 2023 we advised that if the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 190 is ratified by the Australian Government on or before 1 February 2025, the 10 days’ paid FDV leave entitlement, which was included in the National Employment Standards on 1 February 2023, will be extended to apply to State system employers.
We can now confirm the Federal Government has ratified the ILO Convention No. 190 and indicated it will support the full extension of the 10 days' paid FDV leave entitlement to all employees in Australia by September 2024.
We will advise Local Governments of the exact date this paid entitlement will commence, once it is known.
WA bargaining online meeting - lunch and share
WALGA ER is trialling an online meeting for WA LG people and culture professionals to share their current bargaining experiences in the State IR framework, logs of claims from unions and employees and any other issues relating to union relationships and right of entry.
Date: Tuesday, 27 June 2023
Time: 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Register here
Upcoming training
Register now for our new and revised training courses:
- State Employment Law Essentials (new date for course delivery in Kalgoorlie on 15 August 2023)
- Understanding and Applying the Local Government Industry Award 2020 - WA
- HR Toolkit for Managers (new date for course delivery in Kalgoorlie on 16 to 17 August 2023)
If you have any questions about this alert, please email WALGA Employee Relations or call 1300 366 956.
