Private sector employers and employees
Contact Wageline
Within Western Australia: 1300 655 266
Outside Western Australia: 08 6251 2100
wageline@dmirs.wa.gov.au
Mailing address
Locked Bag 14
Cloisters Square WA 6850
Minimum pay rates for award free employees
The information on this page applies only to employers and employees in the WA state industrial relations system. The state system covers businesses which operate as sole traders, unincorporated partnerships, unincorporated trust arrangements as well as any incorporated associations or not for profit bodies that are not trading or financial corporations. The Guide to who is in the state system has more detail.
This information does not apply to any business which operates as a Pty Ltd business and is a trading or financial corporation nor to any incorporated association or not for profit body that is a trading or financial corporation. These businesses and organisations are in the national fair work system and should visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website for information on employment laws.
Have you checked whether a WA award applies?
All employees must be paid at least the statutory minimum rate of pay. If the employee is covered by an award, they must be paid the award rate of pay. Contact Wageline to check award coverage.
Minimum pay rates for award free employees
The pay rates below are the minimum pay rates for an employee whose job is not covered by a WA award. Some exclusions apply for specific groups.
The minimum weekly rate of pay is for a 38 hour week and the minimum hourly rate applies to all hours worked above 38 each week. Award free employees do not have a minimum entitlement to be paid a higher rate of pay for hours worked above 38 each week or for work on weekends or public holidays or for shift work.
The pay rates on this page apply from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2018. To view pay rates for previous years visit the Previous years minimum rates for award free employees page.
| Age | Full time weekly rate (38 hours) |
Hourly rate | Casual hourly rate (includes 20% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (21 years or older) |
$726.90 | $19.13 | $22.95 |
| 20 years | $654.30 | $17.22 | $20.66 |
| 19 years | $581.60 | $15.31 | $18.37 |
| 18 years | $508.90 | $13.39 | $16.07 |
| 17 years | $436.20 | $11.48 | $13.77 |
| 16 years | $363.50 | $9.57 | $11.48 |
| <16 years | $290.80 | $7.65 | $9.18 |
The Award free minimum pay rates and entitlements summary provides these rates and the pay rates for award free apprentices and trainees in a printable pdf format. This summary also provides information about other entitlements for award free employees.
Exclusions apply from the minimum rates of pay for the following groups:
- people engaged in providing domestic service, including in-home care, in a private home, where employed directly by the owner or occupier of the home
- volunteers
- people who receive a disability support pension and are supported by a supported employment service
- people paid wholly by commission or piece rates
- people appointed as wardens under the National Trust of Australia (WA) Act
Minimum rates of pay for the years 2010 - 2017 are available in the Western Australian minimum wage rates 2010-2017 fact sheet.
Record keeping
All state system employers are legally required to keep employment records that detail time worked, leave taken and pay received by employees.
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