Damon Mcknight
As of 1 July 2025, the national minimum wage in Australia is $24.95 per hour or $948 per week. However, the minimum wage varies depending on the industry, occupation, and employee age. In Western Australia, the state minimum wage is $953 per week as of 1 July 2025, following a 3.75% increase. Award-free employees in Western Australia must be paid at least the minimum hourly rate for every hour worked. This rate varies based on the employee's age. For example, a 16-year-old award-free employee should earn 47.3%, or $11.80 per hour, of the national minimum wage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| National Minimum Wage in Western Australia | $24.95 per hour or $948 per week |
| State Minimum Wage in Western Australia | $953 per week |
| Casual loading for the state minimum wage | 25% |
| Minimum wage for workers under 21 | Percentage of the national minimum wage depending on age |
| Minimum wage for juniors, apprentices, and trainees | Proportionately increased from the adult minimum wage |
| Frequency of minimum wage review | Annually |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
National Minimum Wage
All employees working in Australia are entitled to a minimum wage. This is the minimum amount an employee can be paid for the work they are doing. The National Minimum Wage applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. This is the minimum pay rate provided by the Fair Work Act 2009, which is reviewed each year.
As of 1 July 2025, the National Minimum Wage is $24.95 per hour or $948 per week. Employees covered by an award or registered agreement are entitled to the minimum pay rates, including penalty rates and allowances in their award or agreement. These pay rates may be higher than the National Minimum Wage. Each year, the Fair Work Commission reviews both the National Minimum Wage and minimum pay rates under awards. Most changes begin on the first full pay period on or after 1 July.
The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission has issued a decision to adjust the state minimum wage for employees under the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993, award minimum wages, and minimum rates of pay for employees with disabilities operating under the Supported Wage System. The Commission increased the State Minimum Wage and minimum award rates of pay by 3.75%, with proportionate increases for juniors, apprentices, and trainees. This increase took effect from 1 July 2025, lifting the State Minimum Wage to $953 per week.
The minimum wage for casual employees in the state system increased on 31 January 2025, as the casual loading applied to the state minimum wage changed from 20% to 25%. Award-free employees must be paid at least the minimum hourly rate for every hour that they work. For full-time employees, the minimum weekly rate applies for the first 38 hours each week, and each extra hour of work must be paid at the minimum hourly rate.
Artists: Monetize Your Passion in Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Should the State Interfere in the Determination of Wage Rates? 1920 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Award-free minimum pay rates
In Australia, all employees are entitled to a minimum wage. This is the minimum amount that an employee can be paid for the work they are doing. The Fair Work Commission reviews and adjusts the minimum wage every year. The minimum wage is set by the award that covers the employee's industry or occupation. Awards cover various industries and occupations. Employees covered by an award or registered agreement are entitled to the minimum pay rates, including penalty rates and allowances in their award or agreement. These pay rates may be higher than the National Minimum Wage.
The National Minimum Wage applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. This is the minimum pay rate provided by the Fair Work Act 2009. As of 1 July 2025, the National Minimum Wage is $24.95 per hour or $948 per week. The Western Australian Council of Social Service Inc had proposed an increase of 4.5% for the National Minimum Wage. However, the Commission in Court Session increased the State Minimum Wage and minimum award rates of pay by 3.75%, with proportionate increases for juniors, apprentices, and trainees. This increase lifted the State Minimum Wage to $953 per week, effective from 1 July 2025.
Minimum wages for award/agreement-free workers aged under 21 are calculated as a percentage of the national minimum wage. For instance, workers under 16 years of age should get 36.8%, or $9.18 per hour. Workers who are 16, 17, and 18 years old should get 47.3% ($11.80), 57.8% ($14.42), and 68.3% ($17.04) respectively. It is important to note that some jobs pay according to the amount of work done rather than the hours worked. Even if a job is not covered by an award or agreement, it is not fair for an employer to pay less than the national minimum wage.
Australia's School Report: How Do We Measure Up?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Annual wage review
In Australia, all employees are entitled to a minimum wage, which is the least amount of pay an employee can receive for their work. The minimum wage is set by the award that covers an employee's industry or occupation. The Fair Work Commission is Australia's workplace tribunal and conducts annual wage reviews to set minimum wages for employees in the national system. The Expert Panel of the Fair Work Commission reviews and sets minimum wages for employees in the national system each year. The Fair Work Act 2009 sets out the objectives of the review, which include researching, submitting, and consulting. The review usually takes place from March to June, and the decision and order are implemented on 1 July of the following financial year. The review directly affects employees in the national system who are covered by a modern award or a transitional instrument. The Expert Panel must also ensure that all interested organisations and individuals have a reasonable opportunity to be involved in the process. The President of the Commission may direct the Panel to investigate and report on specific matters, and all research must be published. The Panel also sets an Annual Wage Review research program each year, which is endorsed by a Minimum Wages Research Group. At the end of the review, the Expert Panel issues its decision, including determinations that change the minimum wages in modern awards and a national minimum wage order for employees without an agreement or award.
The National Minimum Wage applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. This is the minimum pay rate provided by the Fair Work Act 2009 and is reviewed annually. As of 1 July 2025, the National Minimum Wage is $24.95 per hour or $948 per week. Employees covered by an award or registered agreement are entitled to minimum pay rates, including penalty rates and allowances in their award or agreement. These pay rates may be higher than the National Minimum Wage. The minimum award wages in some awards may be less than the National Minimum Wage due to introductory pay rates for new employees.
In Western Australia, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission adjusts the minimum wage for employees under the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993, award minimum wages, and minimum rates of pay for employees with disabilities operating under the Supported Wage System. In June 2025, the Commission increased the State Minimum Wage and minimum award rates of pay by 3.75%, with proportionate increases for juniors, apprentices, and trainees. This raised the State Minimum Wage to $953 per week, effective from 1 July 2025.
It is important to note that award-free employees in Western Australia must be paid at least the minimum hourly rate for every hour worked. For full-time employees, the minimum weekly rate applies for the first 38 hours each week, and each additional hour must be paid at the minimum hourly rate. Casual employees in the state system are also entitled to a minimum wage, and the casual loading applied to the state minimum wage was increased from 20% to 25% in January 2025.
Australia: An African Country?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Casual loading
The minimum wage in Western Australia is reviewed annually and is set to increase to $953 per week or $24.95 per hour from 1 July 2025. This rate applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement.
Now, let's focus on casual loading in Western Australia:
The casual loading rate is usually calculated as a percentage of an employee's base pay rate. In Western Australia, the casual loading rate varies depending on the industry and the specific award or agreement that applies to the employment. The Fair Work Ombudsman sets the minimum rates of pay for casual employees in each industry, which includes the appropriate percentage of casual loading.
In Western Australia, the casual loading rate is typically between 20% and 25% of the base pay rate. For example, in the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, the casual loading rate is set at 25%, while in the Clerks - Private Sector Award 2020, it is 22%. The casual loading rate for employees in Western Australia is determined by either the state labour relation system or the federal system, and it may also depend on the specific field of work.
Entitlements for Casual Employees:
While casual loading provides additional compensation, casual employees in Western Australia generally have more flexibility in their working hours compared to permanent employees. They can choose when they work, making it easier to manage other commitments outside of their job.
Firefighting Aid for Australia: Global Response
You may want to see also
Wage conditions for juniors, apprentices, and trainees
In Western Australia, the minimum wage rates for juniors, apprentices, and trainees are subject to specific conditions and can vary based on their industry, age, and level of training.
Juniors
Junior employees who are not covered by an award or agreement receive a percentage of the National Minimum Wage, which varies according to their age. For instance, a 17-year-old junior employee is entitled to 60% of the adult pay rate, and this increases to 70% after they turn 18. Additionally, juniors covered by certain awards, such as the Restaurant Award, are entitled to be paid the adult rate for selling or serving alcohol, regardless of their age.
Apprentices
Apprentices are employees with formal training contracts with their employers, and their pay rates are dependent on factors such as the length of their apprenticeship and their progress in the training. There are different minimum rates of pay for award-free apprentices, which are outlined in the Award-free minimum pay rates and entitlements summary. Additionally, apprentices in specialized fields, such as electrical trades, may have specific minimum wage rates set by their respective unions or industry awards. For example, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) ensures minimum apprentice wage rates for electrical apprentices, which include allowances for industry, tools, and licenses.
Trainees
Trainees, similar to apprentices, have formal training contracts with their employers. Most trainees derive their pay and conditions from Schedule E in the Miscellaneous Award, while their other entitlements, such as penalty rates, overtime, and allowances, are based on the industry or occupation award that covers them. Trainees who are still in high school and undergoing a school-based traineeship are paid for the time spent attending training or assessments related to their program.
Join Safeway Australia: Application Process Simplified
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
As of 1 July 2025, the minimum wage in Western Australia is $24.95 per hour or $948 per week.
The Fair Work Commission reviews and adjusts the minimum wage every year.
If you think you are not being paid the minimum wage, you can contact your AWU delegate or join a union. It is illegal for an employer to pay you less than the minimum wage.
Yes, there are different minimum wages for employees who are award/agreement-free and are under 21 years of age. The minimum wage also differs for employees with a disability operating under the Supported Wage System.
Casual employees in Western Australia are entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of the state minimum wage.
