The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission handed down its 2009 Minimum Wage Decision on 11 June 2009. Significantly, this is the first minimum wage decision to have occurred in Australia in light of the current economic conditions.

While the various employer bodies and the WA Department of Treasury and Finance submitted that there should be no wage increase at all in 2009, the Full Bench of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) has determined an increase of $12.30 per week across all WA State award rates of pay from the first pay period on or after 1 October 2009. This will bring the minimum wage in WA to $569.70 per week.

The full decision is available on the WAIRC website.

This wage increase will only apply to Western Australian employers who are NOT constitutional trading corporations and fall under the WA Industrial Relations jurisdiction.

For employers who are constitutional trading corporations the Australian Fair Pay Commission is expected to hand down its minimum wage decision in July 2009 to take effect later this year.

For further information or assistance contact your Jobs Australia Industrial Relations Adviser on 1800 060 098.