WA awards for common jobs

An accountant is likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

Aged care support workers or carers employed directly by a household employer (e.g. the householder or a family member) to provide care for an elderly person in a private home are likely to be award free – Visit Domestic and support workers employed by household employers and view the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

Aged care support workers or carers employed by an organisation or business to provide aged care in a private home are also likely to be award free - View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

An alarm installer / servicer is likely to be covered by the Electrical Trades (Security Alarms Industry) Award.

An animal refuge or shelter worker where veterinary services are provided by the business is likely to be covered by the Animal Welfare Award.

If no veterinary services are provided by the business, the worker is likely award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

An arborist is likely to be to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A automotive electrician is likely to be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award.

An automotive spraypainter is likely to be covered by the Vehicle Builders Award. 

A baker or baker's assistant working in a bakery in the Perth metropolitan area within a 45km radius of the central Perth General Post Office is likely to be covered by the Bakers (Metropolitan) Award.

A baker working in a bakery that is more than 45kms from the Perth General Post Office is likely to be covered by the Bakers (Country) Award.

A baker of cakes is likely covered by the Pastrycooks Award.

A barber working in a barber shop is likely to be covered by the Hairdressers Award.

From 1 January 2025, the Hairdressers Award will be amended and renamed the Hair and Beauty Industry (WA) Award.

Find out more about this change to award coverage on Changes to the Hairdressers Award.

A barista working in a cafe or restaurant is likely to be covered by the Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award.

There are several WA awards covering the work of a barperson. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

• Restaurant or Cafe - Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award
• Hotel, Tavern or Small Bar - Hotel and Tavern Workers Award
• Motel - Motel, Hostel, Service Flats and Boarding House Workers Award
• Licensed Club (e.g. a sporting club) - Club Workers Award

A beauty therapist is currently likely to be award free. However, from 1 January 2025, beauty salons in the state industrial relations system will be covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry (WA) Award.

Find out more about this change to award coverage on Changes to the Hairdressers Award

A bee keeper is likely to be covered by the Farm Employees Award.

A bicycle mechanic is likely to be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award.

A boilermaker is likely to be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award. 

A bottle shop attendant working in a bottle shop that is not attached to a tavern or hotel is likely to be covered by the Licensed Establishments (Retail and Wholesale) Award.

A bottle shop attendant working in a bottle shop that is attached to a tavern or hotel is likely to be covered by the Hotel and Tavern Workers Award.

A bricklayer employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work done not on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply. 

An adult builder's labourer employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. 

A junior employee (under 21 years of age) working as a builder's labourer will be Award free unless the consent of the union to engage a junior employee under the award has been obtained.

For work done not on a construction site, an adult builder's labourer may be covered by the Building Trades Award. A junior employee (under 21 years of age) working as a builder's labourer will be Award free.  

A butcher working in a retail butcher's shop is likely to be covered by the Meat Industry Award. 

A cabinet maker or installer is likely to be covered by Furniture Trades Industry Award.

A cake decorator or baker is likely covered by the Pastrycooks Award.

Carers or support workers employed directly by a household employer (e.g. the householder or a family member) to provide care for person with a disability or an elderly person in a private home are likely to be award free – Visit Domestic and support workers employed by household employers and view the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

Carers or support workers employed by an organisation or a business to provide aged or disability care in a private home are likely to be award free - View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary. 

A carpenter employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work done not on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply. 

There are several WA awards covering the work of a chef, cook or kitchenhand. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

• Restaurant, cafe, lunch bar, or fast food outlet* - Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award
• * Fast food businesses in the state system trading as: Red Rooster, Pizza Hut, Hungry Jacks, KFC, Chicken Treat, Chooks Fresh and Tasty, McDonalds, Subway or Heros Pizza are covered by the Fast Food Outlets Award
• Hotel - Hotel and Tavern Workers Award
• Motel - Motel, Hostel, Service Flats and Boarding House Workers Award
• Licensed Club - Club Workers Award
• Catering Contractor - Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award

• Children's Services (Private) Award if the child care centre is a private centre and does not receive recurrent funding from the State or Federal Government.
• Child Care (Subsidised Centres) Award if the child care centre receives recurrent government funding from the State or Federal Government (links to the WA Industrial Relations Commission website).
• Child Care (Out of School Care - Playleaders) Award if the centre is an out of school care centre (links to the WA Industrial Relations Commission website).
• Child care employee employed directly by a household employer in a private home are likely to be award free. View Domestic and support workers employed by household employers and the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

There are several WA awards covering the work of a cleaner. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

• Cleaning company - Contract Cleaners Award
• Hotel - Hotel and Tavern Workers Award
• Household employer - employee is employed directly by the home owner/occupier in a private home  Cleaners and Caretakers Award. Visit Domestic and support workers employed by household employers for more information.
• Motel - Motel, Hostel, Service Flats and Boarding House Workers Award
• Caravan park - Cleaners and Caretakers (Car and Caravan Parks) Award
• Child care centre (private) - Children's Services (Private) Award
• Child care centre (government funded) - Children's Services (Subsidised Centres) Award
• Otherwise - Cleaners and Caretakers Award.

See Receptionist / clerical employee below.

Employees doing clothing alterations or working as tailor are likely to be covered by the Clothing Trades Award.

A coach is likely to be to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

Employees working in IT are generally award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary. 

A counterhand employed in a lunch bar, cafe or fast food outlet* is likely to be covered by the Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award.

* Fast food businesses in the state system trading as: Red Rooster, Pizza Hut, Hungry Jacks, KFC, Chicken Treat, Chooks Fresh and Tasty, McDonalds, Subway or Heros Pizza are covered by the Fast Food Outlets Award.

An employee working in a crocodile park (except those performing veterinary duties) is likely to be to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A dance teacher is likely to be to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A dental assistant is likely to be covered by the Dental Technicians and Attendant/Receptionists Award.

A dental hygienist is likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A dental nurse is likely to be covered by the Dental Technicians and Attendant/Receptionists Award if they have obtained a Cert III or IV qualification.

A registered general nurse or registered dental nurse with university degree qualifications would likely be covered by the Nurses (Dentists Surgeries) Award.

A dental assistant is likely to be covered by the Dental Technicians and Attendant/Receptionists Award.

A dental technician is likely to be covered by the Dental Technicians and Attendant/Receptionists Award.

A dog or pet groomer is likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

There are several WA awards covering the work of a driver or driver assistant. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

• Drivers of a mobile food van are likely to be covered by the Transport Workers (General) Award.
• Bus drivers are likely to be covered by the Transport Workers (Passenger Vehicles) Award. Bus drivers working for specific businesses north of the 26th parallel are likely to be covered by the Transport Workers (North West Passenger Vehicles) Award.
• Drivers and driver assistants employed in the road and distribution industry are likely to be covered by the Transport Workers (General) Award.
• Taxi /private transport drivers are likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

The WA award which applies to an electrician depends on the type of business:

• Electrical contracting (i.e. installation, repairing or testing) - Electrical Contracting Industry Award
• Manufacturing or on a construction site (not for a contractor)  - Metal Trades (General) Award.

An events coordinator is likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

Employees working as event staff or crew (e.g. setting up, packing down or working as ushers) are likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

Security staff working at an event are likely to be covered by the Security Officers Award.

Catering and wait staff working at an event are likely to be covered by the Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award.

Cleaners employed directly by the event organiser to work at an event are likely to be covered by the Cleaners and Caretakers Award.

Cleaners employed by a contract cleaning company contracted for an event are likely to be covered by the Contract Cleaners Award.

A farm worker in the farming industry is likely to be covered by the Farm Employees Award, if the work is in relation to:

• the management, breeding, rearing or grazing of livestock livestock (including livestock for milk production) or poultry, with livestock defined to include all animals used in primary production including fish, crustaceans and insects
• the shearing and crutching of sheep and the classing and pressing of wool on farms
• hatchery work
• the sowing, raising or harvesting of broadacre field crops and other crops grown as part of a broadacre mixed farming enterprise
• the treatment of land for any of these purposes and clearing, fencing, well sinking, dam sinking or trenching on such farms or properties.

Note: this does not apply to employees working in a market garden.

An employee working in a fish and chip shop preparing food or serving customers is likely to be covered by the Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award. 

An employee working in a florist shop is likely to be covered by the Shop and Warehouse (Wholesale and Retail Establishments) Award.

A fruit picker or packer employed on an orchard or in a processing plant or shed is likely to be covered by the Fruit Growing and Fruit Packing Industry Award.

A furniture removalist is likely to be covered by the Transport Workers (General) Award.

Employees working as garage door installers/repairers may potentially be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award if the role is dealing with / working with metal.

Otherwise they are likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A gasfitter on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work done not on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply. 

A glazier employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work done not on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply. 

There are several WA awards covering the work of a guest service worker. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

• Hotels - Hotel and Tavern Workers Award
• Licensed clubs (e.g. a sporting club) - Club Workers Award
• Motels and other accommodation - Motel, Hostel, Service Flats and Boarding House Workers Award.

A gym instructor is likely to be covered by the Health Attendants Award.

A hairdresser employed in a hair salon is likely to be covered by the Hairdressers Award.

From 1 January 2025, the Hairdressers Award will be amended and renamed the Hair and Beauty Industry (WA) Award.

Find out more about this change to award coverage on Changes to the Hairdressers Award.

A receptionist or clerical worker employed in a hair salon is likely to be covered by the Clerks (Commercial, Social and Professional Services) Award.

Employees working as a handyperson are likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

Please note, employees employed as a cleaner, gardener or builder’s labourer are likely to have award coverage which can be found on this page.

A kitchenhand employed in a lunch bar, cafe or roadhouse is likely to be covered by the Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award.

A landscape gardener working in a private sector business is likely to be covered by the Landscape Gardening Industry Award.

A liquor store / bottle shop attendant working in a liquor store that is not attached to a tavern or hotel is likely to be covered by the Licensed Establishments (Retail and Wholesale) Award.

A liquor store / bottle shop attendant working in a liquor store that is attached to a tavern for hotel is likely to be covered by the Hotel and Tavern Workers Award.

A locksmith is likely to be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award.

A machinist in metal fabrication is likely to be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award.

There are several WA awards covering the work of a maitre'd. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

• Restaurant - Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award
• Cafe - Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award
• Hotel - Hotel and Tavern Workers Award
• Motel - Motel, Hostel, Service Flats and Boarding House Workers Award
• Licensed Club (e.g. a sporting club) - Club Workers Award.

A manicurist or nail technician working in a nail salon is currently award free, however from 1 January 2025, nail salons in the state industrial relations system will be covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry (WA) Award.

Find out more about this change to award coverage on Changes to the Hairdressers Award.

A mechanic for an automotive repair shop or working with boats or bicycles is likely to be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award.

A manicurist or nail nail technician is currently award free, however from 1 January 2025, nail salons in the state industrial relations system will be covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry (WA) Award.

Find out more about this change to award coverage on Changes to the Hairdressers Award.

Nanny employed directly by a household employer in a private home is likely to be award free. View Domestic and support workers employed by household employers and the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A natural therapist is likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

• Enrolled nurse or nursing assistant for a private hospital, nursing home or disability association is likely to be covered by the Enrolled Nurses and Nursing Assistants (Private) Award. If employed by an Aboriginal health or medical service they are likely to be covered by the Aboriginal Medical Service Employees Award.
• Enrolled nurse at a doctor’s surgery or clinic is likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary. If employed by an Aboriginal health or medical service they are likely to be covered by the Aboriginal Medical Service Employees Award.
• Registered nurse at a doctor’s surgery or clinic is likely covered by the Nurses (Doctors Surgeries) Award.
• Registered nurse employed by a labour hire business and placed in an aged care facility or residential home is Award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A painter employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. For work that is done not on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply.

A spraypainter is likely to be covered by the Industrial Spraypainting and Sandblasting Award.

Note: The Artworkers Award applies to painters doing mainly artistic work.

A panel beater at a panel beater shop is likely to be covered by the Vehicle Builders Award.

A pharmacist is likely to be covered by the Retail Pharmacists Award.

A pharmacy assistant is covered by the Shop and Warehouse (Wholesale and Retail Establishments) Award.

A photographer and employees working in the photographic industry are likely to be covered by the Photographic Industry Award.

A physiotherapist is likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A worker in a plant / garden nursery would likely be covered by the Horticulture (Nursery) Industry Award.

A plasterer employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. 

For work not on a construction site, the Building Trades Award may apply. 

A plumber employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. 

For work that is not done on a construction site, the Building Trades Award may apply. 

A real estate agent is likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

There are a number of WA awards which apply to clerical and reception staff, and which particular clerks award applies depends on the nature of the business or organisation.

This list includes key types of businesses and organisations, but is not an exhaustive list. If you are unsure of award coverage, please contact Wageline.

A referee working for a sporting club or organisation is likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A remedial massage therapist not working in a gym is likely to be award free.

A remedial massage therapist working in a gym is likely to be covered by the Health Attendants Award.

An employee working as a furniture removalist is likely to be covered by the Transport Workers (General) Award.

A security guard is likely to be covered by the Security Officers Award.

A service station attendant is likely to be covered by the Motor Vehicle (Service Station, Sales Establishments, Rust Prevention and Paint Protection) Industry Award.

Effective from 7 October 2024, an employee working as a shop assistant in a general retail establishment or wholesale establishment is likely be covered by the Shop and Warehouse (Wholesale and Retail Establishments) Award, unless the employee is already covered by another award.

A shop assistant is likely covered by the Shop and Warehouse Award unless they are working in:

• A take away food outlet (such as fish and chips or pizza), which is likely to be covered by the Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award.
• A liquor store/bottle shop not attached to a tavern or hotel is likely to be covered by the Licensed Establishments (Retail and Wholesale) Award. A bottle shop attendant working in a bottle shop that is not attached to a tavern or hotel is likely to be covered by the Licensed Establishments (Retail and Wholesale) Award. A bottle shop attendant working in a bottle shop that is attached to a tavern or hotel is likely to be covered by the Hotel and Tavern Workers Award.
• A stand-alone butcher shop will be covered by the Meat Industry Award.

A spraypainter is likely to be covered by the Industrial Spraypainting and Sandblasting Award.

If working on a farm / stud where the primary purpose is the breeding and rearing of horses likely to be covered by the Farm Employees Award.

If working at a riding stables / equestrian centre where the primary purpose is horse riding lessons or agistment likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A stoneworker or mason working on site in the construction industry is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award.

For work that is not done on a construction site the Building Trades Award may apply.

For work involving monumental masonry the Monumental Masonry Industry Award is likely to apply (links to the WA Industrial Relations Commission website).

• Support workers employed directly by a household employer (e.g. the householder or a family member) to provide care for a person with a disability or an elderly person in a private home are likely to be award free – Visit Domestic and support workers employed by household employers and view the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.
• Support workers or carers employed by an organisation or business to provide aged and disability care in a private home are also likely to be award free - View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A tennis coach is likely to be award free. Visit the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A tiler employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award.

For work that is not done on a construction site, the Building Trades Award may apply.

A roof tiler employed on a construction site is likely to be covered by the Building Trades (Construction) Award. 

For work that is not done on a construction site, the Building Trades Award may apply. 

A tree lopper is likely to be award free. View the Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary.

A trolley collector employed by a trolley collection contractor will be covered by the Contract Cleaners Award.

A veterinary nurse is likely to be covered by the Animal Welfare Award.

Grape harvesting or other vineyard work is likely to be covered by the Wine Industry Award.

There are several WA awards covering the work of wait staff. The award that applies will depend on the type of business:

• Restaurant - Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award
• Cafe - Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award
• Hotel - Hotel and Tavern Workers Award
• Motel - Motel, Hostel, Service Flats and Boarding House Workers Award
• Licensed Club - Club Workers Award
• Catering Contractor - Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award

A welder may be covered by the Metal Trades (General) Award, the Building Trades (Construction) Award or the Building Trades Award.  

A window cleaner employed by a cleaning company is likely to be covered by the Contract Cleaners Award. Otherwise, the Cleaners and Caretakers Award is likely to apply.