As a young worker, starting your career is an exciting time and knowing your employment rights and where to find the right information is very important to check you are getting paid correctly.
The first step in understanding your employment rights is to work out which system covers your employment. Two systems of employment law operate for the private sector in Western Australia:
- the state industrial relations system; and
- the national fair work system
Find out which system covers your employment
Information for state system employees
If you are covered by the state industrial relations system, Finding the right pay rate will help you work out if a WA award applies to your job and what pay rates apply.
Other handy employment information links are:
• Hours of work
• Annual leave
• Personal leave
Making an underpayment complaint outlines the steps you can take if you think you have been underpaid wages or entitlements.
Information for national system employees
The Fair Work Ombudsman helps national system employees with pay rates, queries about modern awards, and all leave except long service leave, call 13 13 94.
If you have believe you have been underpaid by a national system employer, you can anonymously report a wage theft / underpayment issue to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
When children can work in WA
Laws restrict the types of jobs and where young people 15 years and under can work, along with the hours they can work.
Information on when children can work
Wageline resources
Our explainer video series are a resource which can help you to understand your employment rights under state employment laws.
Watch our employment explainer videos
To keep updated with information and updates on state employment laws, including minimum pay rates, public holidays and changes to WA award changes and conditions:
Where else to get help
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Below are links to other agency websites.
Apprenticeships, traineeships, workplace skills and development
Visit Jobs & Skills WA for careers and training advice and assistance.
The Apprenticeship Office at the Department of Training and Workforce Development can help young workers with information relating to vocational education and training (VET), workforce development and apprenticeship and traineeship contracts.
Workplace Health and Safety
For workplace health and safety tips or to report a workplace incident, visit WorkSafe
