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Metal Trades (General) WA Award Part 1 – General
Summary
Things to check as an employee or employer include:
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 Pay rates
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 Employment of children
 Allowances
 Overtime rates
 Public holidays
 Meal breaks
 Leave entitlements
 Dismissal laws and entitlements due on termination
 Time and wages record keeping
 Laws relating to taxation, superannuation, workers compensation, discrimination and
occupational health and safety
This award summary outlines only the most common entitlements within the Western Australian
state system of industrial relations under the Metal Trades (General) Award Part 1 – General.
It applies only to sole traders and partnerships. If the business is a Pty Ltd company, it does not
apply. If you are unsure contact Wageline on 1300 655 266.
To access the full version of the award, which details all entitlements and obligations, visit
www.wairc.wa.gov.au.
Adult wages – apply as of the first pay period on or after 1 July 2015
Classification
Weekly
Hourly
Casual 25%
loading
Level C14
Level C13
Level C12
Level C11
Level C10
Level C9
Level C8
Level C7
Level C6
Level C5
$679.90
$697.50
$721.30
$743.40
$778.90
$801.00
$822.90
$842.90
$886.90
$909.00
$17.89
$18.36
$18.98
$19.56
$20.50
$21.08
$21.66
$22.18
$23.34
$23.92
$22.36
$22.95
$23.73
$24.45
$25.63
$26.35
$27.08
$27.73
$29.18
$29.90
Tools *
$17.10
$17.10
$17.10
$17.10
$17.10
$17.10
(Level C10 now includes auto electrical fitters, motor mechanics, and motor cycle mechanics)
* Tool allowance is paid if tools are not provided by the employer. This allowance shall be included
in, and form part of the ordinary weekly wages prescribed by this award. The tool allowance
increased as of the first pay period on or after 5 November 2015.
1
Apprentice wages – apply as of the first pay period on or after 1 July
2015
It always pays to call
4 YEAR
TERM
3.5 YEAR
TERM
1st Yr
2nd Yr
3rd Yr
4th Yr
0-6 mths
7-18 mths
19-30 mths
31-42 mths
3 YEAR
TERM
% of
C10
WEEKLY
1st Yr
2nd Yr
3rd Yr
42%
55%
75%
88%
$327.10
$428.40
$584.20
$685.40
HOURLY
TOOLS *
$8.61
$7.18
$11.27
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$15.37
$12.83
$18.04
$15.05
Adult apprentices
Apprentices aged 21 and above receive the minimum adult wage of $584.20 per week or the
prescribed apprenticeship rate, whichever is the higher, for ordinary hours of work.
Junior wages – apply as of the first pay period on or after 1 July 2015
Age
Under 16 years
16 years of age
17 years of age
18 years of age
19 years of age
20 years of age
% of
c14
40%
50%
60%
70%
% of C13
78.5%
93%
Casual
Weekly
Hourly
$272.00
$340.00
$408.00
$476.00
$7.16
$8.95
$10.74
$12.53
$8.95
$11.19
$13.43
$15.65
$547.50
$648.70
$14.41
$17.07
$18.01
$21.34
25% loading
Where rates of pay under this award, fall below those prescribed by the Minimum Award Wage
General Order, the legally required rate of pay is that which is listed in the General Order, not the
award.
Employment of children
Under the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it is illegal to employ children under the
age of 15 in this industry.
Exemptions may apply to children working in a family business where the business is carried out
by a parent or relative of the child, in a not-for-profit organisation or when they are participating in a
school program.
School aged children must not be employed during school hours, unless they are participating in a
school program or have received an exemption from the Department of Education.
A child under 18 must not be employed in a job that jeopardises their wellbeing.
Please contact Wageline on 1300 655 266 or visit the Commerce website at When Can Children
Work? for employers, or Young Workers for employees for more information.
2
Allowances
Leading hand allowance – increased as of the first pay period on or after 5 November 2015
In addition to the appropriate total weekly wage prescribed by this award a leading hand shall be
It always pays to call
paid the following, if placed in charge of:
Not less than 3 nor more than 10 other workers
More than 10 and not more than 20 other workers
More than 20 other workers
$31.20
$47.70
$61.70
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Meal allowance – increased as of the first pay period on or after 5 November
2015to call
An employee required to work overtime for more than two hours, without notification the previous
day or earlier, shall be supplied with a meal by the employer or be paid $13.15 for a meal and, if
owing to the amount of overtime worked, a second or subsequent meal is required, the employee
shall be supplied with each such meal by the employer or be paid $8.95 for each meal so required.
Location allowance
An employee working in a specified regional area is entitled to a weekly location allowance. Please
contact Wageline on 1300 655 266 or see the full version of the award at www.wairc.wa.gov.au.
Hours and overtime
Ordinary hours
The ordinary hours of work for employees, other than continuous shift employees, shall be:
 An average of 38 hours a week; and
 Worked Monday to Friday between 6:00am and 6:00pm; and
 Not more than 8 hours on any day, except where the employer and the majority of
employees in the plant, section or sections concerned have so agreed (subject to certain
conditions)
Part-time employees may be engaged to work a constant number of ordinary hours each week
which shall average less than 38 hours per week.
Overtime
All work done beyond the ordinary working hours on any day, Monday to Friday inclusive, shall be
deemed overtime and shall paid for at the rate of time and one half for the first two hours and
double time thereafter. When overtime is calculated, each day shall stand alone but when an
employee works overtime which continues beyond midnight any day, the time worked after
midnight shall be deemed to be part of the previous day's work for the purposes of overtime
calculation.
A part-time employee who works in excess of the hours fixed under the contract of employment
shall be paid overtime in accordance with the award.
Different ordinary hours and overtime provisions apply to shift employees, please contact
Wageline on 1300 655 266 to ensure the correct overtime rates are paid.
Weekend work
All work performed on Saturday up to 12:00 noon is paid for at the rate of time and one half for the
first two hours and double time after that. All work performed on Saturday after 12:00 noon or on
Sundays shall be paid for at the rate of double time.
Public holidays
The public holidays specified in the award must be allowed as holidays without deduction of pay for
the permanent employees. Work performed on public holidays shall be paid for at the rate of
double time and one half.
To view public holiday dates visit our website www.commerce.wa.gov.au/labourrelations.
3
Meal breaks
Each worker is entitled to a meal break which shall not exceed one hour after no more than five
hours work. An employee who is required to postpone their meal break for more than half an hour
shall be paid at overtime rates until released for a meal. However, where
an agreement
exists
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pays to call
between the employer and majority of the employees at a site or section, employees can work up
to six hours without a meal break at ordinary rates of pay. In addition, a rest period of up to seven
minutes from the time of ceasing to the time of resuming work shall be allowed each morning,
without deduction of pay.
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Leave entitlements
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The table below outlines the basic leave entitlements for employees covered by this award. For
more information relating to leave entitlements, please contact Wageline on 1300 655 266 or
access a full copy of the award at www.wairc.wa.gov.au.
Type of leave
Annual leave
Personal leave
Bereavement leave
Parental leave
Long service leave
Entitlement
Full-time employees accrue 2.923 hours weekly; this amounts to four
weeks per year (pro rata for part-time) and accumulates year to year.
In addition, a loading of 17.5% applies. For the annual leave
information page visit www.commerce.wa.gov.au/labourrelations.
Full-time employees accrue 1.461 hours weekly; this amounts to 10
days per year (pro-rata for part-time). This can be used for sick leave
or carer’s leave and accumulates year to year. For the personal leave
information page visit www.commerce.wa.gov.au/labourrelations.
Two days per occasion for any employee (including casuals), applies
on the death of a partner, parent, step-parent, grandparent, child,
step-child, grandchild, sibling or any other member of the employee’s
household.
See the parental leave information on the Commerce website or
contact Wageline on 1300 655 266 for details.
In accordance with the Long Service Leave Act 1958, 8.667 weeks
after 10 years’ continuous employment for any employee (including
casuals), and a further 4.333 weeks every subsequent 5 years, with
pro-rata payments due on termination any time after 7 years’
continuous employment. For the long service leave information page
visit www.commerce.wa.gov.au/labourrelations.
If you conduct work in the construction industry please contact My
Leave on 1800 198 196, there may be an entitlement to accrue
portable paid long service leave.
Time and wages recordkeeping
Employers must keep time and wages records which demonstrate that employees have been paid
all entitlements under the relevant award or legislation.
For information about time and wages record keeping, contact Wageline on 1300 655 266 or visit
Record Keeping Requirements on the Commerce website.
Termination
Termination by employer
Full-time and part-time employees may be terminated by the employer giving the employee the
following period of notice (or payment in lieu):
4
Period of continuous service
Period of notice
Not more than 1 year
At leastIt1 always
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1 year but less than 3 years
At least 2 weeks
3 years but less than 5 years
At least 3 weeks
5 years and over
At least 4 weeks
Employees over 45 years of age with two or more years of continuous service at the timeItof
pays to dismissed
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termination shall receive an additional week’s notice. An employee mayalways
be summarily
for gross misconduct, and will only be paid up to the time of dismissal.
For employers the notice provisions of the award must be read in conjunction with the Fair Work
Act 2009, as a greater period of notice may be required.
Termination by employee
Should a full-time or part-time employee wish to terminate their employment, they must provide the
following period of notice:
Period of continuous service
Period of notice
Not more than 1 year
At least 1 week
1 year but less than 3 years
At least 2 weeks
3 years but less than 5 years
At least 3 weeks
5 years and over
At least 4 weeks
Termination of a casual employee
A casual employment contract may be terminated by the giving of at least one hour’s notice (on
either side). Employees who do not provide the required notice as prescribed above, may be liable
to forfeit certain entitlements. Please call Wageline on 1300 655 266 for more information.
Termination of an apprentice
To terminate an apprentice or trainee an employer must apply in writing to the Department of
Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office. For more information, please contact
the Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office (formerly the
Apprenticentre) on 13 19 54. For information relating to notice periods for apprentices, please
contact Wageline on 1300 655 266.
Redundancy
Please contact Wageline on 1300 655 266 for information relating to redundancy.
Other entitlements
The Award also includes:
 Shift and distant work
 Special rates and provisions – applicable to specific working conditions, type of work of
performed and the possession of certificates
 Performance of higher duties
 Special tools and protective clothing
 Stand downs
 Settlement of disputes
 Right of entry
 Construction allowance
5
To access the full version of the award please visit www.wairc.wa.gov.au.
This award summary has only included the most common employee entitlements.
It always pays to call
To minimise the risk of non-compliance with WA employment laws, please contact
Wageline on 1300 655 266 to clarify your understanding of this award summary.
Wageline offers advice and publications to assist employees and employers better
understand their rights and obligations in the workplace.
It
To keep informed and receive practical information on employment
issues,
please
always pays to call
subscribe to Wageline’s email newsletters at
www.commerce.wa.gov.au/labour-relations
Disclaimer: The Department of Commerce has prepared this WA award summary to provide information on pay
rates and major award provisions. It is provided as a general guide only and is not designed to be comprehensive
or to provide legal advice. The Department of Commerce does not accept liability for any claim which may arise
from any person acting on, or refraining from acting on, this information.
6
New
Level
C13
C12
C10
C9
C13
C12
C11
C10
Old Classification
General Engineering Section
Cycle assembler
Process employee
Assembler window frame making
Cycle mechanic
Heat treater – operative
Machinist – second & third class
Motor cycle assembler
Motor vehicle assembler
Weighing instrument mechanic –
sectional licence
Sewing machine assembler & adjuster
Tractor & Agricultural implement
assembler
Viewer
Brass finisher
Examiner
Fitter – refrigeration
Fitter – window frame
Fuel injector or fitter
Locksmith
Machinist – first class
Weighing instrument mechanic – full
licence
Sewing machine mechanic (industrial)
Tradesman
Heat treater
Inspector
Scientific instrument maker
Machinist – first class (tool room)
Patternmaker
Toolmaker
Electrical Section
Battery attendants
Electrical fitter’s assistant
Electrical installer’s assistant
Motor attendant
Process employee
Switchboard attendant
Linesman grade 2 – less than 3 years
experience
Battery fitter
Electrical fitter & /or armature winder
Electrical installer
Linesman grade 1 – not less than 3
years experience
New
Level
C13
C12
C10
C13
C12
C10
C13
C12
C13
C11
C10
C13
7
Old Classification
Welding Section
Welder – third & fourth class
Welder – second
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Welder – first class
Foundry section
Assistant furnace operator
Employee directly assisting
tradesman
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Plate or machine moulder &/or core
always pays to call
maker first year
Shot blast & sand blast dresser –
protected
Tapper out
Annealing stove attendant
Core stove or oven attendant
Dresser &/or fettler and/or grinder
Furnace operator
Plate or machine moulder &/or core
maker there after
Shot blast & sand blast dresser – not
protected
Jobbing coremaker moulder
Wrought Pipe Section
Employee assisting furnace faucet
maker
Employee or tar dip & sand rolling
Faucet maker in charge of furnace
Machine operator in charge of
machine
Pipe building & rounding
Smith Section
Blacksmith’s striker
Hammer driver
Forge furnace operator
Blacksmith or coppersmith
Iron Working & General Section
Assistant furnace operator
Attendant at small rivet or bolt heating
or similar type fires
Bender or iron & steel frames used
for reinforcing concrete
Dresser &/or fettler &/or grinder
Friction saw operator
Lagger – first 18 months experience
Rigger & splicer or scaffolder other
ships & buildings who is so protected
New
C9
C8
C13
C12
C10
C13
C11
C10
C9
C13
C12
C10
C9
Old Classification
Electrical Section (Continued)
Electrician in charge of an electrical
supply undertaking
Electrician special class
Electronics tradesman
Electroplating Section
Wet process operative
Electroplater – second class
Polisher
Electroplater – first class
Boilermaking & Ship Construction
Section
Driller using stationary machines
Driller using portable machines
Tradesman
Boilersmith and/or angle iron smith
Plate setter and frame bender
Tradesman – the greater part of
whose time is occupied in marking
off &/or template marking
Steel Construction Section
(including nut, bolt and spike
Making)
Machinist – second class
Machinist – first class
Tradesman
Tradesman – the greater part of
whose time is occupied in marking
off &/or template marking
New
C12
C9
C12
C9
C13
C14
8
Old Classification
Iron Working & General Section
(Continued)
Boiler (inside)Itcleaner
chipper
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pays
to call
Cold saw operator
Crane driver – overhead cabin
controlled
Crane attendant and dogman
Dresser &/or fettler &/or grinder when
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using a portable machine
always pays to call
Furnace operator
Lagger – thereafter
Painter of iron work (other than coach
Painter & ship painter) – using brush
or spray
Rigger and splicer or scaffolder other
than on ships or building not
Protected from flying shot and sand
Tool material storeman
Rigger & slicer or scaffolder on shops
& building
Industrial Gases Section
Acety lene plant or other gas plant
General process hand
Oxygen plant operator
Industrial instrumentation Section
Instrument Tradesman
Instrument Tradesman - Complex
systems
Instrumentation & Controls tradesman
Tradesman’s Assistant
Labourer