Private sector employers and employees
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Pay rates for trainees
This information is only relevant to employers and employees in the WA state industrial relations system.
About this page
- This page outlines how to find the correct pay rates for state system employees who are undertaking a traineeship registered with the Apprenticeship Office at the Department of Training and Workforce Development.
- On this page these employees are called registered trainees.
- If the employee is undertaking an apprenticeship, please visit the Pay rates for apprentices page.
Where an employee is new to, or learning a job, but is not a registered trainee, they must be paid the relevant WA award rate of pay for the work that they are doing, or the minimum rate of pay if the employee is award free. Such employees may be referred to in many businesses as ‘trainees’ but if they are not registered trainees the pay rates and employment arrangements discussed on this page do not apply.
About traineeships
Traineeships can be undertaken on a full time, part time or school-based basis. Casual workers are not eligible to enter into a training contract for a traineeship.
An employer is required to pay a registered trainee for time spent at TAFE (or other off the job training) as normal working hours. An employer is not required to pay TAFE fees on behalf of the registered trainee.
The Apprenticeship Office at the Department of Training and Workforce development can provide information about:
- assessment and registration of a training contract
- obligations under a training contract
- completion of a training contract
- variations to a training contract (including cancellation, suspension or termination of the contract)
Arrangements in WA awards for registered trainees
In the state industrial relations system, WA awards cover many industries and occupations. Wageline has WA award summaries of the most common WA awards. There is a variety of ways in which pay rates and employment entitlements are set for registered trainees working in industries or occupations normally covered by a WA award.
WA awards that contain pay rates for trainees
Some WA awards detail specific pay rates for registered trainees covered by that WA award. In this circumstance, registered trainees must be paid the rates in the relevant WA award and are covered by the other provisions of the WA award, including working hours, penalty rates, allowances and leave entitlements, as appropriate.
For example – the Farm Employees Award has a traineeships clause that lists the minimum pay rates that apply to a registered trainee. All the other provisions of the Farm Employees Award also cover registered trainees working in businesses covered by that WA award.
Key WA awards in this category are:
- Farm Employees Award
- Food Industry (Food Manufacturing or Processing) Award
- Furniture Trades Industry Award
- Licensed Establishments (Retail and Wholesale) Award
- Metal Trades (General) Award
- Motor Vehicle (Service Station, Sales Establishments, Rust Prevention and Paint Protection) Industry Award
- Printing Award
- Sheet Metal Workers’ Award
- Soft Furnishings Award
- Vehicle Builders' Award
WA awards that refer to the obsolete National Training Wage Award
Some WA awards refer to the training provisions in an obsolete federal award called the National Training Wage Award. Registered trainees under these WA awards must be paid the minimum adult or junior rates for registered trainees as outlined below, and are covered by all other provisions of the relevant WA award including working hours, penalty rates, allowances and leave entitlements. For example, registered trainees working under the Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award are entitled to the pay rates for award free registered trainees and the working hours, allowances, leave entitlements and other provisions of that WA award.
The private sector WA awards in this category are:
- Aboriginal Communities and Organisations Western Australian Interim Award
- Animal Welfare Industry Award
- Children’s Services (Private) Award
- Club Workers Award
- Dry Cleaning and Laundry Award
- Hotel and Tavern Workers Award
- Laundry Workers Award
- Motel, Hostel, Service Flats and Boarding House Workers Award
- Pest Control Industry Award
- Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award
- Shearing Contractors Award
WA awards that have no classifications for registered trainees
Some WA awards have no job classification for a registered trainee, and therefore a registered trainee in this industry or occupation is not covered by the WA award and is award free.
For example, the Hairdressers Award does not cover employees undertaking a registered traineeship in hairdressing as there is no job classification for registered trainees under this WA award, and therefore registered trainees in that industry are award free.
Award free registered trainees are entitled to the minimum rates for relevant adult or junior award free registered trainees (as outlined below), and are entitled to annual leave, personal leave and other leave and employment entitlements that apply to award free employees. The Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary provides an overview of employment conditions for award free employees.
Contact Wageline for information if you are unsure which category is appropriate for a particular traineeship.
Award free registered trainees
All registered trainees working in industries or occupations that are award free (not covered by a WA award) are entitled to the minimum pay rates for registered trainees. For example, a registered trainee working in a beauty salon is award free, and the rate of pay for this registered trainee will be the relevant minimum rate of pay for a registered trainee.
The relevant minimum pay rate is based on the Industry/Skill Level of the traineeship being undertaken, and if the employee is a junior employee (under 21 years of age) the highest level of schooling the registered trainee has completed, and how long they have been out of school.
The minimum pay rates for registered trainees are outlined below. Award free registered trainees are entitled to annual leave, personal leave and other leave and employment entitlements that apply to award free employees. The Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary provides an overview of employment conditions for award free employees.
Minimum pay rates for registered trainees
The minimum pay rates for registered trainees apply to all registered trainees who are award free (not covered by a WA award), and to some WA award registered trainees, as outlined above.
The minimum pay rates for registered trainees are based on the Industry/Skill Level of the traineeship being undertaken, and if the employee is a junior employee (under 21 years of age) the highest level of schooling the registered trainee has completed, and how long they have been out of school.
Minimum pay rate tables for registered trainees are provided below for each of the three Industry/ Skill Levels A, B and C. The appropriate Industry/Skill Level for a traineeship can be found by matching the first three letters of the National Qualification Code and the AQF Certificate Level of the employee’s traineeship (found in the Traineeship Details section on the trainee’s Training Contract) with the Level A, B or C section of the Industry/Skill level in the Industry Skills List.
Registered trainees who are undertaking qualifications at AQF IV level must be paid an additional 3.8% loading on the applicable rate.
On 12 June 2024 the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) issued the 2024 State Wage Case decision increasing the minimum rates of pay from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024. The details of the decision are on the State Wage Case decision page and the rates on this page have been updated to reflect the new rates.
Minimum pay rates for full time registered trainees
Adult full time trainees - applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024
A registered trainee who has reached 21 years of age must be paid the following weekly rates of pay:
| Industry/Skill Level | Weekly rate (for 38 hours) |
|---|---|
| A | $704.00 |
| B | $682.00 |
| C | $628.00 |
Registered trainees who are undertaking qualifications at AQF IV level must be paid an additional 3.8% loading on the applicable rate.
Junior full time trainees - applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024
A junior registered trainee (under 21 years of age) must be paid the following weekly rates of pay:
| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| school leaver | $311.00 | $370.00 | $454.00 |
| plus 1 year out of school | $370.00 | $454.00 | $525.00 |
| plus 2 years | $454.00 | $525.00 | $617.00 |
| plus 3 years | $525.00 | $617.00 | $704.00 |
| plus 4 years | $617.00 | $704.00 | |
| plus 5 years or more | $704.00 |
| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| school leaver | $311.00 | $370.00 | $445.00 |
| plus 1 year out of school | $370.00 | $445.00 | $508.00 |
| plus 2 years | $445.00 | $508.00 | $598.00 |
| plus 3 years | $508.00 | $598.00 | $682.00 |
| plus 4 years | $598.00 | $682.00 | |
| plus 5 years or more | $682.00 |
| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| school leaver | $311.00 | $370.00 | $443.00 |
| plus 1 year out of school | $370.00 | $443.00 | $498.00 |
| plus 2 years | $443.00 | $498.00 | $560.00 |
| plus 3 years | $498.00 | $560.00 | $628.00 |
| plus 4 years | $560.00 | $628.00 | |
| plus 5 years or more | $628.00 |
Registered trainees who are undertaking qualifications at AQF IV level must be paid an additional 3.8% loading on the applicable rate.
Minimum pay rates for part time registered trainees
Adult part time trainees - applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024
A part time registered trainee who has reached 21 years of age must be paid the following weekly rates of pay:
| Industry/Skill Level | Hourly pay rate |
|---|---|
| A | $18.53 |
| B | $17.95 |
| C | $16.53 |
Registered trainees who are undertaking qualifications at AQF IV level must be paid an additional 3.8% loading on the applicable rate.
Junior part time trainees - applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024
A part time junior registered trainee (under 21 years of age) must be paid the following weekly rates of pay:
| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| school leaver | $8.18 | $9.74 | $11.95 |
| plus 1 year out of school | $9.74 | $11.95 | $13.82 |
| plus 2 years | $11.95 | $13.82 | $16.24 |
| plus 3 years | $13.82 | $16.24 | $18.53 |
| plus 4 years | $16.24 | $18.53 | |
| plus 5 years or more | $18.53 |
| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| school leaver | $8.18 | $9.74 | $11.71 |
| plus 1 year out of school | $9.74 | $11.71 | $13.37 |
| plus 2 years | $11.71 | $13.37 | $15.74 |
| plus 3 years | $13.37 | $15.74 | $17.95 |
| plus 4 years | $15.74 | $17.95 | |
| plus 5 years or more | $17.95 |
| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| school leaver | $8.18 | $9.74 | $11.66 |
| plus 1 year out of school | $9.74 | $11.66 | $13.11 |
| plus 2 years | $11.66 | $13.11 | $14.74 |
| plus 3 years | $13.11 | $14.74 | $16.53 |
| plus 4 years | $14.74 | $16.53 | |
| plus 5 years or more | $16.53 |
Registered trainees who are undertaking qualifications at AQF IV level must be paid an additional 3.8% loading on the applicable rate.
Pay rates for school based registered trainees
School based trainees - applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024
| Industry/Skill Level | Current year of schooling | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 11 or lower | Year 12 | |
| A | $9.74 | $11.95 |
| B | $9.74 | $11.71 |
| C | $9.74 | $11.66 |
Registered trainees who are undertaking qualifications at AQF IV level must be paid an additional 3.8% loading on the applicable rate.
Industry/Skill Level list
The appropriate Industry/Skill Level for a traineeship can be found by matching the first three letters of the National Qualification Code and the AQF Certificate Level of the employee’s traineeship (found in the Traineeship Details section on the trainee’s Training Contract) with the Level A, B or C section of the Industry/Skill level in the Industry Skills List.
Industry/Skill Level A
| Code | Training Package Title | AQF Certificate Level |
|---|---|---|
| MEA | Aeroskills | II, Diploma |
| AVI | Aviation | II, III |
| BSB | Business Services | II, III, IV, Diploma |
| PMA | Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining | II, III, IV, Diploma |
| CHC | Community Services | II, III, IV, Diploma |
| CPC | Construction, Plumbing and Services | II, III, IV |
| CSC | Correctional Services | III, IV |
| UEP | Electricity Supply Industry - Generation Sector | II, III, IV, Diploma |
| UEE | Electrotechnology |
II, IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma |
| FNS | Financial Services | II, III, IV, Diploma |
| SFL | Floristry | III, IV |
| FBP | Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical | III, IV |
| UEG | Gas Industry |
IV, Diploma |
| SHB | Hairdressing and Beauty Services | III, IV, Diploma |
| ICT | Information and Communications Technology | II, III, IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma |
| MSL | Laboratory Operations | II, III, IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma |
| LGA | Local Government (other than Operational Works Certificate II) | II, III |
| MSA07 | Manufacturing | Diploma, Advanced Diploma |
| MSM | Manufacturing | II, III |
| MAR | Maritime | II, III |
| MEM | Metal and Engineering / Manufacturing and Engineering (Technical) | II, III, IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma |
| NWP | National Water | III, IV |
| PMB | Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking | III, IV |
| PSP | Public Sector | II, III, IV, Diploma |
| RII | Resources and Infrastructure Industry | II, III, IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma |
| SIR | Retail Services | III, IV |
| MSS | Sustainability | III, IV, Diploma |
| MST | Textiles, Clothing and Footwear | III, IV |
| SIT | Tourism, Travel and Hospitality | II, III, IV, Diploma |
| UET | Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector | II, Diploma, Advanced Diploma |
| TLI | Transport and Logistics | III, IV, Diploma |
*The training package code is the first three letters of the traineeship qualification (the National Qualification Code) as recorded in the Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Contract, for example SHB30121 Certificate III in Beauty Services.
Industry/Skill Level B
| Code | Training Package | AQF Certificate Level |
|---|---|---|
| ACM | Animal Care and Management | II, III, IV |
| AMP | Australian Meat Processing | II, III, IV, Diploma |
| AUR | Automotive Retail, Service and Repair | II, III, IV, Diploma |
| AUM | Automotive Manufacturing | III |
| CUA | Creative Arts and Culture | II, III, IV |
| SFL | Floristry | II |
| FBP | Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical | II |
| FWP | Forest and Wood Products | II, III, IV |
| MSF | Furnishing | II, III, IV |
| UEG | Gas Industry | II |
| SHB | Hairdressing and Beauty Services | II |
| HLT | Health | II, III, IV, Diploma |
| LGA | Local Government (Operational Works) | II, III |
| MEM | Metal and Engineering / Manufacturing and Engineering (Production) | II, III, Diploma, Advanced Diploma |
| NWP | National Water | II |
| PMB | Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking | II |
| ICP | Printing and Graphic Arts | II, III |
| CPP | Property Services | II, III, IV, Diploma |
| RII | Resources and Infrastructure Industry | I |
| SIR | Retail Services | II |
| SIS | Sport, Fitness and Recreation | II, III, IV |
| MST | Textiles, Clothing and Footwear | II |
| TLI | Transport and Logistics | II |
*The training package code is the first three letters of the traineeship qualification (the National Qualification Code) as recorded in the Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Contract, for example SHB30121 Certificate III in Beauty Services
Industry/Skill Level C
| Code | Training Package | AQF Certificate Level |
|---|---|---|
| AHC | Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management | II, III, IV |
| SIF | Funeral Services | III, IV |
| RGR | Racing and Breeding | II, III, IV |
| SFI | Seafood Industry | II, III, IV |
*The training package code is the first three letters of the traineeship qualification (the National Qualification Code) as recorded in the Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Contract, for example SHB30121 Certificate III in Beauty Services
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