Cook Government Backs Real Wage Hike for WA’s Low-Paid
The Cook Labor Government has welcomed today’s decision by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) to increase the State minimum wage and State award wages in this year’s State Wage Case.
The new State minimum wage for employers and employees in the State industrial relations system will be $953.00 a week from 1 July 2025.
The decision of the WAIRC to grant a 3.75 per cent increase follows the decision earlier this month by the Fair Work Commission to increase minimum and award pay rates for national system employees by 3.5 per cent.
In delivering a slightly higher increase for State system employees, the WAIRC took into account the relative strength of the local economy and labour market.
This increase will benefit low paid workers in the State industrial relations system, with private sector employees covered by the State system comprising up to 20 per cent of the Western Australian workforce.
As stated by Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk:
“Western Australia remains the strongest economy in the nation, with a booming domestic economy fostering strong employment growth, low unemployment and solid household spending.
“While the State’s economy remains buoyant, the Cook Labor Government knows many employees being paid minimum or award wages still face cost-of-living challenges, and we are very pleased to see the WA Industrial Relations Commission’s decision provides a real wage increase.
“The WAIRC’s decision to award a 3.75 per cent increase will help low-paid and award-reliant employees meet their everyday needs, and ensure a system of fair wages and conditions of employment is maintained in Western Australia.”
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/Cook-Government-welcomes-real-wage-increase-for-low-paid-workers-in-WA-20250612