New WA award pay rates and State Minimum Wage now apply.
The State Minimum Wage for employees 21 and over has increased by 4.75% to $998.30 per week. Minimum rates for younger workers and award free trainees and apprentices have also increased. All rates of pay in WA awards have also increased by 4.75%.
Employees are entitled to the new rates from the beginning of their first pay period that starts on or after 1 July 2026. As outlined on Annual pay increases from the State Wage Case the exact date that the minimum wage or award rate increase will apply to specific employers and employees is based around the specific business’s pay period.
The 1 July 2026 pay rates for award free employees are available on Minimum pay rates for award free employees .
For employees covered by an award, the WA award summaries have been updated to reflect the new pay rates.
This pay increase only applies to employers and employees in the state industrial relations system. It covers businesses and organisations which operate as:
- sole traders
- unincorporated partnerships
- unincorporated trust arrangements
- incorporated associations that are not trading or financial corporations and other not-for-profit organisations that are not trading or financial corporations
Visit Which system of employment law applies for more information.
If your business or organisation is in the national industrial relations system, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website for information on pay rate increases.
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