Changes to 2019/20 WA State Minimum Wage
October 29, 2026
Author name
The WA Industrial Relations Commission has announced a 2.75% increase to the state minimum wage for the 2019/20 financial year. This increase will apply from 1 July 2019, and will mean that the new WA minimum wage, at $746.90 per week, will still be greater than the national minimum wage, which is to increase to $740.80 per week.
As well as a raise to the state minimum wage, WA award rates will also be raised by 2.75%. Changes to 2019 / 2010 WA State Minimum Wage
The Commission estimates that: “approximately 27,000 employers and over 300,000 employees are likely to be directly or indirectly affected by rises in the minimum wage and minimum award wages.”
Why the increase?
The Commission is required by the Industrial Relations Act 1979 to take a number of factors into consideration when deciding on whether to increase the minimum wage and award rates, including the following:
- Current WA and national economies;
- Needs of low paid workers;
- Capacity for employers to meet any increases;
- The National Minimum Wage decision;
- Need for equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal or comparable value; and
- Any other matters the Commission considers relevant.
After considering these factors and in its decision, the Commission commented that:
“The Western Australian economy is now in the process of improving … and there are signs of growth. However, Western Australia’s economy compares unfavourably with the rest of the national economy, and in that context, the national economy also has its challenges.”
The Commission also noted that: “Sectors of the Western Australian economy where employees are reliant on award increases and the low paid generally are employed, have not yet seen improvements in their profitability or employment growth. Signs of improvement in industries such as mining have not yet flowed to the rest of the economy.”
“A number of factors of particular concern are the spare capacity in the economy and the desire for there to be higher employment, hours worked and other improvements in employment and productivity. The cost of living, measured by Perth Consumer Price Index has increased but only at a low level and low in comparison with other capital cities.”
(The Commission’s full statement and decision can be found at: http://www.wairc.wa.gov.au/index.php/en/latest-news/550-state-minimum-wage-set-at-746-90-per-week)
Is this increase enough?
Not everyone believes that this increase is sufficient to assist low paid workers. Meredith Hammat, Secretary for UnionsWA, commented:
“Today’s decision to increase the WA minimum wage by 2.75% is welcomed however it won’t go far enough to relieve the financial pressure facing working people and their families… It is disappointing that this WA decision is lower than the recent decision to increase the National Minimum Wage by 3%.”
(You can find further comments from Unions WA at: https://www.unionswa.com.au/pay_decision_not_enough_for_living_costs)
How does this effect employers?
If you are an employer paying employees based on these rates, you should be prepared to implement this change from the first full pay period from 1 July 2019. All award rates will be available on the Industrial Relations Commission website and https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/labour-relations.
Please also remember that, as of 1 July 2019:
- The Federal Minimum Wage and award rates will also be increasing; and
- All businesses will be required to adhere to the new single touch payroll reporting system, unless an exemption has been specifically granted.
If you would like further information in relation to how the above matters may affect your business, please contact us on (08) 9321 5451 or by email at brian@bailiwicklegal.com.au
For further information about our legal services, please visit our website: https://www.bailiwicklegal.com.au.
The above information is a summary and overview of the matters discussed. This publication does not constitute legal advice and you should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.
For many growers, the biggest barrier to pursuing a claim is not the legal process itself. It is the relationship. In regional communities, suppliers, agronomists and growers often work together over many years, and many farmers are understandably reluctant to raise concerns if they believe it may damage a valued business relationship. Recent discussions regarding the performance of certain canola varieties have highlighted an important issue for farming businesses: protecting your legal rights does not necessarily mean taking an aggressive approach or ending a long-standing commercial relationship. Where concerns arise about the performance of a seed variety, chemical or other agricultural product, growers are often hesitant to make inquiries or seek compensation because the supplier may be a trusted local business or a person they have dealt with for decades. However, raising legitimate concerns and seeking advice should not be viewed as a personal attack. In many cases, suppliers will notify their insurer as soon as a significant claim is raised. From that point, discussions regarding liability and compensation are often managed by insurers, loss assessors and legal representatives. As a result, a grower may effectively be dealing with an insurance claim rather than a dispute directly with the supplier. That distinction is important. A claim can often be investigated and resolved without permanently damaging an otherwise productive business relationship. At the same time, growers should be aware that not every supplier is insured for every type of loss. Some businesses may not carry insurance that responds to large-scale agricultural claims, while others may not have sufficient coverage where multiple growers are affected. Early advice can therefore be critical in understanding both your legal position and the practical realities of recovery. If you are experiencing concerns regarding crop performance, keep detailed records, retain product packaging, batch information, invoices and correspondence, obtain independent agronomic advice, and seek legal advice before signing any settlement agreement, release or non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Protecting your rights does not have to mean burning bridges. Often, the best outcomes are achieved through early communication, careful investigation and practical resolution. Author: Matilda Lloyd, Associate Director of Bailiwick Legal, assists farming families and agribusinesses throughout Western Australia with commercial disputes and risk management. For assistance with all of your agribusiness needs, contact Bailiwick Legal: West Perth Office on 08 9321 5451 or email office@bailiwicklegal.com.au Bridgetwoen Office on 08 6288 6240 or email bridgetown@bailiwicklegal.com.au For further information about our legal services, please visit our website: https://www.bailiwicklegal.com.au The above information is a summary and overview of the matters discussed. This publication does not constitute legal advice and you should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.
One of the most common concerns we hear from growers experiencing issues with agricultural products is: "I don't want to sue someone I've known for years." In regional communities, business relationships matter. Suppliers, agronomists and growers often work together over many seasons, and many farmers are understandably reluctant to take action if they believe doing so may damage those relationships. However, pursuing a claim does not necessarily mean attacking a long-standing business relationship. In many cases, the supplier will notify its insurer of the claim and the matter will be managed by the insurer and its representatives. Where insurance is available, discussions regarding compensation often proceed through the insurer's claims process rather than as a personal dispute between grower and supplier. For that reason, growers should not assume that raising legitimate concerns about product performance will automatically result in the loss of an important commercial relationship. That said, every situation is different. Some suppliers may not carry insurance for particular losses, and others may not have sufficient insurance coverage to respond to multiple large-scale claims. In those circumstances, early advice can be particularly important, both to preserve evidence and to understand the practical options available. If you believe a seed variety, chemical or other agricultural product has not performed as represented, keep detailed records, obtain independent agronomic advice and seek legal advice before signing any settlement agreement, release or non-disclosure agreement. The earlier advice is obtained, the more options are generally available. Author: Matilda Lloyd, Associate Director of Bailiwick Legal, assists farming families and agribusinesses throughout Western Australia with commercial disputes and risk management. For assistance with all of your agribusiness needs, contact Bailiwick Legal: West Perth Office on 08 9321 5451 or email office@bailiwicklegal.com.au Bridgetwoen Office on 08 6288 6240 or email bridgetown@bailiwicklegal.com.au For further information about our legal services, please visit our website: https://www.bailiwicklegal.com.au The above information is a summary and overview of the matters discussed. This publication does not constitute legal advice and you should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.
Recent concerns regarding the performance of certain canola varieties have attracted significant attention across the Western Australian grain industry. The issue was recently discussed on the ABC WA Country Hour, where Philip Brunner, Director of Bailiwick Legal, commented on the legal issues that may arise when agricultural products fail to perform as expected. Farmers understand that crop performance can be affected by seasonal conditions, rainfall, frost, pests, disease and other factors beyond their control. However, different considerations may arise where a seed, chemical or agricultural product does not perform consistently with the representations made by the supplier at the time of sale. A well-publicised dispute involving John Snooke, a grower from Cunderdin, highlighted these issues when concerns were raised regarding the performance of a herbicide-tolerant canola variety. Following intervention by the WA Department of Consumer Protection, compensation was ultimately paid to affected growers. As input costs continue to increase, growers should be aware that legal protections may be available where a product: Does not match its description; Is not fit for its intended purpose; or Fails to perform in accordance with representations made by the supplier. If a crop is underperforming, growers should retain seed tags, invoices, marketing materials and paddock records, obtain independent agronomic advice and notify the supplier as soon as possible. Early evidence can be critical in assessing whether a legal claim may exist. Importantly, growers should not sign any settlement agreement, release or non-disclosure agreement (NDA) without first obtaining independent legal advice. These documents may limit future rights or prevent growers from discussing the issue with others who may be similarly affected. Author: Matilda Lloyd, Associate Director of Bailiwick Legal, assists farming families and agribusinesses throughout Western Australia with commercial disputes and risk management. For assistance with all of your agribusiness needs, contact Bailiwick Legal: West Perth Office on 08 9321 5451 or email office@bailiwicklegal.com.au Bridgetwoen Office on 08 6288 6240 or email bridgetown@bailiwicklegal.com.au For further information about our legal services, please visit our website: https://www.bailiwicklegal.com.au The above information is a summary and overview of the matters discussed. This publication does not constitute legal advice and you should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.
