Information on the state and national industrial relations systems

You need to know which system covers your employment for reporting wage theft.

Businesses in Western Australia and their employees are either in the state industrial relations system (state system employers) or the national industrial relations system, based on how the business or organisation is operated.

State system employers are those that are:

  • sole traders (e.g. Jane Smith trading as Jane’s Café)
  • unincorporated partnerships (e.g. Jane and Bob Smith trading as Jane’s Café)
  • unincorporated trust arrangements (Jane and Bob Smith as trustees for Jane’s Café)
  • incorporated associations that are not trading or financial corporations and other not-for-profit organisations that are not trading or financial corporations

National system employers are those that are:

  • Pty Ltd businesses that are trading or financial corporations (e.g. Smith Pty Ltd trading as Jane’s Café)
  • incorporated associations that are trading or financial corporations and other not-for-profit organisations that are trading or financial corporations.

If you are unsure if your employer or former employer is in the state system or national system, we suggest you contact Wageline on 1300 655 266.  Wageline will conduct a business search and in most cases can provide an indication of which system applies.

Last updated: 6 December 2019