Employers and employees covered by eight state clerical awards are now covered under the new Clerks - Private Sector (WA) Award from 4 November 2026.
This new WA award is based on the Clerks (Commercial, Social and Professional Services) Award. The award’s scope has been expanded and changes to some provisions have been made to incorporate employees covered by the following state awards:
- Clerks (Accountants Employees) Award
- Clerks (Bailiffs Employees) Award
- Clerks (Commercial, Social and Professional Services) Award
- Clerks (Customs and/or Shipping and/or Forwarding Agents) Award
- Clerks (Hotels, Motels and Clubs) Award
- Clerks (Racing Industry - Betting) Award
- Clerks (Timber) Award
- Clerks (Wholesale & Retail Establishments) Award
The previous WA award summaries for the Clerks (Commercial, Social and Professional Services) Award, Clerks (Accountants Employees) Award, Clerks (Hotels, Motels and Clubs) Award and Clerks (Wholesale and Retail Establishments) Award outline the pay rates and entitlements that applied for employees under those awards until 3 November 2026. Historical versions of the WA award summaries will remain on the department’s website for six years.
The new Clerks – Private Sector (WA) Award does not apply to the following types employees, who are covered by another WA award:
- Reception/clerical staff working in a dental surgery - likely covered by the Dental Technicians and Attendants/Receptionists Award
- Clerical staff working in the crisis assistance and supported housing industry or the social and community services industry – likely covered by the Crisis Assistance, Supported Housing Industry Award or the Social and Community Services Industry Award.
- Clerical staff covered by the Clerks (Unions and Labor Movement) Award available on the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission website.
The new Clerks – Private Sector (WA) Award summary is now available to help employers and employees prepare for this change.
