State system employers and employees in the timber industry will be covered under one of the following new awards - the Timber Industry (CFMEU) State Award or the Timber Industry (AWU) State Award.
The award coverage is split between the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union of Workers (CFMEU) and the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU).
The Timber Industry (AWU) State Award will apply in the South West Land Division excluding the area within a 45 kilometre radius of the Perth GPO, and the Timber Industry (CFMEU) State Award will apply in all other parts of Western Australia.
The Timber Industry (CFMEU) State Award is based on the current Timber Yard Workers. The award’s scope has been expanded and changes to some provisions have been made to incorporate employees currently covered by the following state awards:
- Particle Board Employees’ Award, 1964;
- Plywood and Veneer Workers’ Award, 1952;
- Saw Servicing Establishments Award No. 17 of 1977; and
- Case and Box Makers’ Award, 1952.
The Timber Industry (AWU) State Award is based on the current Timber Workers Award. The award’s scope has been expanded and changes to some provisions have been made to incorporate employees currently covered by the following state awards:
- Plywood and Veneer Workers Award No. 28 of 1981; and
- Particle Board Industry Award No. 10 of 1978.
The key changes to provisions in both awards include:
- modernising classification structures and updating applicable rates of pay;
- updating conditions for apprenticeships, traineeships and supported wages employees;
- modernising the allowance provisions so that most allowances become self-updating;
- updating conditions relating to hours of duty, overtime and penalty rates;
- removing outdated provisions; and
- ensuring the awards do not contain conditions below the minimum standards in the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993..
The updated awards will become available on the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission website after 1 July 2026.
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