The WA Government has reached a milestone under its principles-based 2023 Wages Policy with negotiated settlements reached for more than 183,300 workers including teachers, police officers, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, transport workers, prison officers and public servants.
“This is a significant achievement with improved wage and employment outcomes for more than 183,000 public sector workers under our principles-based Wages Policy,” said Industrial Relations Minister, Simone McGurk.
“This highlights the effectiveness of the Cook Labor Government’s Wages Policy, ensuring we can tailor outcomes that meet the needs of each group while maintaining sustainable and responsible budget management.
“We are now focused on the next round of negotiations and look forward to bargaining in good faith with public sector unions to deliver meaningful improvements tailored to each group.”
Negotiated settlements were reached for 49 agreements. The principles-based Wages Policy is flexible and allows for bargained outcomes with individual public sector unions, prioritising fair but financially sustainable wage increases and conditions.
It also supports the Government’s workforce priorities such as direct and permanent employment and the long-term attraction and retention of skilled workers.
Under the Wages Policy, public sector workers have secured sustainable and fair wage increases and new and improved employment conditions typically relating to regional entitlements, allowances, job security, leave entitlements and union rights.
The Government has retained its principles-based approach for the next round of public sector bargaining, with funding provisioned in the 2026-27 Budget over the forward estimates period to allow for negotiation of new industrial agreements.
