Perth Bylaw Guide - Minimum Wage Phases & Tips

Labor and Employment Western Australia 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

In Perth, Western Australia employers and workers should understand that minimum wage settings and rules about tips are determined by national workplace law and awards rather than by a city bylaw. This guide explains how national minimum wage phases interact with local enforcement pathways relevant to Perth workers and businesses, how tips and gratuities are treated under Australian workplace law, and where to get help locally.

City of Perth does not set minimum wage rates; federal instruments govern pay.

How minimum wage phases apply in Perth

Minimum wage adjustments and staged increases are proclaimed by the Fair Work Commission and implemented across Australia; employers operating in Perth must follow the applicable national minimum wage and any modern award or enterprise agreement that covers their workers. For official guidance on national minimum wages see the Fair Work Ombudsman guidance on minimum wages[1].

Tipped workers and gratuities

There is no separate Perth bylaw setting a tipped worker rate; tipping and gratuities are handled under federal employment law and Fair Work policies. Employers cannot use tips to underpay an employee’s minimum entitlements unless a lawful arrangement exists under the applicable award or agreement. For detail on tipping and gratuities see the Fair Work Ombudsman guidance on tips and gratuities[2].

Tips are discretionary and do not replace legally required pay unless expressly permitted by an award or agreement.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of minimum wage and related pay obligations for workplaces in Perth is carried out under Commonwealth workplace law. The City of Perth does not issue fines for minimum wage contraventions; enforcement, inspections and penalties are handled by federal authorities and can involve civil penalties, compliance notices and litigation in courts or tribunals. Specific fine amounts at the municipal level are not specified on the cited city pages; federal penalty details are set out in Commonwealth legislation and enforcement guidance from the Fair Work Ombudsman and relevant tribunals.[1]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited City of Perth pages; federal penalty amounts are set in Commonwealth law and detailed on official federal pages.
  • Escalation: enforcement typically progresses from education and compliance notices to infringement or civil proceedings for repeat or serious contraventions; specifics are not specified on the City of Perth pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: may include compliance notices, enforceable undertakings and orders from courts or tribunals.
  • Enforcer and complaints: Fair Work Ombudsman handles complaints and investigations for pay-related matters affecting Perth workplaces.
  • Appeals and reviews: decisions made by tribunals or courts have prescribed appeal routes; time limits and procedures are set in the relevant legislation and tribunal rules and must be checked on the enforcement body pages.

Applications & Forms

The City of Perth does not publish forms for minimum wage claims; pay disputes and requests for inspector action should use the Fair Work Ombudsman complaint and enquiry processes. No municipal wage-specific application form is published on the City of Perth site.

If you believe you are underpaid, keep pay records and contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for next steps.

Common violations and typical outcomes

  • Underpayment of minimum wage or award rates — may lead to recovery orders, compliance notices and civil proceedings.
  • Poor pay records or missing payslips — can trigger inspections and rectification orders.
  • Unauthorized deduction of tips from staff pay — subject to enforcement and restitution if unlawful.

FAQ

Can the City of Perth set a local minimum wage?
No; minimum wage rates and phased increases are determined under national law and modern awards rather than by the City of Perth.
Are tips counted as wages in Perth?
Tips are discretionary and employers cannot generally use them to meet minimum entitlements unless the applicable award or agreement lawfully allows it; see federal guidance on tipping and gratuities[2].
Where do I report underpayment in Perth?
Workers should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman to report underpayment or seek assistance; the City of Perth does not investigate federal wage claims.

How-To

  1. Gather pay records, contracts, timesheets and any relevant award or agreement references.
  2. Check the applicable modern award or Fair Work Commission decision to confirm correct rates.
  3. Raise the issue with your employer in writing and request rectification within a clear timeframe.
  4. If unresolved, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman to lodge a complaint and seek assistance.
  5. Follow any directions from enforcement bodies and be prepared to provide evidence for recovery or compensation processes.
Keep digital and paper copies of payslips and timesheets for at least two years where possible.

Key Takeaways

  • Perth follows national minimum wage and award settings; the city does not set separate wage bylaws.
  • Use the Fair Work Ombudsman for complaints, guidance and enforcement actions relating to pay and tips.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Fair Work Ombudsman - Minimum wages
  2. [2] Fair Work Ombudsman - Tips and gratuities

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