Western Australia Preps $2.8 Billion for Possible Pay Rise for Public Servants

‘It will deliver fair but financially sustainable wage increases and conditions of employment, that are reasonable in the context of each negotiation.’

Rita Saffioti speaks to media during a press conference at Dumas House on May 31, 2023 in Perth, Australia. Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

The Western Australian (WA) Labor government has ended its public sector-wide wages policy, putting A$2.8 billion (US$1.89 billion) on the table in a bid to allow public workers to renegotiate for higher pay raises and improved conditions.

Under the new policy, the government will dismantle the fixed pay rise for more than 140,000 public sector workers and instead allow them to bargain with individual public sector unions.