Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, who unveiled the changes on Tuesday morning, emphasized the government's aim to strike a balance between attracting skilled workers and managing migration levels responsibly.
The government believes this flexibility will help organisations secure the right fit for high-level positions, reducing risks associated with poor performance in critical roles.
Older employees, such as Baby Boomers and Gen X, tend to carry larger leave balances, with an average of 19.9 and 20.3 days of unused leave, respectively. In contrast, younger workers, including Millennials and Gen Z, are accumulating less unused leave, with 14.9 days and 8.8 days, respectively.
The gig economy, which has been growing in recent years, has contributed to the normalisation of poly-employment. Many workers now view freelancing, contract work, and part-time positions as viable options alongside their primary jobs.
Trade workers filed the most claims by occupation, totaling 39,000, highlighting the high-risk nature of trades work, which involves physical labor and exposure to hazards.
A key provision of the new bill is raising the casual loading for minimum wage workers to 25%. This change, aligning WA’s laws with the national system, aims to enhance financial security for casual employees.
Gen Z and millennials prioritize purpose-driven work, environmental responsibility, and mental health support in their workplaces. They seek jobs aligned with their values, ethics, and well-being, demanding action on climate change, mental health resources, and ethical leadership. These generations also stress the importance of work-life balance.