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Fair Work Act 2009

Authoritative Version
  • - C2017C00323
  • In force - Superseded Version
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Act No. 28 of 2009 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017
An Act relating to workplace relations, and for related purposes
Administered by: Attorney-General's; Jobs and Small Business
Registered 03 Oct 2017
Start Date 20 Sep 2017
End Date 31 Dec 2017
Table of contents.

Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia

Fair Work Act 2009

No. 28, 2009

Compilation No. 33

Compilation date:                              20 September 2017

Includes amendments up to:            Act No. 101, 2017

Registered:                                         3 October 2017

This compilation is in 2 volumes

Volume 1:       sections 1–536H

Volume 2:       sections 537–800

                        Schedules

                        Endnotes

Each volume has its own contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This compilation includes a commenced amendment made by Act No. 93, 2017

 

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Fair Work Act 2009 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 20 September 2017 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

  

  

  


Contents

Chapter 4—Compliance and enforcement                                         1

Part 4‑1—Civil remedies                                                                                                    1

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                            1

537........................ Guide to this Part................................................................ 1

538........................ Meanings of employee and employer.................................. 2

Division 2—Orders                                                                                                        3

Subdivision A—Applications for orders                                                              3

539........................ Applications for orders in relation to contraventions of civil remedy provisions     3

540........................ Limitations on who may apply for orders etc.................... 19

541........................ Applications for orders in relation to safety net contractual entitlements  21

542........................ Entitlements under contracts............................................. 21

543........................ Applications for orders in relation to statutory entitlements derived from contracts 22

544........................ Time limit on applications................................................. 22

Subdivision B—Orders                                                                                           22

545........................ Orders that can be made by particular courts.................... 22

546........................ Pecuniary penalty orders................................................... 24

547........................ Interest up to judgment..................................................... 25

Division 3—Small claims procedure                                                                   26

548........................ Plaintiffs may choose small claims procedure................... 26

Division 4—General provisions relating to civil remedies                     28

549........................ Contravening a civil remedy provision is not an offence.. 28

550........................ Involvement in contravention treated in same way as actual contravention              28

551........................ Civil evidence and procedure rules for proceedings relating to civil remedy provisions          28

552........................ Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings.................... 29

553........................ Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings................. 29

554........................ Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings.................... 29

555........................ Evidence given in proceedings for pecuniary penalty not admissible in criminal proceedings 29

556........................ Civil double jeopardy........................................................ 30

557........................ Course of conduct............................................................. 30

557A..................... Serious contravention of civil remedy provisions............. 32

557B...................... Liability of bodies corporate for serious contravention..... 34

557C...................... Presumption where records not provided......................... 34

558........................ Regulations dealing with infringement notices.................. 35

Division 4A—Responsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies for certain contraventions                                                                                      36

558A..................... Meaning of franchisee entity and responsible franchisor entity               36

558B...................... Responsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies for certain contraventions        36

558C...................... Right of responsible franchisor entity or holding company to recover     40

Division 5—Unclaimed money                                                                               42

559........................ Unclaimed money............................................................. 42

Part 4‑2—Jurisdiction and powers of courts                                                      44

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                          44

560........................ Guide to this Part.............................................................. 44

561........................ Meanings of employee and employer................................ 44

Division 2—Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Court                    45

562........................ Conferring jurisdiction on the Federal Court.................... 45

563........................ Exercising jurisdiction in the Fair Work Division of the Federal Court   45

564........................ No limitation on Federal Court’s powers.......................... 46

565........................ Appeals from eligible State or Territory courts................. 46

Division 3—Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Circuit Court   48

566........................ Conferring jurisdiction on the Federal Circuit Court......... 48

567........................ Exercising jurisdiction in the Fair Work Division of the Federal Circuit Court        48

568........................ No limitation on Federal Circuit Court’s powers.............. 48

Division 4—Miscellaneous                                                                                       49

569........................ Minister’s entitlement to intervene.................................... 49

569A..................... State or Territory Minister’s entitlement to intervene........ 49

570........................ Costs only if proceedings instituted vexatiously etc.......... 50

571........................ No imprisonment for failure to pay pecuniary penalty...... 50

572........................ Regulations dealing with matters relating to court proceedings                50

Chapter 5—Administration                                                                              51

Part 5‑1—The Fair Work Commission                                                                  51

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                          51

573........................ Guide to this Part.............................................................. 51

574........................ Meanings of employee and employer................................ 52

Division 2—Establishment and functions of the Fair Work Commission             53

Subdivision A—Establishment and functions of the Fair Work Commission                53

575........................ Establishment of the Fair Work Commission................... 53

576........................ Functions of the FWC...................................................... 53

577........................ Performance of functions etc. by the FWC....................... 55

578........................ Matters the FWC must take into account in performing functions etc.     55

579........................ FWC has privileges and immunities of the Crown........... 55

580........................ Protection of FWC Members............................................ 55

Subdivision B—Functions and powers of the President                                 56

581........................ Functions of the President................................................ 56

581A..................... Dealing with a complaint about an FWC Member............ 56

581B...................... Code of Conduct............................................................... 58

582........................ Directions by the President............................................... 58

583........................ President not subject to direction...................................... 59

584........................ Delegation of functions and powers of the President........ 59

Subdivision C—Protection of persons involved in handling etc. complaints about FWC Members         60

584B...................... Protection of persons involved in handling etc. complaints about FWC Members  60

Division 3—Conduct of matters before the FWC                                       61

Subdivision A—Applications to the FWC                                                          61

585........................ Applications in accordance with procedural rules............. 61

586........................ Correcting and amending applications and documents etc. 61

587........................ Dismissing applications.................................................... 61

588........................ Discontinuing applications................................................ 62

Subdivision B—Conduct of matters before the FWC                                     62

589........................ Procedural and interim decisions...................................... 62

590........................ Powers of the FWC to inform itself.................................. 62

591........................ FWC not bound by rules of evidence and procedure........ 63

592........................ Conferences...................................................................... 63

593........................ Hearings........................................................................... 64

594........................ Confidential evidence........................................................ 65

595........................ FWC’s power to deal with disputes.................................. 65

Subdivision C—Representation by lawyers and paid agents and Minister’s entitlement to make submissions     66

596........................ Representation by lawyers and paid agents....................... 66

597........................ Minister’s entitlement to make submissions..................... 67

597A..................... State or Territory Minister’s entitlement to make submissions 67

Subdivision D—Decisions of the FWC                                                                68

598........................ Decisions of the FWC...................................................... 68

599........................ FWC not required to decide an application in terms applied for               68

600........................ Determining matters in the absence of a person................ 69

601........................ Writing and publication requirements for the FWC’s decisions               69

602........................ Correcting obvious errors etc. in relation to the FWC’s decisions           70

603........................ Varying and revoking the FWC’s decisions..................... 70

Subdivision E—Appeals, reviews and referring questions of law               71

604........................ Appeal of decisions.......................................................... 71

605........................ Minister’s entitlement to apply for review of a decision... 72

606........................ Staying decisions that are appealed or reviewed............... 72

607........................ Process for appealing or reviewing decisions................... 73

608........................ Referring questions of law to the Federal Court............... 74

Subdivision F—Miscellaneous                                                                              74

609........................ Procedural rules................................................................ 74

610........................ Regulations dealing with any FWC matters...................... 75

611........................ Costs................................................................................. 75

Division 4—Organisation of the FWC                                                              77

Subdivision A—Functions etc. to be performed by a single FWC Member, a Full Bench or an Expert Panel      77

612........................ FWC’s functions etc. may generally be performed by single FWC Member           77

613........................ Appeal of decisions.......................................................... 77

614........................ Review of decisions by a Full Bench................................ 78

615........................ The President may direct a Full Bench to perform function etc.               78

615A..................... When the President must direct a Full Bench to perform function etc.     79

615B...................... Transfer to a Full Bench from an FWC Member.............. 79

615C...................... Transfer to the President from an FWC Member or a Full Bench            80

616........................ FWC’s functions etc. that must be performed by a Full Bench                80

617........................ FWC’s functions etc. that must be performed by an Expert Panel           81

Subdivision B—Constitution of the FWC by a single FWC Member, a Full Bench or an Expert Panel  83

618........................ Constitution and decision‑making of a Full Bench........... 83

619........................ Seniority of FWC Members............................................. 83

620........................ Constitution and decision‑making of an Expert Panel....... 84

621........................ Reconstitution of the FWC when single FWC Member becomes unavailable         85

622........................ Reconstitution of the FWC when FWC Member of a Full Bench or an Expert Panel becomes unavailable.......................................................................................... 86

623........................ When new FWC Members begin to deal with matters...... 86

624........................ FWC’s decisions not invalid when improperly constituted 87

Subdivision C—Delegation of the FWC’s functions and powers                  87

625........................ Delegation by the President of functions and powers of the FWC           87

Division 5—FWC Members                                                                                    89

Subdivision A—Appointment of FWC Members                                             89

626........................ Appointment of FWC Members....................................... 89

627........................ Qualifications for appointment of FWC Members............ 89

628........................ Basis of appointment of FWC Members.......................... 91

629........................ Period of appointment of FWC Members......................... 91

Subdivision B—Terms and conditions of FWC Members                             92

629A..................... Status of the President...................................................... 92

630........................ Appointment of a Judge not to affect tenure etc................ 93

631........................ Dual federal and State appointments of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners        93

632........................ Dual federal and Territory appointments of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners  94

633........................ Outside work of FWC Members...................................... 94

634........................ Oath or affirmation of office............................................. 94

635........................ Remuneration of the President.......................................... 95

636........................ Application of Judges’ Pensions Act to the President...... 95

637........................ Remuneration of FWC Members other than the President 96

638........................ Remuneration of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners performing duties on a part‑time basis              97

639........................ Leave of absence of FWC Members other than the President  98

640........................ Disclosure of interests by FWC Members other than the President         98

641........................ Termination of appointment on grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity   99

641A..................... Minister may handle complaints about FWC Members.... 99

642........................ Suspension on grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity... 100

643........................ Termination of appointment for bankruptcy, etc............. 101

644........................ Termination of appointment for outside work................. 101

645........................ Resignation of FWC Members....................................... 102

646........................ Other terms and conditions of FWC Members............... 102

647........................ Appointment of acting President and Vice President...... 102

648........................ Appointment of acting Deputy Presidents and Commissioners               103

Division 6—Cooperation with the States                                                       105

649........................ President to cooperate with prescribed State industrial authorities           105

650........................ Provision of administrative support................................ 105

Division 7—Seals and additional powers and functions of the President and the General Manager    106

651........................ Seals............................................................................... 106

652........................ Annual report.................................................................. 107

653........................ Reports about making enterprise agreements, individual flexibility arrangements etc.             107

653A..................... Arrangements with the Federal Court and the Federal Circuit Court        109

654........................ President must provide certain information etc. to the Minister and Fair Work Ombudsman  109

655........................ Disclosure of information by the FWC........................... 109

Division 8—General Manager, staff and consultants                             111

Subdivision A—Functions of the General Manager                                      111

656........................ Establishment.................................................................. 111

657........................ Functions and powers of the General Manager.............. 111

658........................ Directions from the President......................................... 111

659........................ General Manager not otherwise subject to direction....... 112

Subdivision B—Appointment and terms and conditions of the General Manager        112

660........................ Appointment of the General Manager............................. 112

661........................ Remuneration of the General Manager........................... 112

662........................ Leave of absence of the General Manager...................... 113

663........................ Outside work of the General Manager............................ 113

664........................ Disclosure of interests to the President........................... 113

665........................ Resignation of the General Manager............................... 113

666........................ Termination of appointment of the General Manager...... 113

667........................ Other terms and conditions of the General Manager....... 114

668........................ Appointment of acting General Manager........................ 114

669........................ Minister to consult the President..................................... 115

Subdivision C—Staff and consultants                                                               115

670........................ Staff................................................................................ 115

671........................ Delegation by General Manager to staff......................... 115

672........................ Persons assisting the FWC............................................. 116

673........................ Consultants..................................................................... 116

Subdivision D—Application of the finance law                                              116

673A..................... Application of the finance law........................................ 116

Division 9—Offences relating to the Fair Work Commission            118

674........................ Offences in relation to the FWC..................................... 118

675........................ Contravening an FWC order........................................... 120

676........................ Intimidation etc............................................................... 121

677........................ Offences in relation to attending before the FWC........... 121

678........................ False or misleading evidence.......................................... 122

Part 5‑2—Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman                                           124

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        124

679........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 124

680........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 124

Division 2—Fair Work Ombudsman                                                                125

Subdivision A—Establishment and functions and powers of the Fair Work Ombudsman         125

681........................ Establishment.................................................................. 125

682........................ Functions of the Fair Work Ombudsman....................... 125

683........................ Delegation by the Fair Work Ombudsman..................... 126

684........................ Directions from the Minister........................................... 127

685........................ Minister may require reports........................................... 127

686........................ Annual report.................................................................. 127

Subdivision B—Appointment and terms and conditions of the Fair Work Ombudsman            128

687........................ Appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman.................. 128

688........................ Remuneration of the Fair Work Ombudsman................. 128

689........................ Leave of absence of the Fair Work Ombudsman............ 129

690........................ Outside work of the Fair Work Ombudsman................. 129

692........................ Resignation of the Fair Work Ombudsman.................... 129

693........................ Termination of appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman 129

694........................ Other terms and conditions of the Fair Work Ombudsman 130

695........................ Appointment of acting Fair Work Ombudsman.............. 130

Division 3—Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman                                   132

Subdivision A—Establishment of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 132

696........................ Establishment of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 132

Subdivision B—Staff and consultants etc.                                                        132

697........................ Staff................................................................................ 132

698........................ Persons assisting the Fair Work Ombudsman................ 132

699........................ Consultants..................................................................... 133

Subdivision C—Appointment of Fair Work Inspectors                               133

700........................ Appointment of Fair Work Inspectors............................ 133

701........................ Fair Work Ombudsman is a Fair Work Inspector........... 133

702........................ Identity cards.................................................................. 134

Subdivision D—Functions and powers of Fair Work Inspectors—general 135

703........................ Conditions and restrictions on functions and powers..... 135

704........................ General directions by the Fair Work Ombudsman.......... 135

705........................ Particular directions by the Fair Work Ombudsman....... 135

706........................ Purpose for which powers of inspectors may be exercised 136

707........................ When powers of inspectors may be exercised................ 136

707A..................... Hindering or obstructing the Fair Work Ombudsman and inspectors etc.                137

Subdivision DA—Power to enter premises                                                      137

708........................ Power of inspectors to enter premises............................ 137

709........................ Powers of inspectors while on premises......................... 138

710........................ Persons assisting inspectors........................................... 139

Subdivision DB—Powers to ask questions and require records and documents            139

711........................ Power to ask for person’s name and address.................. 139

712........................ Power to require persons to produce records or documents 140

712A..................... Minister may nominate AAT presidential members to issue FWO notices              140

712AA.................. Fair Work Ombudsman may apply to nominated AAT presidential member for FWO notice 141

712AB................... Issue of FWO notice....................................................... 143

712AC................... Form and content of FWO notice................................... 144

712AD.................. Fair Work Ombudsman may give FWO notice to person in relation to whom it is issued and vary time for compliance...................................................................... 145

712AE................... Conduct of examination.................................................. 146

712B...................... Requirement to comply with FWO notice....................... 146

712C...................... Payment for expenses incurred in attending as required by an FWO notice             147

712D..................... Protection from liability relating to FWO notices............ 147

712E...................... Fair Work Ombudsman must notify Commonwealth Ombudsman of issue of FWO notice   147

712F...................... Review and report by Commonwealth Ombudsman...... 148

Subdivision DC—Other rules relating to answers, records and documents 150

713........................ Self‑incrimination etc...................................................... 150

713A..................... Certain records and documents are inadmissible............. 151

713AA.................. Legal professional privilege............................................ 151

714........................ Power to keep records or documents.............................. 151

714A..................... Reports not to include information relating to an individual’s affairs       152

Subdivision DD—Enforceable undertakings and compliance notices      153

715........................ Enforceable undertakings relating to contraventions of civil remedy provisions      153

716........................ Compliance notices......................................................... 154

717........................ Review of compliance notices......................................... 156

Subdivision E—Disclosure of information by the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman           157

718........................ Disclosure of information by the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman  157

Subdivision F—False or misleading information or documents               158

718A..................... False or misleading information or documents............... 158

Chapter 6—Miscellaneous                                                                                160

Part 6‑1—Multiple actions                                                                                            160

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        160

719........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 160

720........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 160

Division 2—Certain actions not permitted if alternative action can be taken   161

721........................ Equal remuneration applications..................................... 161

722........................ Notification and consultation requirements applications. 161

723........................ Unlawful termination applications.................................. 162

Division 3—Preventing multiple actions                                                         163

Subdivision A—Equal remuneration applications                                        163

724........................ Equal remuneration applications..................................... 163

Subdivision B—Applications and complaints relating to dismissal          164

725........................ General rule.................................................................... 164

726........................ Dismissal remedy bargaining order applications............. 164

727........................ General protections FWC applications............................ 164

728........................ General protections court applications............................ 165

729........................ Unfair dismissal applications.......................................... 166

730........................ Unlawful termination FWC applications......................... 166

731........................ Unlawful termination court applications......................... 167

732........................ Applications and complaints under other laws................ 167

733........................ Dismissal does not include failure to provide benefits.... 168

Subdivision C—General protections applications that do not relate to dismissal         168

734........................ General rule.................................................................... 168

Part 6‑2—Dealing with disputes                                                                                170

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        170

735........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 170

736........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 170

Division 2—Dealing with disputes                                                                      171

Subdivision A—Model term about dealing with disputes                             171

737........................ Model term about dealing with disputes......................... 171

Subdivision B—Dealing with disputes                                                               171

738........................ Application of this Division............................................ 171

739........................ Disputes dealt with by the FWC..................................... 171

740........................ Dispute dealt with by persons other than the FWC......... 172

Part 6‑3—Extension of National Employment Standards entitlements 174

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        174

741........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 174

742........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 174

Division 2—Extension of entitlement to unpaid parental leave and related entitlements            175

Subdivision A—Main provisions                                                                        175

743........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 175

744........................ Extending the entitlement to unpaid parental leave and related entitlements              175

745........................ Contravening the extended parental leave provisions...... 177

746........................ References to the National Employment Standards include extended parental leave provisions               177

747........................ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................. 177

Subdivision B—Modifications of the extended parental leave provisions 178

748........................ Non‑national system employees are not award/agreement free employees               178

749........................ Modification of meaning of base rate of pay for pieceworkers                178

750........................ Modification of meaning of full rate of pay for pieceworkers  178

751........................ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work—if determined by State industrial instrument        178

752........................ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work—if not determined by State industrial instrument  179

753........................ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work—regulations may prescribe usual weekly hours   179

754........................ Modification of meaning of pieceworker........................ 179

755........................ Modification of provision about interaction with paid leave 180

756........................ Modification of provision about relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements........................................................................................ 180

757........................ Modification of power to make regulations.................... 180

Division 3—Extension of entitlement to notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice       181

Subdivision A—Main provisions                                                                        181

758........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 181

759........................ Extending entitlement to notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice              181

760........................ Contravening the extended notice of termination provisions 182

761........................ References to the National Employment Standards include extended notice of termination provisions    183

762........................ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................. 183

Subdivision B—Modifications of the extended notice of termination provisions          183

763........................ Non‑national system employees are not award/agreement free employees               183

764........................ Modification of meaning of full rate of pay for pieceworkers  183

765........................ Modification of meaning of pieceworker........................ 184

766........................ Modification of provision about notice of termination by employee        184

767........................ Modification of provision about relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements........................................................................................ 184

768........................ Modification of power to make regulations.................... 184

Part 6‑3A—Transfer of business from a State public sector employer 186

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        186

768AA.................. Guide to this Part............................................................ 186

768AB................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 186

Division 2—Copying terms of State instruments when there is a transfer of business  187

768AC................... What this Division is about............................................. 187

768AD.................. When does a transfer of business occur?........................ 187

768AE................... Meaning of transferring employee, termination time and re‑employment time        188

Division 3—Copied State instruments                                                             189

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              189

768AF................... What this Division is about............................................. 189

Subdivision B—Copied State instruments                                                        189

768AG.................. Contravening a copied State instrument.......................... 189

768AH.................. What is a copied State instrument?.................................. 190

768AI.................... What is a copied State award?......................................... 190

768AJ.................... What is a State award?.................................................... 191

768AK................... What is a copied State employment agreement?.............. 191

768AL................... What is a State employment agreement?......................... 193

768AM.................. When does a copied State instrument apply to a person? 194

768AN.................. When does a copied State instrument cover a person?.... 195

768AO.................. When is a copied State instrument in operation?............. 197

Division 4—Interaction between copied State instruments and the NES, modern awards and enterprise agreements                                                                                           199

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              199

768AP................... What this Division is about............................................. 199

Subdivision B—Interaction with the NES                                                        199

768AQ.................. Interaction between the NES and a copied State instrument 199

768AR................... Provisions of the NES that allow instruments to contain particular kinds of terms  199

Subdivision C—Interaction with modern awards                                          201

768AS................... Modern awards and copied State awards........................ 201

768AT................... Modern awards and copied State employment agreements 201

Subdivision D—Interaction with enterprise agreements                              203

768AU.................. Enterprise agreements and copied State instruments....... 203

Division 5—Variation and termination of copied State instruments 204

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              204

768AV.................. What this Division is about............................................. 204

Subdivision B—Variation of copied State instruments                                204

768AW.................. Variation in limited circumstances.................................. 204

768AX.................. Variation of copied State instruments............................. 204

Subdivision C—Termination of copied State instruments                           207

768AY.................. Termination in limited circumstances.............................. 207

Division 6—FWC orders about coverage of copied State instruments and other instruments 208

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              208

768AZ................... What this Division is about............................................. 208

768AZA................ Orders in relation to a transfer of business..................... 208

Subdivision B—Coverage orders                                                                       209

768BA................... FWC orders about coverage for transferring employees. 209

768BB................... FWC orders about coverage for employee organisations 210

Division 7—FWC orders about consolidating copied State instruments etc.      212

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              212

768BC................... What this Division is about............................................. 212

768BCA................ Orders in relation to a transfer of business..................... 213

Subdivision B—Consolidation orders in relation to transferring employees 213

768BD................... Consolidation orders in relation to transferring employees 213

768BE................... Consolidation order to deal with application and coverage 214

768BF................... Effect of this Act after a consolidation order is made...... 215

Subdivision C—Consolidation orders in relation to non‑transferring employees        215

768BG................... Consolidation orders in relation to non‑transferring employees               215

768BH................... Consolidation order to deal with application and coverage 217

768BI.................... Effect of this Act after a consolidation order is made...... 218

Division 8—Special rules for copied State instruments                          219

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              219

768BJ.................... What this Division is about............................................. 219

Subdivision B—Terms about disputes                                                              220

768BK................... Where no term dealing with disputes.............................. 220

Subdivision C—Service and entitlements of a transferring employee     220

768BL................... Service for the purposes of this Act................................ 220

768BM.................. NES—working out non‑accruing entitlements............... 221

768BN................... NES—working out accruing entitlements....................... 222

768BO................... Copied State instrument—service................................... 223

768BP................... Copied State instrument—working out non‑accruing entitlements           224

768BQ................... Copied State instrument—working out accruing entitlements  225

Subdivision D—Cessation of copied State awards: avoiding reductions in take‑home pay        226

768BR................... Cessation not intended to result in reduction in take‑home pay                226

768BS................... Orders remedying reductions in take‑home pay.............. 227

768BT................... Contravening a take‑home pay order.............................. 228

768BU................... How long a take‑home pay order continues to apply...... 228

768BV................... Interaction of take‑home pay orders with modern awards and enterprise agreements              228

768BW.................. Application of this Act to take‑home pay orders............. 228

Subdivision E—Modification of this Act                                                          229

768BX................... Modification of this Act for copied State instruments..... 229

Subdivision F—Modification of the Transitional Act                                  230

768BY................... Modification of the Transitional Act for copied State instruments           230

Subdivision G—Modification of the Registered Organisations Act          234

768BZ................... Modification of the Registered Organisations Act for copied State instruments      234

Division 9—Regulations                                                                                          236

768CA................... Regulations..................................................................... 236

Part 6‑4—Additional provisions relating to termination of employment 238

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        238

769........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 238

770........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 238

Division 2—Termination of employment                                                       239

771........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 239

772........................ Employment not to be terminated on certain grounds..... 239

773........................ Application for the FWC to deal with a dispute.............. 241

774........................ Time for application........................................................ 241

775........................ Application fees.............................................................. 242

776........................ Dealing with a dispute (other than by arbitration)........... 242

777........................ Dealing with a dispute by arbitration.............................. 243

778........................ Taking a dispute to court................................................. 244

779........................ Appeal rights.................................................................. 244

779A..................... Costs orders against parties............................................ 245

780........................ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................. 245

781........................ Applications for costs orders.......................................... 246

781A..................... Schedule of costs............................................................ 246

782........................ Contravening costs orders.............................................. 247

783........................ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise 247

Division 3—Notification and consultation requirements relating to certain terminations of employment                                                                                                                    248

Subdivision A—Object of this Division                                                             248

784........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 248

Subdivision B—Requirement to notify Centrelink                                        248

785........................ Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed terminations              248

Subdivision C—Failure to notify or consult registered employee associations             249

786........................ FWC may make orders where failure to notify or consult registered employee associations about terminations........................................................................................ 249

787........................ Orders that the FWC may make...................................... 251

788........................ Application to the FWC for order................................... 251

Subdivision D—Limits on scope of this Division                                            252

789........................ Limits on scope of this Division..................................... 252

Part 6‑4A—Special provisions about TCF outworkers                              253

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        253

789AA.................. Guide to this Part............................................................ 253

789AB................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 253

789AC................... Objects of this Part......................................................... 253

Division 2—TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances             255

789BA................... Provisions covered by this Division............................... 255

789BB................... TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances               256

789BC................... Regulations relating to TCF outworkers who are taken to be employees 257

Division 3—Recovery of unpaid amounts                                                     258

789CA................... When this Division applies............................................. 258

789CB................... Liability of indirectly responsible entity for unpaid amount 260

789CC................... Demand for payment from an apparent indirectly responsible entity        260

789CD................... Court order for entity to pay amount demanded.............. 261

789CE................... Effect of payment by entity (including entity’s right to recover from responsible person)       262

789CF................... Division does not limit other liabilities or rights............. 263

Division 4—Code of practice relating to TCF outwork                         264

789DA.................. Regulations may provide for a code................................ 264

789DB................... Matters that may be dealt with in TCF outwork code..... 264

789DC................... Persons on whom obligations may be imposed by TCF outwork code   265

789DD.................. Other general matters relating to content of TCF outwork code               266

789DE................... Relationship between the TCF outwork code and other instruments        267

Division 5—Miscellaneous                                                                                     269

789EA................... Part not intended to exclude or limit State or Territory laws relating to outworkers 269

Part 6‑4B—Workers bullied at work                                                                     270

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        270

789FA................... Guide to this Part............................................................ 270

789FB................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 270

Division 2—Stopping workers being bullied at work                              271

789FC................... Application for an FWC order to stop bullying.............. 271

789FD................... When is a worker bullied at work?................................. 271

789FE.................... FWC to deal with applications promptly......................... 272

789FF.................... FWC may make orders to stop bullying......................... 273

789FG................... Contravening an order to stop bullying........................... 273

789FH................... Actions under work health and safety laws permitted..... 273

789FI..................... This Part is not to prejudice Australia’s defence, national security etc.    274

789FJ.................... Declarations by the Chief of the Defence Force.............. 274

789FK................... Declarations by the Director‑General of Security........... 275

789FL.................... Declarations by the Director‑General of ASIS............... 275

Part 6‑5—Miscellaneous                                                                                                 276

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        276

790........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 276

791........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 276

Division 2—Miscellaneous                                                                                     277

792........................ Delegation by Minister................................................... 277

793........................ Liability of bodies corporate........................................... 277

794........................ Signature on behalf of body corporate............................ 278

795........................ Public sector employer to act through employing authority 278

795A..................... The Schedules................................................................. 280

796........................ Regulations—general...................................................... 280

796A..................... Regulations conferring functions.................................... 280

797........................ Regulations dealing with offences.................................. 280

798........................ Regulations dealing with civil penalties.......................... 281

799........................ Regulations dealing with infringement notices................ 281

800........................ Regulations dealing with exhibiting fair work instruments 281

Schedule 1—Application, saving and transitional provisions relating to amendments of this Act                                                                                           282

Part 1—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry) Act 2012                                                                                                                282

1............................ Definitions...................................................................... 282

2............................ Section 789BB of amended Act applies to contracts entered into after commencement           282

3............................ Effect on TCF contract outworker’s entitlements............ 283

4............................ Fair work instruments etc. made before commencement. 283

5............................ Application of Division 3 of Part 6‑4A of amended Act 284

6............................ Application of subsection 203(2A) of amended Act....... 284

7............................ Regulations dealing with various matters........................ 284

Part 2—Amendments made by the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Further MySuper and Transparency Measures) Act 2012                                                      286

8............................ Definitions...................................................................... 286

9............................ Application of sections 149A and 155A of amended Act 286

10.......................... FWC to vary certain modern awards.............................. 286

11.......................... FWC to update text of certain modern awards................ 287

12.......................... Application of paragraph 194(h) of amended Act........... 287

Part 3—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Respect for Emergency Services Volunteers) Act 2016                                                                                                                288

13.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 288

14.......................... Application of amendments—objectionable emergency management terms             288

Part 4—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017                                                                                                                                    290

15.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 290

16.......................... Application of amendments—unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amounts                290

17.......................... Saving of regulations—unreasonable deductions........... 290

18.......................... Application of amendments—increasing maximum penalties for contraventions of certain civil remedy provisions....................................................................... 290

19.......................... Application of amendments—responsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies   291

20.......................... Application of amendments—hindering or obstructing the Fair Work Ombudsman and inspectors etc. 291

21.......................... Application of power to give FWO notices.................... 291

22.......................... Application of amendments relating to self‑incrimination etc.  292

23.......................... Application of requirement for reports not to include information relating to an individual’s affairs       292

24.......................... Application of amendments—false or misleading information or documents          292

24A....................... Application of amendments—presumption where records not provided  292

Part 6—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Corrupting Benefits) Act 2017   293

30.......................... Disclosure by organisations and employers.................... 293

Schedule 2—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Transfer of Business) Act 2012                                                                                               294

1............................ Definitions...................................................................... 294

2............................ Application of the amendments made by the amending Act 294

Schedule 3—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment Act 2012          295

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                         295

1............................ Definitions...................................................................... 295

Part 2—Default superannuation (Schedule 1)                                                 296

2............................ Schedule 1 to the amending Act...................................... 296

2A......................... Transitional provision—when first variations of default fund term take effect         296

2B.......................... Transitional provision—modern awards made on or after 1 January 2014              297

Part 3—Modern awards (Schedule 3)                                                                   298

3............................ Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the amending Act....................... 298

Part 4—Enterprise agreements (Schedule 4)                                                    299

4............................ Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 299

5............................ Part 2 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 299

6............................ Part 3 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 299

7............................ Part 4 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 300

8............................ Part 5 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 300

Part 5—General protections (Schedule 5)                                                           301

9............................ Part 1 of Schedule 5 to the amending Act....................... 301

Part 6—Unfair dismissal (Schedule 6)                                                                   302

10.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 302

11.......................... Part 2 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 302

12.......................... Part 3 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 302

13.......................... Part 4 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 302

Part 7—Industrial action (Schedule 7)                                                                  303

14.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 7 to the amending Act....................... 303

15.......................... Part 2 of Schedule 7 to the amending Act....................... 303

16.......................... Part 3 of Schedule 7 to the amending Act....................... 303

Part 8—The Fair Work Commission (Schedule 8)                                        304

17.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 304

18.......................... Part 2 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 304

19.......................... Part 4 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 304

20.......................... Part 5 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 304

21.......................... Part 6 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 304

22.......................... Part 7 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 305

23.......................... Part 8 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 305

Part 9—Changing the name of Fair Work Australia (Schedule 9)     306

24.......................... Transitional provision—President.................................. 306

25.......................... Transitional provision—Deputy President...................... 307

26.......................... Transitional provision—Commissioner.......................... 308

27.......................... Transitional provision—Minimum Wage Panel Member 309

28.......................... Operation of laws—things done by, or in relation to, FWA 310

29.......................... Transitional provision—General Manager and staff of FWA  310

30.......................... Operation of section 7 and subsection 25B(1) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 not limited                311

Part 10—Other amendments (Schedule 10)                                                       312

31.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 10 to the amending Act..................... 312

Part 11—Regulations                                                                                                       313

32.......................... Regulations about application, transitional and saving matters 313

Schedule 4—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment Act 2013          314

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                         314

1............................ Definition........................................................................ 314

Part 2—Family‑friendly measures (Schedule 1)                                              315

2............................ Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 315

3............................ Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 315

4............................ Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 315

5............................ Part 4 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 315

6............................ Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 316

Part 3—Modern awards objective (Schedule 2)                                              317

7............................ Schedule 2 to the amending Act...................................... 317

Part 4—Anti‑bullying measure (Schedule 3)                                                     318

8............................ Schedule 3 to the amending Act...................................... 318

Part 4A—Conferences (Schedule 3A)                                                                   319

8A......................... Schedule 3A to the amending Act................................... 319

Part 5—Right of entry (Schedule 4)                                                                       320

9............................ Schedule 4 to the amending Act...................................... 320

Part 6—Consent arbitration for general protections and unlawful termination (Schedule 4A)               321

10.......................... Schedule 4A to the amending Act................................... 321

Part 7—The FWC (Schedule 5)                                                                                322

11.......................... Item 4 of Schedule 5 to the amending Act...................... 322

Schedule 5—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment Act 2015          323

1............................ Definition........................................................................ 323

2............................ Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 323

9............................ Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 323

11.......................... Part 7 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 323

14.......................... Part 10 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act..................... 323

Endnotes                                                                                                                                  324

Endnote 1—About the endnotes                                                                          324

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key                                                                              326

Endnote 3—Legislation history                                                                           327

Endnote 4—Amendment history                                                                         335


Chapter 4Compliance and enforcement

Part 4‑1Civil remedies

Division 1Introduction

537  Guide to this Part

This Part is about civil remedies. Certain provisions in this Act impose obligations on certain persons. Civil remedies may be sought in relation to contraventions of these civil remedy provisions.

Subdivision A of Division 2 deals with applications for orders in relation to contraventions of civil remedy provisions and safety net contractual entitlements, and applications for orders to enforce entitlements arising under subsection 542(1).

Subdivision B of Division 2 sets out the orders that can be made by the Federal Court, the Federal Circuit Court or an eligible State or Territory Court in relation to a contravention of a civil remedy provision.

Division 3 sets out when proceedings relating to a contravention of a civil remedy provision may be dealt with as small claims proceedings.

Division 4 deals with general provisions relating to civil remedies, including rules about evidence and procedure.

Division 4A imposes obligations on responsible franchisor entities in relation to certain contraventions of civil remedy provisions by franchisee entities and on holding companies in relation to certain contraventions of civil remedy provisions by subsidiaries.

Division 5 deals with unclaimed money.

538  Meanings of employee and employer

                   In this Part, employee and employer have their ordinary meanings.

Note:          See also Division 2 of Part 6‑4A (TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances).

Division 2Orders

Subdivision AApplications for orders

539  Applications for orders in relation to contraventions of civil remedy provisions

             (1)  A provision referred to in column 1 of an item in the table in subsection (2) is a civil remedy provision.

             (2)  For each civil remedy provision, the persons referred to in column 2 of the item may, subject to sections 540 and 544 and Subdivision B, apply to the courts referred to in column 3 of the item for orders in relation to a contravention or proposed contravention of the provision, including the maximum penalty referred to in column 4 of the item.

Note 1:       Civil remedy provisions within a single Part may be grouped together in a single item of the table.

Note 2:       Applications cannot be made by an inspector in relation to a contravention of a civil remedy provision by a person in certain cases where an undertaking or compliance notice has been given (see subsections 715(4) and 716(4A)).

Note 3:       The regulations may also prescribe persons for the purposes of an item in column 2 of the table (see subsection 540(8)).

Note 4:       See section 557A in relation to a serious contravention of a civil remedy provision.

 

Standing, jurisdiction and maximum penalties

Item

Column 1
Civil remedy provision

Column 2
Persons

Column 3
Courts

Column 4
Maximum penalty

Part 2‑1—Core provisions

1

44(1)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

2

45 (other than in relation to a contravention or proposed contravention of an outworker term)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an employee organisation;

(d) an employer organisation;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

3

45 (in relation to a contravention or proposed contravention of an outworker term)

(a) an outworker;

(b) an employer;

(c) an outworker entity;

(d) an employee organisation;

(e) an employer organisation;

(f) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

4

50 (other than in relation to a contravention or proposed contravention of a term that would be an outworker term if it were included in a modern award)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an employee organisation to which the enterprise agreement concerned applies;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

5

50 (in relation to a contravention or proposed contravention of a term that would be an outworker term if it were included in a modern award)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an employee organisation;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 2‑4—Enterprise agreements

5A

179(1)

179(5)

(a) an employee;

(b) a bargaining representative for the proposed enterprise agreement;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

5B

180(4A)

180(4B)

180(4C)

(a) an employee;

(b) a bargaining representative for the proposed enterprise agreement;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

6

233

(a) an employee who the proposed enterprise agreement will cover;

(b) a bargaining representative for the proposed enterprise agreement;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 2‑5—Workplace determinations

7

280

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an employee organisation to which the workplace determination concerned applies;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 2‑6—Minimum wages

8

293

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 2‑7—Equal remuneration

9

305

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 2‑9—Other terms and conditions of employment

10

323(1)
323(3)
325(1)
328(1)
328(2)
328(3)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

10A

325(1A)

(a) a prospective employee;

(b) an employee;

(c) an employee organisation;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 3‑1—General protections

11

340(1)
340(2)
343(1)
344
345(1)
346
348
349(1)
350(1)
350(2)
351(1)
352
353(1)
354(1)
355
357(1)
358
359
369(3)

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an industrial association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

12

378

(a) a person to whom the costs are payable;

(b) an industrial association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

Part 3‑2—Unfair dismissal

13

405

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an employer organisation;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 3‑3—Industrial action

14

417(1)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an employee organisation covered by the enterprise agreement or workplace determination concerned;

(d) a person affected by the industrial action;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

15

421(1)

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

16

434

an inspector

the Federal Court

60 penalty units

17

458(2)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an applicant for the protected action ballot order;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

30 penalty units

18

462(1)
462(3)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an applicant for the protected action ballot order;

(d) the protected action ballot agent;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

30 penalty units

19

463(1)
463(2)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an applicant for the protected action ballot order;

(d) the protected action ballot agent;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

20

467(1)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an applicant for the protected action ballot order;

(d) the protected action ballot agent;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

30 penalty units

21

470(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

22

473(1)
473(2)

(a) an employer;

(b) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

23

474(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

24

475(1)
475(2)

(a) an employer;

(b) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

Part 3‑4—Right of entry

25

482(3)
483(4)
483B(4)
483C(5)
483D(4)
483E(5)
494(1)
495(1)
496
497
498
499
500
501
502(1)
503(1)
504
506
509
521C(3)
521D(3)

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

26

517(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

Part 3‑5—Stand down

27

527

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 3‑6—Other rights and responsibilities

28

530(4)

(a) an employee;

(b) a registered employee association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

30 penalty units

29

535(1)
535(2)
535(4)
536(1)
536(2)
536(3)

(a) an employee;

(b) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 4‑1—Civil remedies

29A

558B(1)

558B(2)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

Part 5‑1—The Fair Work Commission

30

611(3)

(a) a person to whom the costs are payable;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an employer organisation;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 5‑2—Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman

30A

707A(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

31

711(3)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

30 penalty units

32

712(3)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

32A

712B(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

600 penalty units

33

716(5)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

30 penalty units

33A

718A(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 6‑3—Extension of National Employment Standards entitlements

34

745(1)
760

(a) an employee;

(b) a registered employee association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 6‑3A—Transfer of business from a State public sector employer

34A

768AG

(a) the transferring employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an employee organisation;

(d) an employer organisation;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

34B

768BT

(a) the transferring employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an employee organisation;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 6‑4—Additional provisions relating to termination of employment

35

772(1)
777(3)

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an industrial association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

36

782

(a) a person to whom the costs are payable;

(b) an industrial association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

37

785(4)

(a) an employee;

(b) a registered employee association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

30 penalty units

Part 6‑4B—Workers bullied at work

38

789FG

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an industrial association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

             (3)  The regulations may provide that a provision set out in the regulations is a civil remedy provision.

             (4)  If the regulations make provision as mentioned in subsection (3):

                     (a)  the regulations must set out:

                              (i)  the persons who would be referred to in column 2; and

                             (ii)  the courts that would be referred to in column 3; and

                            (iii)  the maximum penalty that would be referred to in column 4;

                            of the table in subsection (2) if there were an item for the civil remedy provision in the table; and

                     (b)  this Part has effect as if the matters referred to subparagraphs (a)(i) to (iii) were set out in such an item in the table.

Note:          See section 798 for limits on the penalties that may be set out in the regulations.

540  Limitations on who may apply for orders etc.

Employees, employers, outworkers and outworker entities

             (1)  The following persons may apply for an order under this Division, in relation to a contravention or proposed contravention of a civil remedy provision, only if the person is affected by the contravention, or will be affected by the proposed contravention:

                     (a)  an employee;

                    (aa)  a prospective employee;

                     (b)  an employer;

                     (c)  an outworker;

                     (d)  an outworker entity.

Employee organisations and registered employee associations

             (2)  An employee organisation or a registered employee association may apply for an order under this Division, in relation to a contravention or proposed contravention of a civil remedy provision in relation to an employee, only if:

                     (a)  the employee is affected by the contravention, or will be affected by the proposed contravention; and

                     (b)  the organisation or association is entitled to represent the industrial interests of the employee.

             (3)  However, subsection (2) does not apply in relation to:

                     (a)  items 4, 7 and 14 in the table in subsection 539(2); or

                     (b)  a contravention or proposed contravention of:

                              (i)  an outworker term in a modern award; or

                             (ii)  a term in an enterprise agreement that would be an outworker term if it were included in a modern award.

             (4)  An employee organisation may apply for an order under this Division, in relation to a contravention or proposed contravention of:

                     (a)  an outworker term in a modern award; or

                     (b)  a term in an enterprise agreement that would be an outworker term if it were included in a modern award;

only if the employee organisation is entitled to represent the industrial interests of an outworker to whom the term relates.

Employer organisations

             (5)  An employer organisation may apply for an order under this Division, in relation to a contravention or proposed contravention of a civil remedy provision, only if the organisation has a member who is affected by the contravention, or who will be affected by the proposed contravention.

Industrial associations

             (6)  An industrial association may apply for an order under this Division, in relation to a contravention or proposed contravention of a civil remedy provision, only if:

                     (a)  the industrial association is affected by the contravention, or will be affected by the proposed contravention; or

                     (b)  if the contravention is in relation to a person:

                              (i)  the person is affected by the contravention, or will be affected by the proposed contravention; and

                             (ii)  the industrial association is entitled to represent the industrial interests of the person.

             (7)  If an item in column 2 of the table in subsection 539(2) refers to an industrial association then, to avoid doubt, an employee organisation, a registered employee association or an employer organisation may apply for an order, in relation to a contravention or proposed contravention of a civil remedy provision, only if the organisation or association is entitled to apply for the order under subsection (6).

Regulations

             (8)  The regulations may prescribe a person for the purposes of an item in column 2 of the table in subsection 539(2). The regulations may provide that the person is prescribed only in relation to circumstances specified in the regulations.

541  Applications for orders in relation to safety net contractual entitlements

             (1)  This section applies if an inspector applies to a court for an order under this Division, in relation to an employer’s contravention or proposed contravention of a provision or term referred to in subsection (3) in relation to an employee.

             (2)  The inspector may also apply to the court, on behalf of the employee, for an order in relation to the employer’s contravention, or proposed contravention, of a safety net contractual entitlement of the employee.

             (3)  The provisions and terms are the following:

                     (a)  a provision of the National Employment Standards;

                     (b)  a term of a modern award;

                     (c)  a term of an enterprise agreement;

                     (d)  a term of a workplace determination;

                     (e)  a term of a national minimum wage order;

                      (f)  a term of an equal remuneration order.

542  Entitlements under contracts

             (1)  For the purposes of this Part, a safety net contractual entitlement of a national system employer or a national system employee, as in force from time to time, also has effect as an entitlement of the employer or employee under this Act.

             (2)  The entitlement has effect under this Act subject to any modifications, by a law of the Commonwealth (including this Act or a fair work instrument), a State or a Territory, of the safety net contractual entitlement.

543  Applications for orders in relation to statutory entitlements derived from contracts

                   A national system employer or a national system employee may apply to the Federal Court or the Federal Circuit Court to enforce an entitlement of the employer or employee arising under subsection 542(1).

544  Time limit on applications

                   A person may apply for an order under this Division in relation to a contravention of one of the following only if the application is made within 6 years after the day on which the contravention occurred:

                     (a)  a civil remedy provision;

                     (b)  a safety net contractual entitlement;

                     (c)  an entitlement arising under subsection 542(1).

Note 1:       This section does not apply in relation to general protections court applications or unlawful termination court applications (see subparagraphs 370(a)(ii) and 778(a)(ii)).

Note 2:       For time limits on orders relating to underpayments, see subsection 545(5).

Subdivision BOrders

545  Orders that can be made by particular courts

Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court

             (1)  The Federal Court or the Federal Circuit Court may make any order the court considers appropriate if the court is satisfied that a person has contravened, or proposes to contravene, a civil remedy provision.

Note 1:       For the court’s power to make pecuniary penalty orders, see section 546.

Note 2:       For limitations on orders in relation to costs, see section 570.

Note 3:       The Federal Court and the Federal Circuit Court may grant injunctions in relation to industrial action under subsections 417(3) and 421(3).

Note 4:       There are limitations on orders that can be made in relation to contraventions of subsection 65(5), 76(4), 463(1) or 463(2) (which deal with reasonable business grounds and protected action ballot orders) (see subsections 44(2), 463(3) and 745(2)).

             (2)  Without limiting subsection (1), orders the Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court may make include the following:

                     (a)  an order granting an injunction, or interim injunction, to prevent, stop or remedy the effects of a contravention;

                     (b)  an order awarding compensation for loss that a person has suffered because of the contravention;

                     (c)  an order for reinstatement of a person.

Eligible State or Territory courts

             (3)  An eligible State or Territory court may order an employer to pay an amount to, or on behalf of, an employee of the employer if the court is satisfied that:

                     (a)  the employer was required to pay the amount under this Act or a fair work instrument; and

                     (b)  the employer has contravened a civil remedy provision by failing to pay the amount.

Note 1:       For the court’s power to make pecuniary penalty orders, see section 546.

Note 2:       For limitations on orders in relation to costs, see section 570.

          (3A)  An eligible State or Territory court may order an outworker entity to pay an amount to, or on behalf of, an outworker if the court is satisfied that:

                     (a)  the outworker entity was required to pay the amount under a modern award; and

                     (b)  the outworker entity has contravened a civil remedy provision by failing to pay the amount.

Note 1:       For the court’s power to make pecuniary penalty orders, see section 546.

Note 2:       For limitations on orders in relation to costs, see section 570.

When orders may be made

             (4)  A court may make an order under this section:

                     (a)  on its own initiative, during proceedings before the court; or

                     (b)  on application.

Time limit for orders in relation to underpayments

             (5)  A court must not make an order under this section in relation to an underpayment that relates to a period that is more than 6 years before the proceedings concerned commenced.

546  Pecuniary penalty orders

             (1)  The Federal Court, the Federal Circuit Court or an eligible State or Territory court may, on application, order a person to pay a pecuniary penalty that the court considers is appropriate if the court is satisfied that the person has contravened a civil remedy provision.

Note:          Pecuniary penalty orders cannot be made in relation to conduct that contravenes a term of a modern award, a national minimum wage order or an enterprise agreement only because of the retrospective effect of a determination (see subsections 167(3) and 298(2)).

Determining amount of pecuniary penalty

             (2)  The pecuniary penalty must not be more than:

                     (a)  if the person is an individual—the maximum number of penalty units referred to in the relevant item in column 4 of the table in subsection 539(2); or

                     (b)  if the person is a body corporate—5 times the maximum number of penalty units referred to in the relevant item in column 4 of the table in subsection 539(2).

Payment of penalty

             (3)  The court may order that the pecuniary penalty, or a part of the penalty, be paid to:

                     (a)  the Commonwealth; or

                     (b)  a particular organisation; or

                     (c)  a particular person.

Recovery of penalty

             (4)  The pecuniary penalty may be recovered as a debt due to the person to whom the penalty is payable.

No limitation on orders

             (5)  To avoid doubt, a court may make a pecuniary penalty order in addition to one or more orders under section 545.

547  Interest up to judgment

             (1)  This section applies to an order (other than a pecuniary penalty order) under this Division in relation to an amount that a person was required to pay to, or on behalf of, another person under this Act or a fair work instrument.

             (2)  In making the order the court must, on application, include an amount of interest in the sum ordered, unless good cause is shown to the contrary.

             (3)  Without limiting subsection (2), in determining the amount of interest, the court must take into account the period between the day the relevant cause of action arose and the day the order is made.

Division 3Small claims procedure

548  Plaintiffs may choose small claims procedure

             (1)  Proceedings are to be dealt with as small claims proceedings under this section if:

                     (a)  a person applies for an order (other than a pecuniary penalty order) under Division 2 from a magistrates court or the Federal Circuit Court; and

                     (b)  the order relates to an amount referred to in subsection (1A); and

                     (c)  the person indicates, in a manner prescribed by the regulations or by the rules of the court, that he or she wants the small claims procedure to apply to the proceedings.

          (1A)  The amounts are as follows:

                     (a)  an amount that an employer was required to pay to, or on behalf of, an employee:

                              (i)  under this Act or a fair work instrument; or

                             (ii)  because of a safety net contractual entitlement; or

                            (iii)  because of an entitlement of the employee arising under subsection 542(1);

                     (b)  an amount that an outworker entity was required to pay to, or on behalf of, an outworker under a modern award.

Limits on award

             (2)  In small claims proceedings, the court may not award more than:

                     (a)  $20,000; or

                     (b)  if a higher amount is prescribed by the regulations—that higher amount.

Procedure

             (3)  In small claims proceedings, the court is not bound by any rules of evidence and procedure and may act:

                     (a)  in an informal manner; and

                     (b)  without regard to legal forms and technicalities.

             (4)  At any stage of the small claims proceedings, the court may amend the papers commencing the proceedings if sufficient notice is given to any party adversely affected by the amendment.

Legal representation

             (5)  A party to small claims proceedings may be represented in the proceedings by a lawyer only with the leave of the court.

             (6)  If the court grants leave for a party to the proceedings to be represented by a lawyer, the court may, if it considers appropriate, do so subject to conditions designed to ensure that no other party is unfairly disadvantaged.

             (7)  For the purposes of this section, a person is taken not to be represented by a lawyer if the lawyer is an employee or officer of the person.

Representation by an industrial association

             (8)  The regulations may provide for a party to small claims proceedings to be represented in the proceedings, in specified circumstances, by an official of an industrial association.

             (9)  However, if small claims proceedings are heard in a court of a State, the regulations may so provide only if the law of the State allows a party to be represented in that court in those circumstances by officials of bodies representing interests related to the matters in dispute.

Division 4General provisions relating to civil remedies

549  Contravening a civil remedy provision is not an offence

                   A contravention of a civil remedy provision is not an offence.

550  Involvement in contravention treated in same way as actual contravention

             (1)  A person who is involved in a contravention of a civil remedy provision is taken to have contravened that provision.

Note:          If a person (the involved person) is taken under this subsection to have contravened a civil remedy provision, the involved person’s contravention may be a serious contravention (see subsection 557A(5A)). Serious contraventions attract higher maximum penalties (see subsection 539(2)).

             (2)  A person is involved in a contravention of a civil remedy provision if, and only if, the person:

                     (a)  has aided, abetted, counselled or procured the contravention; or

                     (b)  has induced the contravention, whether by threats or promises or otherwise; or

                     (c)  has been in any way, by act or omission, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned in or party to the contravention; or

                     (d)  has conspired with others to effect the contravention.

551  Civil evidence and procedure rules for proceedings relating to civil remedy provisions

                   A court must apply the rules of evidence and procedure for civil matters when hearing proceedings relating to a contravention, or proposed contravention, of a civil remedy provision.

552  Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings

                   A court must not make a pecuniary penalty order against a person for a contravention of a civil remedy provision if the person has been convicted of an offence constituted by conduct that is substantially the same as the conduct constituting the contravention.

553  Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings

             (1)  Proceedings for a pecuniary penalty order against a person for a contravention of a civil remedy provision are stayed if:

                     (a)  criminal proceedings are commenced or have already commenced against the person for an offence; and

                     (b)  the offence is constituted by conduct that is substantially the same as the conduct in relation to which the order would be made.

             (2)  The proceedings for the order may be resumed if the person is not convicted of the offence. Otherwise, the proceedings for the order are dismissed.

554  Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings

                   Criminal proceedings may be commenced against a person for conduct that is substantially the same as conduct constituting a contravention of a civil remedy provision regardless of whether an order has been made against the person under Division 2.

555  Evidence given in proceedings for pecuniary penalty not admissible in criminal proceedings

             (1)  Evidence of information given, or evidence of production of documents, by an individual is not admissible in criminal proceedings against the individual if:

                     (a)  the individual previously gave the information or produced the documents in proceedings for a pecuniary penalty order against the individual for a contravention of a civil remedy provision (whether or not the order was made); and

                     (b)  the conduct alleged to constitute the offence is substantially the same as the conduct in relation to which the order was sought.

             (2)  However, this does not apply to criminal proceedings in relation to the falsity of the evidence given by the individual in the proceedings for the pecuniary penalty order.

556  Civil double jeopardy

                   If a person is ordered to pay a pecuniary penalty under a civil remedy provision in relation to particular conduct, the person is not liable to be ordered to pay a pecuniary penalty under some other provision of a law of the Commonwealth in relation to that conduct.

Note:          A court may make other orders, such as an order for compensation, in relation to particular conduct even if the court has made a pecuniary penalty order in relation to that conduct (see subsection 546(5)).

557  Course of conduct

             (1)  For the purposes of this Part, 2 or more contraventions of a civil remedy provision referred to in subsection (2) are, subject to subsection (3), taken to constitute a single contravention if:

                     (a)  the contraventions are committed by the same person; and

                     (b)  the contraventions arose out of a course of conduct by the person.

             (2)  The civil remedy provisions are the following:

                     (a)  subsection 44(1) (which deals with contraventions of the National Employment Standards);

                     (b)  section 45 (which deals with contraventions of modern awards);

                     (c)  section 50 (which deals with contraventions of enterprise agreements);

                     (d)  section 280 (which deals with contraventions of workplace determinations);

                     (e)  section 293 (which deals with contraventions of national minimum wage orders);

                      (f)  section 305 (which deals with contraventions of equal remuneration orders);

                     (g)  subsection 323(1) (which deals with methods and frequency of payment);

                     (h)  subsection 323(3) (which deals with methods of payment specified in modern awards or enterprise agreements);

                      (i)  subsection 325(1) (which deals with unreasonable requirements on employees to spend or pay amounts);

                    (ia)  subsection 325(1A) (which deals with unreasonable requirements on prospective employees to spend or pay amounts);

                      (j)  subsection 417(1) (which deals with industrial action before the nominal expiry date of an enterprise agreement etc.);

                     (k)  subsection 421(1) (which deals with contraventions of orders in relation to industrial action);

                      (l)  section 434 (which deals with contraventions of Ministerial directions in relation to industrial action);

                    (m)  subsection 530(4) (which deals with notifying Centrelink of certain proposed dismissals);

                     (n)  subsections 535(1), (2) and (4) (which deal with employer obligations in relation to employee records);

                     (o)  subsections 536(1), (2) and (3) (which deal with employer obligations in relation to pay slips);

                     (p)  subsection 745(1) (which deals with contraventions of the extended parental leave provisions);

                     (q)  section 760 (which deals with contraventions of the extended notice of termination provisions);

                      (r)  subsection 785(4) (which deals with notifying Centrelink of certain proposed terminations);

                      (s)  any other civil remedy provisions prescribed by the regulations.

             (3)  Subsection (1) does not apply to a contravention of a civil remedy provision that is committed by a person after a court has imposed a pecuniary penalty on the person for an earlier contravention of the provision.

557A  Serious contravention of civil remedy provisions

             (1)  A contravention of a civil remedy provision by a person is a serious contravention if:

                     (a)  the person knowingly contravened the provision; and

                     (b)  the person’s conduct constituting the contravention was part of a systematic pattern of conduct relating to one or more other persons.

Note:          For the liability of bodies corporate for serious contraventions, see section 557B.

Example:    Generally, subsection 323(1) requires an employer to pay an employee the full amount payable to the employee in relation to the performance of work.

                   A contravention of subsection 323(1) is a serious contravention if the employer knowingly does not pay the employee in full (even if the employer does not know the exact amount of the underpayment) and that contravention is part of a systematic pattern of conduct by the employer. The systematic pattern of conduct of the employer may relate to more than one employee and may consist of different contraventions.

Systematic pattern of conduct

             (2)  In determining whether the person’s conduct constituting the contravention of the provision was part of a systematic pattern of conduct, a court may have regard to:

                     (a)  the number of contraventions (the relevant contraventions) of this Act committed by the person; and

                     (b)  the period over which the relevant contraventions occurred; and

                     (c)  the number of other persons affected by the relevant contraventions; and

                    (ca)  the person’s response, or failure to respond, to any complaints made about the relevant contraventions; and

                     (d)  except if the provision contravened is section 535—whether the person also contravened subsection 535(1), (2) or (4) by failing to make or keep, in accordance with that section, an employee record relating to the conduct constituting the relevant contraventions; and

                     (e)  except if the provision contravened is section 536—whether the person also contravened subsection 536(1), (2) or (3) by failing to give, in accordance with that section, a pay slip relating to the conduct constituting the relevant contraventions.

             (3)  Subsection (2) does not limit the matters that a court may have regard to.

             (4)  Subsection 557(1) does not apply for the purposes of determining whether the person’s conduct was part of a systematic pattern of conduct.

             (5)  Subsection (4) does not otherwise affect the operation of subsection 557(1) in relation to serious contraventions of civil remedy provisions.

Involvement in a serious contravention

          (5A)  A person (the involved person) who is involved in a contravention of a civil remedy provision by another person (the principal) commits a serious contravention of the provision only if:

                     (a)  the principal’s contravention was a serious contravention; and

                     (b)  the involved person knew that the principal’s contravention was a serious contravention.

Application for a serious contravention order and alternative orders

             (6)  If a person is applying for an order in relation to a serious contravention of a civil remedy provision, the person’s application under subsection 539(2) must specify the relevant serious contravention.

             (7)  If, in proceedings for an order in relation to a serious contravention of a civil remedy provision, the court:

                     (a)  is not satisfied that the person has committed a serious contravention against that provision; and

                     (b)  is satisfied that the person has contravened that provision;

the court may make a pecuniary penalty order against the person not for the serious contravention but for the contravention of that provision.

557B  Liability of bodies corporate for serious contravention

             (1)  For the purposes of subsection 557A(1), a body corporate knowingly contravenes a civil remedy provision if the body corporate expressly, tacitly or impliedly authorised the contravention.

             (2)  This section does not limit section 793.

557C  Presumption where records not provided

             (1)  If:

                     (a)  in proceedings relating to a contravention by an employer of a civil remedy provision referred to in subsection (3), an applicant makes an allegation in relation to a matter; and

                     (b)  the employer was required:

                              (i)  by subsection 535(1) or (2) to make and keep a record; or

                             (ii)  by regulations made for the purposes of subsection 535(3) to make available for inspection a record; or

                            (iii)  by subsection 536(1) or (2) to give a pay slip;

                            in relation to the matter; and

                     (c)  the employer failed to comply with the requirement;

the employer has the burden of disproving the allegation.

             (2)  Subsection (1) does not apply if the employer provides a reasonable excuse as to why there has not been compliance with subsection 557C(1)(b).

             (3)  The civil remedy provisions are the following:

                     (a)  subsection 44(1) (which deals with contraventions of the National Employment Standards);

                     (b)  section 45 (which deals with contraventions of modern awards);

                     (c)  section 50 (which deals with contraventions of enterprise agreements);

                     (d)  section 280 (which deals with contraventions of workplace determinations);

                     (e)  section 293 (which deals with contraventions of national minimum wage orders);

                      (f)  section 305 (which deals with contraventions of equal remuneration orders);

                     (g)  subsection 323(1) (which deals with methods and frequency of payment);

                     (h)  subsection 323(3) (which deals with methods of payment specified in modern awards or enterprise agreements);

                      (i)  subsection 325(1) (which deals with unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amounts);

                      (j)  any other civil remedy provisions prescribed by the regulations.

558  Regulations dealing with infringement notices

             (1)  The regulations may provide for a person who is alleged to have contravened a civil remedy provision to pay a penalty to the Commonwealth as an alternative to civil proceedings.

             (2)  The penalty must not exceed one‑tenth of the maximum penalty that a court could have ordered the person to pay under section 546 if the court was satisfied that the person had contravened that provision.

Division 4AResponsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies for certain contraventions

558A  Meaning of franchisee entity and responsible franchisor entity

             (1)  A person is a franchisee entity of a franchise if:

                     (a)  the person is a franchisee (including a subfranchisee) in relation to the franchise; and

                     (b)  the business conducted by the person under the franchise is substantially or materially associated with intellectual property relating to the franchise.

             (2)  A person is a responsible franchisor entity for a franchisee entity of a franchise if:

                     (a)  the person is a franchisor (including a subfranchisor) in relation to the franchise; and

                     (b)  the person has a significant degree of influence or control over the franchisee entity’s affairs.

558B  Responsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies for certain contraventions

Responsible franchisor entities

             (1)  A person contravenes this subsection if:

                     (a)  an employer who is a franchisee entity of a franchise contravenes a civil remedy provision referred to in subsection (7); and

                     (b)  the person is a responsible franchisor entity for the franchisee entity; and

                     (c)  the contravention by the franchisee entity occurs in the franchisee entity’s capacity as a franchisee entity; and

                     (d)  either:

                              (i)  the responsible franchisor entity or an officer (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001) of the responsible franchisor entity knew or could reasonably be expected to have known that the contravention by the franchisee entity would occur; or

                             (ii)  at the time of the contravention by the franchisee entity, the responsible franchisor entity or an officer (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001) of the responsible franchisor entity knew or could reasonably be expected to have known that a contravention by the franchisee entity of the same or a similar character was likely to occur.

Note:          This subsection is a civil remedy provision (see this Part).

Holding companies

             (2)  A person contravenes this subsection if:

                     (a)  the person is a body corporate; and

                     (b)  a subsidiary (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001) of the body corporate who is an employer contravenes a civil remedy provision referred to in subsection (7); and

                     (c)  either:

                              (i)  the body corporate or an officer (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001) of the body corporate knew or could reasonably be expected to have known that the contravention by the subsidiary would occur; or

                             (ii)  at the time of the contravention by the subsidiary, the body corporate or an officer (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001) of the body corporate knew or could reasonably be expected to have known that a contravention by the subsidiary of the same or a similar character was likely to occur.

Note:          This subsection is a civil remedy provision (see this Part).

Reasonable steps to prevent a contravention of the same or a similar character

             (3)  A person does not contravene subsection (1) or (2) if, as at the time of the contravention referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (2)(b), the person had taken reasonable steps to prevent a contravention by the franchisee entity or subsidiary of the same or a similar character.

             (4)  For the purposes of subsection (3), in determining whether a person took reasonable steps to prevent a contravention by a franchisee entity or subsidiary (the contravening employer) of the same or a similar character, a court may have regard to all relevant matters, including the following:

                     (a)  the size and resources of the franchise or body corporate (as the case may be);

                     (b)  the extent to which the person had the ability to influence or control the contravening employer’s conduct in relation to the contravention referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (2)(b) or a contravention of the same or a similar character;

                     (c)  any action the person took directed towards ensuring that the contravening employer had a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the requirements under the applicable provisions referred to in subsection (7);

                     (d)  the person’s arrangements (if any) for assessing the contravening employer’s compliance with the applicable provisions referred to in subsection (7);

                     (e)  the person’s arrangements (if any) for receiving and addressing possible complaints about alleged underpayments or other alleged contraventions of this Act within:

                              (i)  the franchise; or

                             (ii)  the body corporate or any subsidiary (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001) of the body corporate;

                            as the case may be;

                      (f)  the extent to which the person’s arrangements (whether legal or otherwise) with the contravening employer encourage or require the contravening employer to comply with this Act or any other workplace law.

             (5)  Subsection (4) does not limit subsection (3).

Civil proceedings in relation to contravention by franchisee entity or subsidiary not required

             (6)  To avoid doubt, a reference in paragraph (1)(a) or (2)(b) to a contravention by a franchisee entity or subsidiary includes any contravention whether or not an order has been sought or made against the franchisee entity or subsidiary under Division 2 for the contravention.

Relevant civil remedy provisions

             (7)  The civil remedy provisions are the following:

                     (a)  subsection 44(1) (which deals with contraventions of the National Employment Standards);

                     (b)  section 45 (which deals with contraventions of modern awards);

                     (c)  section 50 (which deals with contraventions of enterprise agreements);

                     (d)  section 280 (which deals with contraventions of workplace determinations);

                     (e)  section 293 (which deals with contraventions of national minimum wage orders);

                      (f)  section 305 (which deals with contraventions of equal remuneration orders);

                     (g)  subsection 323(1) (which deals with methods and frequency of payment);

                     (h)  subsection 323(3) (which deals with methods of payment specified in modern awards or enterprise agreements);

                      (i)  subsection 325(1) (which deals with unreasonable requirements on employees to spend or pay amounts);

                    (ia)  subsection 325(1A) (which deals with unreasonable requirements on prospective employees to spend or pay amounts);

                      (j)  subsection 328(1), (2) or (3) (which deal with employer obligations in relation to guarantees of annual earnings);

                     (k)  subsection 357(1) (which deals with misrepresenting employment as an independent contracting arrangement);

                      (l)  section 358 (which deals with dismissing an employee to engage as an independent contractor);

                    (m)  section 359 (which deals with misrepresentations to engage an individual as an independent contractor);

                     (n)  subsection 535(1), (2) or (4) (which deal with employer obligations in relation to employee records);

                     (o)  subsection 536(1), (2) or (3) (which deal with employer obligations in relation to pay slips).

558C  Right of responsible franchisor entity or holding company to recover

             (1)  This section applies if:

                     (a)  a person pays an amount to, or on behalf of, an employee pursuant to an order under subsection 545(1) relating to a contravention by the person of subsection 558B(1) or (2) in relation to a franchisee entity or subsidiary (the contravening employer); and

                     (b)  the person has not otherwise recovered from the contravening employer an amount (the recoverable amount) equal to the amount paid by the person.

             (2)  The person may commence proceedings against the contravening employer for payment to the person of so much of the recoverable amount as has not been recovered.

             (3)  The proceedings may be commenced in:

                     (a)  the Federal Court; or

                     (b)  the Federal Circuit Court; or

                     (c)  an eligible State or Territory court.

             (4)  The court may make an order requiring the contravening employer to pay the person the recoverable amount (or so much of it as has not been recovered from the contravening employer), if the court is satisfied that this section applies as referred to in subsection (1).

             (5)  In making the order, the court must, on application, include an amount of interest in the sum ordered, unless good cause is shown to the contrary.

             (6)  Without limiting subsection (5), in determining the amount of interest, the court must take into account the period between the day when the amount referred to in paragraph (1)(a) was paid by the person and the day when the order is made.

             (7)  Proceedings cannot be commenced under this section more than 6 years after the time when the person paid the amount referred to in paragraph (1)(a).

Division 5Unclaimed money

559  Unclaimed money

Payment to the Commonwealth

             (1)  An employer may pay an amount to the Commonwealth if:

                     (a)  the employer was required to pay the amount to an employee under this Act or a fair work instrument; and

                     (b)  the employee has left the employment of the employer without having been paid the amount; and

                     (c)  the employer is unable to pay the amount to the employee because the employer does not know the employee’s whereabouts.

Discharge of employer

             (2)  Payment of the amount to the Commonwealth is a sufficient discharge to the employer, as against the employee, for the amount paid.

Payment where money later claimed

             (3)  The Fair Work Ombudsman, on behalf of the Commonwealth, must pay an amount to a person if:

                     (a)  the amount has been paid to the Commonwealth under this section; and