Contents
Chapter 1—Introduction 1
Part 1‑1—Introduction 1
Division 1—Preliminary 1
1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1
2............ Commencement................................................................................... 1
Division 2—Object of this Act 4
3............ Object of this Act................................................................................ 4
Division 3—Guide to this Act 6
4............ Guide to this Act................................................................................. 6
5............ Terms and conditions of employment (Chapter 2).............................. 7
6............ Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc. (Chapter 3) 8
7............ Compliance and enforcement (Chapter 4)........................................... 9
8............ Administration (Chapter 5)................................................................. 9
9............ Miscellaneous (Chapter 6)................................................................ 10
9A......... Application, transitional and saving provisions for amendments (Schedules) 11
Part 1‑2—Definitions 12
Division 1—Introduction 12
10.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 12
11.......... Meanings of employee and employer................................................ 12
Division 2—The Dictionary 13
12.......... The Dictionary.................................................................................. 13
Division 3—Definitions relating to the meanings of employee, employer etc. 47
13.......... Meaning of national system employee.............................................. 47
14.......... Meaning of national system employer.............................................. 47
14A....... Transitional matters relating to employers etc. becoming, or ceasing to be, national system employers etc. 49
15.......... Ordinary meanings of employee and employer................................. 50
Division 4—Other definitions 51
16.......... Meaning of base rate of pay............................................................. 51
17.......... Meaning of child of a person............................................................ 52
17A....... Meaning of directly and indirectly (in relation to TCF work)............ 52
18.......... Meaning of full rate of pay................................................................ 53
19.......... Meaning of industrial action............................................................. 54
20.......... Meaning of ordinary hours of work for award/agreement free employees 55
21.......... Meaning of pieceworker................................................................... 56
22.......... Meanings of service and continuous service..................................... 57
23.......... Meaning of small business employer................................................ 60
23A....... Terms relating to superannuation...................................................... 61
Part 1‑3—Application of this Act 63
Division 1—Introduction 63
24.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 63
25.......... Meanings of employee and employer................................................ 63
Division 2—Interaction with State and Territory laws 64
26.......... Act excludes State or Territory industrial laws.................................. 64
27.......... State and Territory laws that are not excluded by section 26............. 66
28.......... Act excludes prescribed State and Territory laws.............................. 67
29.......... Interaction of modern awards and enterprise agreements with State and Territory laws 68
30.......... Act may exclude State and Territory laws etc. in other cases............ 68
Division 2A—Application of this Act in States that refer matters before 1 July 2009 69
30A....... Meaning of terms used in this Division............................................ 69
30B....... Meaning of referring State................................................................ 74
30C....... Extended meaning of national system employee............................... 77
30D....... Extended meaning of national system employer............................... 77
30E........ Extended ordinary meanings of employee and employer................... 78
30F........ Extended meaning of outworker entity.............................................. 78
30G....... General protections........................................................................... 79
30H....... Division only has effect if supported by reference............................ 79
Division 2B—Application of this Act in States that refer matters after 1 July 2009 but on or before 1 January 2010 80
30K....... Meaning of terms used in this Division............................................ 80
30L........ Meaning of referring State................................................................ 85
30M...... Extended meaning of national system employee............................... 88
30N....... Extended meaning of national system employer............................... 88
30P........ Extended ordinary meanings of employee and employer................... 89
30Q....... Extended meaning of outworker entity.............................................. 89
30R....... General protections........................................................................... 90
30S........ Division only has effect if supported by reference............................ 90
Division 3—Geographical application of this Act 91
31.......... Exclusion of persons etc. insufficiently connected with Australia..... 91
32.......... Regulations may modify application of this Act in certain parts of Australia 91
32A....... Rules may modify application of this Act in Norfolk Island............. 92
33.......... Extension of this Act to the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf 93
34.......... Extension of this Act beyond the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf 94
35.......... Meanings of Australian employer and Australian‑based employee.. 96
35A....... Regulations excluding application of Act.......................................... 96
36.......... Geographical application of offences................................................ 97
Division 4—Miscellaneous 98
37.......... Act binds Crown............................................................................... 98
38.......... Act not to apply so as to exceed Commonwealth power................... 98
39.......... Acquisition of property..................................................................... 99
40.......... Interaction between fair work instruments and public sector employment laws 99
40A....... Application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.............................. 100
Chapter 2—Terms and conditions of employment 101
Part 2‑1—Core provisions for this Chapter 101
Division 1—Introduction 101
41.......... Guide to this Part............................................................................ 101
42.......... Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 102
Division 2—Core provisions for this Chapter 103
Subdivision A—Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act 103
43.......... Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act....... 103
Subdivision B—Terms and conditions of employment provided by the National Employment Standards 104
44.......... Contravening the National Employment Standards......................... 104
Subdivision C—Terms and conditions of employment provided by a modern award 104
45.......... Contravening a modern award........................................................ 104
46.......... The significance of a modern award applying to a person............... 104
47.......... When a modern award applies to an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity 105
48.......... When a modern award covers an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity 106
49.......... When a modern award is in operation............................................. 107
Subdivision D—Terms and conditions of employment provided by an enterprise agreement 108
50.......... Contravening an enterprise agreement............................................. 108
51.......... The significance of an enterprise agreement applying to a person... 108
52.......... When an enterprise agreement applies to an employer, employee or employee organisation 108
53.......... When an enterprise agreement covers an employer, employee or employee organisation 109
54.......... When an enterprise agreement is in operation................................. 110
Division 3—Interaction between the National Employment Standards, modern awards and enterprise agreements 112
Subdivision A—Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or an enterprise agreement 112
55.......... Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or enterprise agreement 112
56.......... Terms of a modern award or enterprise agreement contravening section 55 have no effect 114
Subdivision B—Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements 115
57.......... Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements...... 115
57A....... Designated outworker terms of a modern award continue to apply. 115
Subdivision C—Interaction between one or more enterprise agreements 116
58.......... Only one enterprise agreement can apply to an employee............... 116
Part 2‑2—The National Employment Standards 118
Division 1—Introduction 118
59.......... Guide to this Part............................................................................ 118
60.......... Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 119
Division 2—The National Employment Standards 120
61.......... The National Employment Standards are minimum standards applying to employment of employees 120
Division 3—Maximum weekly hours 121
62.......... Maximum weekly hours................................................................. 121
63.......... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for averaging of hours of work 122
64.......... Averaging of hours of work for award/agreement free employees. 123
Division 4—Requests for flexible working arrangements 124
65.......... Requests for flexible working arrangements................................... 124
66.......... State and Territory laws that are not excluded................................. 126
Division 5—Parental leave and related entitlements 127
Subdivision A—General 127
67.......... General rule—employee must have completed at least 12 months of service 127
68.......... General rule for adoption‑related leave—child must be under 16 etc. 129
69.......... Transfer of employment situations in which employee is entitled to continue on leave etc. 129
Subdivision B—Parental leave 130
70.......... Entitlement to unpaid parental leave................................................ 130
71.......... The period of leave—other than for members of an employee couple who each intend to take leave 130
72.......... The period of leave—members of an employee couple who each intend to take leave 132
73.......... Pregnant employee may be required to take unpaid parental leave within 6 weeks before the birth 134
74.......... Notice and evidence requirements................................................... 136
75.......... Extending period of unpaid parental leave—extending to use more of available parental leave period 137
76.......... Extending period of unpaid parental leave—extending for up to 12 months beyond available parental leave period........................................................................................................ 139
77.......... Reducing period of unpaid parental leave........................................ 140
77A....... Pregnancy ends (other than by birth of a living child) or child born alive dies 140
78.......... Employee who ceases to have responsibility for care of child......... 142
79.......... Interaction with paid leave............................................................... 143
79A....... Keeping in touch days..................................................................... 143
79B....... Unpaid parental leave not extended by paid leave or keeping in touch days 144
Subdivision C—Other entitlements 145
80.......... Unpaid special maternity leave........................................................ 145
81.......... Transfer to a safe job....................................................................... 146
81A....... Paid no safe job leave...................................................................... 147
82.......... Employee on paid no safe job leave may be asked to provide a further medical certificate 147
82A....... Unpaid no safe job leave................................................................. 148
83.......... Consultation with employee on unpaid parental leave..................... 148
84.......... Return to work guarantee................................................................ 149
84A....... Replacement employees.................................................................. 149
85.......... Unpaid pre‑adoption leave.............................................................. 150
Division 6—Annual leave 152
86.......... Division applies to employees other than casual employees............ 152
87.......... Entitlement to annual leave.............................................................. 152
88.......... Taking paid annual leave................................................................. 153
89.......... Employee not taken to be on paid annual leave at certain times....... 154
90.......... Payment for annual leave................................................................ 154
91.......... Transfer of employment situations that affect entitlement to payment for period of untaken paid annual leave 154
92.......... Paid annual leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms 155
93.......... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out and taking paid annual leave........................................................................................................ 155
94.......... Cashing out and taking paid annual leave for award/agreement free employees 156
Division 7—Personal/carer’s leave, compassionate leave and unpaid family and domestic violence leave 158
Subdivision A—Paid personal/carer’s leave 158
95.......... Subdivision applies to employees other than casual employees...... 158
96.......... Entitlement to paid personal/carer’s leave........................................ 158
97.......... Taking paid personal/carer’s leave.................................................. 158
98.......... Employee taken not to be on paid personal/carer’s leave on public holiday 159
99.......... Payment for paid personal/carer’s leave.......................................... 159
100........ Paid personal/carer’s leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms 159
101........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out paid personal/carer’s leave 159
Subdivision B—Unpaid carer’s leave 160
102........ Entitlement to unpaid carer’s leave.................................................. 160
103........ Taking unpaid carer’s leave............................................................. 160
Subdivision C—Compassionate leave 161
104........ Entitlement to compassionate leave................................................. 161
105........ Taking compassionate leave............................................................ 161
106........ Payment for compassionate leave (other than for casual employees) 162
Subdivision CA—Unpaid family and domestic violence leave 162
106A..... Entitlement to unpaid family and domestic violence leave............... 162
106B..... Taking unpaid family and domestic violence leave.......................... 163
106C..... Confidentiality................................................................................. 164
106D..... Operation of unpaid family and domestic violence leave and leave for victims of crime 164
106E...... Entitlement to days of leave............................................................. 165
Subdivision D—Notice and evidence requirements 165
107........ Notice and evidence requirements................................................... 165
Division 8—Community service leave 167
108........ Entitlement to be absent from employment for engaging in eligible community service activity 167
109........ Meaning of eligible community service activity............................... 167
110........ Notice and evidence requirements................................................... 169
111........ Payment to employees (other than casuals) on jury service............. 169
112........ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................................. 171
Division 9—Long service leave 173
113........ Entitlement to long service leave..................................................... 173
113A..... Enterprise agreements may contain terms discounting service under prior agreements etc. in certain circumstances........................................................................................................ 175
Division 10—Public holidays 177
114........ Entitlement to be absent from employment on public holiday......... 177
115........ Meaning of public holiday.............................................................. 178
116........ Payment for absence on public holiday........................................... 179
Division 11—Notice of termination and redundancy pay 180
Subdivision A—Notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice 180
117........ Requirement for notice of termination or payment in lieu................ 180
118........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for notice of termination by employees 181
Subdivision B—Redundancy pay 181
119........ Redundancy pay.............................................................................. 181
120........ Variation of redundancy pay for other employment or incapacity to pay 182
121........ Exclusions from obligation to pay redundancy pay......................... 183
122........ Transfer of employment situations that affect the obligation to pay redundancy pay 183
Subdivision C—Limits on scope of this Division 185
123........ Limits on scope of this Division..................................................... 185
Division 12—Fair Work Information Statement 187
124........ Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Fair Work Information Statement 187
125........ Giving new employees the Fair Work Information Statement......... 187
Division 13—Miscellaneous 189
126........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for school‑based apprentices and trainees to be paid loadings in lieu.................................................................................................. 189
127........ Regulations about what modern awards and enterprise agreements can do 189
128........ Relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements etc. permitted by this Part for award/agreement free employees................................................................................ 190
129........ Regulations about what can be agreed to etc. in relation to award/agreement free employees 190
130........ Restriction on taking or accruing leave or absence while receiving workers’ compensation 190
131........ Relationship with other Commonwealth laws................................. 191
Part 2‑3—Modern awards 192
Division 1—Introduction 192
132........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 192
133........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 193
Division 2—Overarching provisions 194
134........ The modern awards objective.......................................................... 194
135........ Special provisions relating to modern award minimum wages........ 195
Division 3—Terms of modern awards 196
Subdivision A—Preliminary 196
136........ What can be included in modern awards......................................... 196
137........ Terms that contravene section 136 have no effect........................... 197
138........ Achieving the modern awards objective.......................................... 197
Subdivision B—Terms that may be included in modern awards 197
139........ Terms that may be included in modern awards—general................ 197
140........ Outworker terms............................................................................. 198
141........ Industry‑specific redundancy schemes............................................ 199
142........ Incidental and machinery terms....................................................... 200
Subdivision C—Terms that must be included in modern awards 201
143........ Coverage terms of modern awards other than modern enterprise awards and State reference public sector modern awards........................................................................................................ 201
143A..... Coverage terms of modern enterprise awards................................. 203
143B..... Coverage terms of State reference public sector modern awards..... 205
144........ Flexibility terms.............................................................................. 206
145........ Effect of individual flexibility arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term 207
145A..... Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work................. 208
146........ Terms about settling disputes.......................................................... 208
147........ Ordinary hours of work.................................................................. 209
148........ Base and full rates of pay for pieceworkers.................................... 209
149........ Automatic variation of allowances.................................................. 209
149B..... Term requiring avoidance of liability to pay superannuation guarantee charge 210
149C..... Default fund terms.......................................................................... 210
149D..... Default fund term must provide for contributions to be made to certain funds 210
Subdivision D—Terms that must not be included in modern awards 212
150........ Objectionable terms......................................................................... 212
151........ Terms about payments and deductions for benefit of employer etc. 212
152........ Terms about right of entry............................................................... 213
153........ Terms that are discriminatory.......................................................... 213
154........ Terms that contain State‑based differences...................................... 214
155........ Terms dealing with long service leave............................................. 215
Division 4A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms of modern awards 216
Subdivision A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms 216
156A..... 4 yearly reviews of default fund terms............................................ 216
Subdivision B—The first stage of the 4 yearly review 217
156B..... Making the Default Superannuation List......................................... 217
156C..... Applications to list a standard MySuper product............................ 217
156D..... Submissions on applications to list a standard MySuper product... 218
156E...... Determining applications to list a standard MySuper product......... 219
156F...... First stage criteria............................................................................ 219
Subdivision C—Second stage of the 4 yearly review 220
156G..... Review of the default fund term of modern awards........................ 220
156H..... Default fund term must specify certain superannuation funds......... 221
156J...... Variation to comply with section 149D........................................... 222
156K..... Transitional authorisation for certain superannuation funds............ 222
Subdivision D—The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products 222
156L...... The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products.............. 222
156M.... FWC to invite applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule 223
156N..... Making applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule 223
156P...... FWC to determine applications....................................................... 224
156Q..... The first stage test........................................................................... 225
156R..... Submissions about the first stage test.............................................. 225
156S...... The second stage test....................................................................... 226
156T...... Submissions about the second stage test......................................... 226
Subdivision E—Publishing documents under this Division 227
156U..... Publishing documents under this Division...................................... 227
Division 5—Exercising modern award powers 228
Subdivision A—Exercise of powers if necessary to achieve modern awards objective 228
157........ FWC may vary etc. modern awards if necessary to achieve modern awards objective 228
158........ Applications to vary, revoke or make modern award...................... 229
Subdivision B—Other situations 231
159........ Variation of modern award to update or omit name of employer, organisation or outworker entity 231
159A..... Variation of default fund term of modern award............................. 232
160........ Variation of modern award to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error 233
161........ Variation of modern award on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission 234
Division 6—General provisions relating to modern award powers 235
162........ General............................................................................................ 235
163........ Special criteria relating to changing coverage of modern awards.... 235
164........ Special criteria for revoking modern awards................................... 236
165........ When variation determinations come into operation, other than determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages.............................................................................. 236
166........ When variation determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages come into operation 237
167........ Special rules relating to retrospective variations of awards............. 238
168........ Varied modern award must be published........................................ 239
Division 7—Additional provisions relating to modern enterprise awards 240
168A..... Modern enterprise awards............................................................... 240
168B..... The modern enterprise awards objective......................................... 241
168C..... Rules about making and revoking modern enterprise awards......... 241
168D..... Rules about changing coverage of modern enterprise awards......... 243
Division 8—Additional provisions relating to State reference public sector modern awards 244
168E...... State reference public sector modern awards................................... 244
168F...... The State reference public sector modern awards objective............. 244
168G..... Making State reference public sector modern awards on application 245
168H..... State reference public sector modern awards may contain State‑based differences 246
168J...... When State reference public sector modern awards come into operation 246
168K..... Rules about revoking State reference public sector modern awards 247
168L...... Rules about varying coverage of State reference public sector modern awards 248
Part 2‑4—Enterprise agreements 249
Division 1—Introduction 249
169........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 249
170........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 250
171........ Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 251
Division 2—Employers and employees may make enterprise agreements 252
172........ Making an enterprise agreement...................................................... 252
Division 3—Bargaining and representation during bargaining 255
173........ Notice of employee representational rights...................................... 255
174........ Content and form of notice of employee representational rights...... 256
176........ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are not greenfields agreements 257
177........ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are greenfields agreements 259
178........ Appointment of bargaining representatives—other matters............. 260
178A..... Revocation of appointment of bargaining representatives etc.......... 261
178B..... Notified negotiation period for a proposed single‑enterprise agreement that is a greenfields agreement 262
Division 4—Approval of enterprise agreements 263
Subdivision A—Pre‑approval steps and applications for the FWC’s approval 263
179........ Disclosure by organisations that are bargaining representatives...... 263
179A..... Disclosure by employers................................................................. 264
180........ Employees must be given a copy of a proposed enterprise agreement etc. 265
181........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed enterprise agreement 267
182........ When an enterprise agreement is made............................................ 268
183........ Entitlement of an employee organisation to have an enterprise agreement cover it 269
184........ Multi‑enterprise agreement to be varied if not all employees approve the agreement 270
185........ Bargaining representative must apply for the FWC’s approval of an enterprise agreement 271
185A..... Material that must accompany an application under subsection 182(4) for approval of a greenfields agreement 272
Subdivision B—Approval of enterprise agreements by the FWC 272
186........ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—general requirements 272
187........ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—additional requirements 274
188........ When employees have genuinely agreed to an enterprise agreement 276
188A..... Disclosure documents..................................................................... 277
189........ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement that does not pass better off overall test—public interest test 277
190........ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement with undertakings....... 278
191........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 279
192........ When the FWC may refuse to approve an enterprise agreement..... 279
Subdivision C—Better off overall test 280
193........ Passing the better off overall test..................................................... 280
Subdivision D—Unlawful terms 282
194........ Meaning of unlawful term............................................................... 282
195........ Meaning of discriminatory term..................................................... 283
195A..... Meaning of objectionable emergency management term................ 284
Subdivision E—Approval requirements relating to particular kinds of employees 287
196........ Shiftworkers................................................................................... 287
197........ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement includes pieceworker term.... 287
198........ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement does not include a pieceworker term 288
199........ School‑based apprentices and school‑based trainees....................... 288
200........ Outworkers..................................................................................... 289
Subdivision F—Other matters 289
201........ Approval decision to note certain matters........................................ 289
Division 5—Mandatory terms of enterprise agreements 291
202........ Enterprise agreements to include a flexibility term etc..................... 291
203........ Requirements to be met by a flexibility term................................... 292
204........ Effect of arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term 293
205........ Enterprise agreements to include a consultation term etc................. 294
Division 6—Base rate of pay under enterprise agreements 296
206........ Base rate of pay under an enterprise agreement must not be less than the modern award rate or the national minimum wage order rate etc.......................................................................... 296
Division 7—Variation and termination of enterprise agreements 298
Subdivision A—Variation of enterprise agreements by employers and employees 298
207........ Variation of an enterprise agreement may be made by employers and employees 298
208........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed variation of an enterprise agreement 299
209........ When a variation of an enterprise agreement is made...................... 299
210........ Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of an enterprise agreement 300
211........ When the FWC must approve a variation of an enterprise agreement 300
212........ FWC may approve a variation of an enterprise agreement with undertakings 303
213........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 303
214........ When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of an enterprise agreement 304
215........ Approval decision to note undertakings.......................................... 304
216........ When variation comes into operation.............................................. 305
Subdivision B—Variations of enterprise agreements where there is ambiguity, uncertainty or discrimination 305
217........ Variation of an enterprise agreement to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty 305
217A..... FWC may deal with certain disputes about variations..................... 305
218........ Variation of an enterprise agreement on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission 306
Subdivision C—Termination of enterprise agreements by employers and employees 307
219........ Employers and employees may agree to terminate an enterprise agreement 307
220........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed termination of an enterprise agreement 307
221........ When termination of an enterprise agreement is agreed to............... 308
222........ Application for the FWC’s approval of a termination of an enterprise agreement 308
223........ When the FWC must approve a termination of an enterprise agreement.. 309
224........ When termination comes into operation.......................................... 310
Subdivision D—Termination of enterprise agreements after nominal expiry date 310
225........ Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date 310
226........ When the FWC must terminate an enterprise agreement................. 310
227........ When termination comes into operation.......................................... 311
Division 8—FWC’s general role in facilitating bargaining 312
Subdivision A—Bargaining orders 312
228........ Bargaining representatives must meet the good faith bargaining requirements 312
229........ Applications for bargaining orders.................................................. 313
230........ When the FWC may make a bargaining order................................. 314
231........ What a bargaining order must specify............................................. 315
232........ Operation of a bargaining order...................................................... 317
233........ Contravening a bargaining order..................................................... 317
Subdivision B—Serious breach declarations 317
234........ Applications for serious breach declarations................................... 317
235........ When the FWC may make a serious breach declaration.................. 318
Subdivision C—Majority support determinations and scope orders 320
236........ Majority support determinations..................................................... 320
237........ When the FWC must make a majority support determination......... 320
238........ Scope orders................................................................................... 321
239........ Operation of a scope order.............................................................. 323
Subdivision D—FWC may deal with a bargaining dispute on request 324
240........ Application for the FWC to deal with a bargaining dispute............. 324
Division 9—Low‑paid bargaining 325
241........ Objects of this Division.................................................................. 325
242........ Low‑paid authorisations.................................................................. 325
243........ When the FWC must make a low‑paid authorisation...................... 326
244........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations—general................................ 328
245........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations—enterprise agreement etc. comes into operation 329
246........ FWC’s assistance for the low‑paid................................................. 329
Division 10—Single interest employer authorisations 331
Subdivision A—Declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement 331
247........ Ministerial declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement 331
Subdivision B—Single interest employer authorisations 332
248........ Single interest employer authorisations........................................... 332
249........ When the FWC must make a single interest employer authorisation 332
250........ What a single interest employer authorisation must specify............ 334
251........ Variation of single interest employer authorisations........................ 334
252........ Variation to extend period single interest employer authorisation is in operation 335
Division 11—Other matters 336
253........ Terms of an enterprise agreement that are of no effect.................... 336
254........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 336
254A..... Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions.................... 337
255........ Part does not empower the FWC to make certain orders................. 337
255A..... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................................. 338
256........ Prospective employers and employees............................................ 339
256A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described 339
257........ Enterprise agreements may incorporate material in force from time to time etc. 339
Part 2‑5—Workplace determinations 340
Division 1—Introduction 340
258........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 340
259........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 341
Division 2—Low‑paid workplace determinations 342
260........ Applications for low‑paid workplace determinations...................... 342
261........ When the FWC must make a consent low‑paid workplace determination 343
262........ When the FWC must make a special low‑paid workplace determination—general requirements 344
263........ When the FWC must make a special low‑paid workplace determination—additional requirements 345
264........ Terms etc. of a low‑paid workplace determination.......................... 346
265........ No other terms................................................................................ 346
Division 3—Industrial action related workplace determinations 347
266........ When the FWC must make an industrial action related workplace determination 347
267........ Terms etc. of an industrial action related workplace determination.. 348
268........ No other terms................................................................................ 349
Division 4—Bargaining related workplace determinations 350
269........ When the FWC must make a bargaining related workplace determination 350
270........ Terms etc. of a bargaining related workplace determination............ 351
271........ No other terms................................................................................ 353
271A..... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................................. 353
Division 5—Core terms, mandatory terms and agreed terms of workplace determinations etc. 354
272........ Core terms of workplace determinations......................................... 354
273........ Mandatory terms of workplace determinations............................... 355
274........ Agreed terms for workplace determinations.................................... 356
275........ Factors the FWC must take into account in deciding terms of a workplace determination 357
Division 6—Operation, coverage and interaction etc. of workplace determinations 358
276........ When a workplace determination operates etc................................. 358
277........ Employers, employees and employee organisations covered by a workplace determination 358
278........ Interaction of a workplace determination with enterprise agreements etc. 359
279........ Act applies to a workplace determination as if it were an enterprise agreement 360
Division 7—Other matters 362
280........ Contravening a workplace determination........................................ 362
281........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 362
281AA.. Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions.................... 362
281A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described 363
Part 2‑6—Minimum wages 364
Division 1—Introduction 364
282........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 364
283........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 365
Division 2—Overarching provisions 366
284........ The minimum wages objective........................................................ 366
Division 3—Annual wage reviews 368
Subdivision A—Main provisions 368
285........ Annual wage reviews to be conducted............................................ 368
286........ When annual wage review determinations varying modern awards come into operation 368
287........ When national minimum wage orders come into operation etc........ 369
Subdivision B—Provisions about conduct of annual wage reviews 371
288........ General............................................................................................ 371
289........ Everyone to have a reasonable opportunity to make and comment on submissions 371
290........ President may direct investigations and reports............................... 372
291........ Research must be published............................................................ 373
292........ Varied wage rates must be published.............................................. 373
Division 4—National minimum wage orders 374
293........ Contravening a national minimum wage order................................ 374
294........ Content of national minimum wage order—main provisions.......... 374
295........ Content of national minimum wage order—other matters............... 375
296........ Variation of national minimum wage order to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error 376
297........ When determinations varying national minimum wage orders come into operation 376
298........ Special rule about retrospective variations of national minimum wage orders 377
299........ When a national minimum wage order is in operation..................... 378
Part 2‑7—Equal remuneration 379
Division 1—Introduction 379
300........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 379
301........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 379
Division 2—Equal remuneration orders 380
302........ FWC may make an order requiring equal remuneration.................. 380
303........ Equal remuneration order may increase, but must not reduce, rates of remuneration 381
304........ Equal remuneration order may implement equal remuneration in stages.. 381
305........ Contravening an equal remuneration order...................................... 381
306........ Inconsistency with modern awards, enterprise agreements and orders of the FWC 382
Part 2‑8—Transfer of business 383
Division 1—Introduction 383
307........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 383
308........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 383
309........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 384
Division 2—Transfer of instruments 385
310........ Application of this Division............................................................ 385
311........ When does a transfer of business occur.......................................... 385
312........ Instruments that may transfer.......................................................... 387
313........ Transferring employees and new employer covered by transferable instrument 387
314........ New non‑transferring employees of new employer may be covered by transferable instrument 388
315........ Organisations covered by transferable instrument........................... 389
316........ Transferring employees who are high income employees............... 390
Division 3—Powers of the FWC 392
317........ FWC may make orders in relation to a transfer of business............ 392
318........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and transferring employees 392
319........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and non‑transferring employees 394
320........ Variation of transferable instruments.............................................. 396
Part 2‑9—Other terms and conditions of employment 398
Division 1—Introduction 398
321........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 398
322........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 398
Division 2—Payment of wages etc. 399
323........ Method and frequency of payment.................................................. 399
324........ Permitted deductions....................................................................... 400
325........ Unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amount....................... 400
326........ Certain terms have no effect............................................................ 401
327........ Things given or provided, and amounts required to be spent or paid, in contravention of this Division 402
Division 3—Guarantee of annual earnings 403
328........ Employer obligations in relation to guarantee of annual earnings.... 403
329........ High income employee.................................................................... 404
330........ Guarantee of annual earnings and annual rate of guarantee............. 405
331........ Guaranteed period........................................................................... 406
332........ Earnings.......................................................................................... 406
333........ High income threshold.................................................................... 407
333A..... Prospective employees.................................................................... 408
Chapter 3—Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc. 409
Part 3‑1—General protections 409
Division 1—Introduction 409
334........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 409
335........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 409
336........ Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 410
Division 2—Application of this Part 411
337........ Application of this Part................................................................... 411
338........ Action to which this Part applies..................................................... 411
339........ Additional effect of this Part........................................................... 412
Division 3—Workplace rights 414
340........ Protection........................................................................................ 414
341........ Meaning of workplace right............................................................ 414
342........ Meaning of adverse action.............................................................. 416
343........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 419
344........ Undue influence or pressure........................................................... 419
345........ Misrepresentations.......................................................................... 420
Division 4—Industrial activities 421
346........ Protection........................................................................................ 421
347........ Meaning of engages in industrial activity....................................... 421
348........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 422
349........ Misrepresentations.......................................................................... 422
350........ Inducements—membership action.................................................. 423
Division 5—Other protections 424
351........ Discrimination................................................................................. 424
352........ Temporary absence—illness or injury............................................. 425
353........ Bargaining services fees.................................................................. 425
354........ Coverage by particular instruments................................................. 426
355........ Coercion—allocation of duties etc. to particular person.................. 426
356........ Objectionable terms......................................................................... 427
Division 6—Sham arrangements 428
357........ Misrepresenting employment as independent contracting arrangement 428
358........ Dismissing to engage as independent contractor............................. 428
359........ Misrepresentation to engage as independent contractor................... 428
Division 7—Ancillary rules 430
360........ Multiple reasons for action.............................................................. 430
361........ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise............ 430
362........ Advising, encouraging, inciting or coercing action......................... 430
363........ Actions of industrial associations.................................................... 430
364........ Unincorporated industrial associations............................................ 432
Division 8—Compliance 433
Subdivision A—Contraventions involving dismissal 433
365........ Application for the FWC to deal with a dismissal dispute............... 433
366........ Time for application........................................................................ 433
367........ Application fees.............................................................................. 433
368........ Dealing with a dismissal dispute (other than by arbitration)............ 434
369........ Dealing with a dismissal dispute by arbitration............................... 435
370........ Taking a dismissal dispute to court................................................. 436
Subdivision B—Other contraventions 436
372........ Application for the FWC to deal with a non‑dismissal dispute....... 436
373........ Application fees.............................................................................. 437
374........ Conferences.................................................................................... 437
375........ Advice on general protections court application.............................. 437
Subdivision C—Appeals and costs orders 438
375A..... Appeal rights................................................................................... 438
375B..... Costs orders against parties............................................................. 438
376........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 438
377........ Applications for costs orders.......................................................... 439
377A..... Schedule of costs............................................................................ 439
378........ Contravening costs orders............................................................... 440
Part 3‑2—Unfair dismissal 441
Division 1—Introduction 441
379........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 441
380........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 441
381........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 441
Division 2—Protection from unfair dismissal 443
382........ When a person is protected from unfair dismissal........................... 443
383........ Meaning of minimum employment period...................................... 443
384........ Period of employment..................................................................... 443
Division 3—What is an unfair dismissal 445
385........ What is an unfair dismissal............................................................. 445
386........ Meaning of dismissed..................................................................... 445
387........ Criteria for considering harshness etc............................................. 446
388........ The Small Business Fair Dismissal Code....................................... 447
389........ Meaning of genuine redundancy..................................................... 447
Division 4—Remedies for unfair dismissal 448
390........ When the FWC may order remedy for unfair dismissal.................. 448
391........ Remedy—reinstatement etc............................................................. 448
392........ Remedy—compensation................................................................. 450
393........ Monetary orders may be in instalments........................................... 451
Division 5—Procedural matters 452
394........ Application for unfair dismissal remedy......................................... 452
395........ Application fees.............................................................................. 452
396........ Initial matters to be considered before merits.................................. 453
397........ Matters involving contested facts.................................................... 453
398........ Conferences.................................................................................... 453
399........ Hearings.......................................................................................... 454
399A..... Dismissing applications.................................................................. 454
400........ Appeal rights................................................................................... 455
400A..... Costs orders against parties............................................................. 455
401........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 455
402........ Applications for costs orders.......................................................... 456
403........ Schedule of costs............................................................................ 456
404........ Security for costs............................................................................ 457
405........ Contravening orders under this Part................................................ 457
Part 3‑3—Industrial action 458
Division 1—Introduction 458
406........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 458
407........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 459
Division 2—Protected industrial action 460
Subdivision A—What is protected industrial action 460
408........ Protected industrial action............................................................... 460
409........ Employee claim action..................................................................... 460
410........ Employee response action............................................................... 462
411........ Employer response action............................................................... 462
412........ Pattern bargaining........................................................................... 463
Subdivision B—Common requirements for industrial action to be protected industrial action 464
413........ Common requirements that apply for industrial action to be protected industrial action 464
414........ Notice requirements for industrial action......................................... 466
Subdivision C—Significance of industrial action being protected industrial action 467
415........ Immunity provision......................................................................... 467
416........ Employer response action—employer may refuse to make payments to employees 467
416A..... Employer response action does not affect continuity of employment 467
Division 3—No industrial action before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc. 469
417........ Industrial action must not be organised or engaged in before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc. 469
Division 4—FWC orders stopping etc. industrial action 471
418........ FWC must order that industrial action by employees or employers stop etc. 471
419........ FWC must order that industrial action by non‑national system employees or non‑national system employers stop etc......................................................................................................... 472
420........ Interim orders etc............................................................................ 473
421........ Contravening an order etc............................................................... 473
Division 5—Injunction against industrial action if pattern bargaining is being engaged in 475
422........ Injunction against industrial action if a bargaining representative is engaging in pattern bargaining 475
Division 6—Suspension or termination of protected industrial action by the FWC 476
423........ FWC may suspend or terminate protected industrial action—significant economic harm etc. 476
424........ FWC must suspend or terminate protected industrial action—endangering life etc. 478
425........ FWC must suspend protected industrial action—cooling off.......... 479
426........ FWC must suspend protected industrial action—significant harm to a third party 480
427........ FWC must specify the period of suspension................................... 481
428........ Extension of a period of suspension............................................... 482
429........ Employee claim action without a further protected action ballot after a period of suspension etc. 482
430........ Notice of employee claim action engaged in after a period of suspension etc. 483
Division 7—Ministerial declarations 485
431........ Ministerial declaration terminating industrial action........................ 485
432........ Informing people of declaration...................................................... 485
433........ Ministerial directions to remove or reduce threat............................. 486
434........ Contravening a Ministerial direction............................................... 486
Division 8—Protected action ballots 487
Subdivision A—Introduction 487
435........ Guide to this Division..................................................................... 487
436........ Object of this Division.................................................................... 487
Subdivision B—Protected action ballot orders 488
437........ Application for a protected action ballot order................................. 488
438........ Restriction on when application may be made................................. 489
439........ Joint applications............................................................................. 489
440........ Notice of application....................................................................... 490
441........ Application to be determined within 2 days after it is made............ 490
442........ Dealing with multiple applications together..................................... 490
443........ When the FWC must make a protected action ballot order.............. 491
444........ FWC may decide on ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission and independent advisor 492
445........ Notice of protected action ballot order............................................. 493
446........ Protected action ballot order may require 2 or more protected action ballots to be held at the same time 493
447........ Variation of protected action ballot order........................................ 494
448........ Revocation of protected action ballot order..................................... 494
Subdivision C—Conduct of protected action ballot 494
449........ Protected action ballot to be conducted by Australian Electoral Commission or other specified ballot agent 494
450........ Directions for conduct of protected action ballot............................. 495
451........ Timetable for protected action ballot................................................ 496
452........ Compilation of roll of voters........................................................... 497
453........ Who is eligible to be included on the roll of voters......................... 497
454........ Variation of roll of voters................................................................ 498
455........ Protected action ballot papers.......................................................... 500
456........ Who may vote in protected action ballot.......................................... 500
457........ Results of protected action ballot..................................................... 500
458........ Report about conduct of protected action ballot............................... 500
Subdivision D—Effect of protected action ballot 502
459........ Circumstances in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot 502
460........ Immunity for persons who act in good faith on protected action ballot results 503
461........ Validity of protected action ballot etc. not affected by technical breaches 504
Subdivision E—Compliance 505
462........ Interferences etc. with protected action ballot.................................. 505
463........ Contravening a protected action ballot order etc.............................. 507
Subdivision F—Liability for costs of protected action ballot 507
464........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission 507
465........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by protected action ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission.................................................................................... 508
466........ Costs of legal challenges................................................................. 508
Subdivision G—Miscellaneous 509
467........ Information about employees on roll of voters not to be disclosed. 509
468........ Records........................................................................................... 510
469........ Regulations..................................................................................... 510
Division 9—Payments relating to periods of industrial action 511
Subdivision A—Protected industrial action 511
470........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action 511
471........ Payments relating to partial work bans............................................ 512
472........ Orders by the FWC relating to certain partial work bans................ 514
473........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action 515
Subdivision B—Industrial action that is not protected industrial action 516
474........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action 516
475........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action 517
Subdivision C—Miscellaneous 518
476........ Other responses to industrial action unaffected............................... 518
Division 10—Other matters 519
477........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 519
Part 3‑4—Right of entry 520
Division 1—Introduction 520
478........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 520
479........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 520
480........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 521
Division 2—Entry rights under this Act 522
Subdivision A—Entry to investigate suspected contravention 522
481........ Entry to investigate suspected contravention................................... 522
482........ Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................. 523
483........ Later access to record or document................................................. 524
483AA.. Application to the FWC for access to non‑member records............ 525
Subdivision AA—Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF award workers 526
483A..... Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF award workers 526
483B..... Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................. 528
483C..... Later access to record or document................................................. 529
483D..... Entry onto other premises to access records and documents........... 530
483E...... Later access to record or document—other premises...................... 531
Subdivision B—Entry to hold discussions 532
484........ Entry to hold discussions................................................................ 532
Subdivision C—Requirements for permit holders 533
486........ Permit holder must not contravene this Subdivision....................... 533
487........ Giving entry notice or exemption certificate.................................... 533
488........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................. 534
489........ Producing authority documents....................................................... 534
490........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 535
491........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................... 535
492........ Location of interviews and discussions........................................... 535
492A..... Route to location of interview and discussions............................... 536
493........ Residential premises........................................................................ 536
Division 3—State or Territory OHS rights 537
494........ Official must be permit holder to exercise State or Territory OHS right.. 537
495........ Giving notice of entry..................................................................... 538
496........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................. 539
497........ Producing entry permit.................................................................... 539
498........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 539
499........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................... 539
Division 4—Prohibitions 541
500........ Permit holder must not hinder or obstruct....................................... 541
501........ Person must not refuse or delay entry............................................. 541
502........ Person must not hinder or obstruct permit holder........................... 541
503........ Misrepresentations about things authorised by this Part................. 542
504........ Unauthorised use or disclosure of information or documents......... 542
Division 5—Powers of the FWC 544
Subdivision A—Dealing with disputes 544
505........ FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part........ 544
505A..... FWC may deal with a dispute about frequency of entry to hold discussions 546
506........ Contravening order made to deal with dispute................................ 547
Subdivision B—Taking action against permit holder 547
507........ FWC may take action against permit holder.................................... 547
Subdivision C—Restricting rights of organisations and officials where misuse of rights 548
508........ FWC may restrict rights if organisation or official has misused rights 548
509........ Contravening order made for misuse of rights................................ 549
Subdivision D—When the FWC must revoke or suspend entry permits 549
510........ When the FWC must revoke or suspend entry permits................... 549
Subdivision E—General rules for suspending entry permits 551
511........ General rules for suspending entry permits..................................... 551
Division 6—Entry permits, entry notices and certificates 552
Subdivision A—Entry permits 552
512........ FWC may issue entry permits......................................................... 552
513........ Considering application................................................................... 552
514........ When the FWC must not issue permit............................................. 553
515........ Conditions on entry permit.............................................................. 553
516........ Expiry of entry permit..................................................................... 554
517........ Return of entry permits to the FWC................................................ 555
Subdivision B—Entry notices 555
518........ Entry notice requirements................................................................ 555
Subdivision C—Exemption certificates 557
519........ Exemption certificates..................................................................... 557
Subdivision D—Affected member certificates 558
520........ Affected member certificates........................................................... 558
Subdivision E—Miscellaneous 558
521........ Regulations dealing with instruments under this Part...................... 558
Division 7—Accommodation and transport arrangements in remote areas 560
521A..... Meaning of accommodation arrangement...................................... 560
521B..... Meaning of transport arrangement................................................ 560
521C..... Accommodation arrangements for remote areas.............................. 561
521D..... Transport arrangements for remote areas........................................ 562
Part 3‑5—Stand down 564
Division 1—Introduction 564
522........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 564
523........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 564
Division 2—Circumstances allowing stand down 565
524........ Employer may stand down employees in certain circumstances...... 565
525........ Employee not stood down during a period of authorised leave or absence 566
Division 3—Dealing with disputes 567
526........ FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part........ 567
527........ Contravening an FWC order dealing with a dispute about the operation of this Part 567
Part 3‑6—Other rights and responsibilities 568
Division 1—Introduction 568
528........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 568
529........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 568
Division 2—Notification and consultation relating to certain dismissals 569
Subdivision A—Requirement to notify Centrelink 569
530........ Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed dismissals........ 569
Subdivision B—Failure to notify or consult registered employee associations 570
531........ FWC may make orders where failure to notify or consult registered employee associations about dismissals 570
532........ Orders that the FWC may make...................................................... 571
533........ Application for an FWC order........................................................ 572
Subdivision C—Limits on scope of this Division 572
534........ Limits on scope of this Division..................................................... 572
Division 3—Employer obligations in relation to employee records and pay slips 574
535........ Employer obligations in relation to employee records..................... 574
536........ Employer obligations in relation to pay slips................................... 574
Part 3‑7—Corrupting benefits 576
Division 1—Introduction 576
536A..... Guide to this Part............................................................................ 576
536B..... Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 576
536C..... Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws............................ 576
536CA.. Dishonesty...................................................................................... 577
Division 2—Giving, receiving or soliciting corrupting benefits 578
536D..... Giving, receiving or soliciting a corrupting benefit......................... 578
536E...... Meaning of registered organisations officer or employee................ 580
Division 3—Cash or in kind payments to employee organisations etc. 582
536F...... Giving a cash or in kind payment.................................................... 582
536G..... Receiving or soliciting a cash or in kind payment........................... 584
536H..... Implied freedom of political communication................................... 585
An Act relating to workplace relations, and for related purposes
Chapter 1—Introduction
Part 1‑1—Introduction
Division 1—Preliminary
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Fair Work Act 2009.
2 Commencement
(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.
| Commencement information |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
| Provision(s) | Commencement | Date/Details |
| 1. Sections 1 and 2 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table | The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent. | 7 April 2009 |
| 2. Sections 3 to 40 | A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. However, if any of the provision(s) do not commence within the period of 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the first day after the end of that period. | 26 May 2009 (see F2009L01818) |
| 3. Sections 41 to 572 | A day or days to be fixed by Proclamation. A Proclamation must not specify a day that occurs before the day on which the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 receives the Royal Assent. However, if any of the provision(s) do not commence within the period of 12 months beginning on the day on which the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the first day after the end of that period. | Sections 41–43, 50–54, 58, 169–281A, 300–327, 332, 333, 334–572: 1 July 2009 (see F2009L02563) Sections 44–49, 55–57A, 59–168, 282–299, 328–331, 333A: 1 January 2010 (see F2009L02563) |
| 4. Sections 573 to 718 | At the same time as the provision(s) covered by table item 2. | 26 May 2009 |
| 5. Sections 719 to 800 | A day or days to be fixed by Proclamation. A Proclamation must not specify a day that occurs before the day on which the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 receives the Royal Assent. However, if any of the provision(s) do not commence within the period of 12 months beginning on the day on which the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the first day after the end of that period. | Sections 719–740, 769–800: 1 July 2009 (see F2009L02563) Sections 741–768: 1 January 2010 (see F2009L02563) |
| 6. Schedule 1 | At the same time as the provision(s) covered by table item 2. | 26 May 2009 |
Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally passed by both Houses of the Parliament and assented to. It will not be expanded to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.
(2) Column 3 of the table contains additional information that is not part of this Act. Information in this column may be added to or edited in any published version of this Act.
Division 2—Object of this Act
3 Object of this Act
The object of this Act is to provide a balanced framework for cooperative and productive workplace relations that promotes national economic prosperity and social inclusion for all Australians by:
(a) providing workplace relations laws that are fair to working Australians, are flexible for businesses, promote productivity and economic growth for Australia’s future economic prosperity and take into account Australia’s international labour obligations; and
(b) ensuring a guaranteed safety net of fair, relevant and enforceable minimum terms and conditions through the National Employment Standards, modern awards and national minimum wage orders; and
(c) ensuring that the guaranteed safety net of fair, relevant and enforceable minimum wages and conditions can no longer be undermined by the making of statutory individual employment agreements of any kind given that such agreements can never be part of a fair workplace relations system; and
(d) assisting employees to balance their work and family responsibilities by providing for flexible working arrangements; and
(e) enabling fairness and representation at work and the prevention of discrimination by recognising the right to freedom of association and the right to be represented, protecting against unfair treatment and discrimination, providing accessible and effective procedures to resolve grievances and disputes and providing effective compliance mechanisms; and
(f) achieving productivity and fairness through an emphasis on enterprise‑level collective bargaining underpinned by simple good faith bargaining obligations and clear rules governing industrial action; and
(g) acknowledging the special circumstances of small and medium‑sized businesses.
Division 3—Guide to this Act
4 Guide to this Act
Overview of this Act
(1) This Act is about workplace relations. It:
(a) provides for terms and conditions of employment (Chapter 2); and
(b) sets out rights and responsibilities of employees, employers and organisations in relation to that employment (Chapter 3); and
(c) provides for compliance with, and enforcement of, this Act (Chapter 4); and
(d) provides for the administration of this Act by establishing the Fair Work Commission and the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman (Chapter 5); and
(e) deals with other matters relating to the above (Chapter 6).
Overview of the rest of this Chapter
(2) The rest of this Chapter deals with:
(a) definitions that are used in this Act (Part 1‑2); and
(b) the application of this Act (Part 1‑3), including how this Act interacts with certain State and Territory laws and its geographical application.
Definitions
(3) Many of the terms in this Act are defined. The Dictionary in section 12 contains a list of every term that is defined in this Act.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for amendments
(4) Schedule 1 contains application, saving and transitional provisions relating to amendments of this Act.
5 Terms and conditions of employment (Chapter 2)
(1) Chapter 2 provides for terms and conditions of employment of national system employees.
(2) Part 2‑1 has the core provisions for the Chapter. It deals with compliance with, and interaction between, the sources of the main terms and conditions provided under this Act—the National Employment Standards, modern awards and enterprise agreements.
Note: Workplace determinations are another source of main terms and conditions. In most cases, this Act applies to a workplace determination as if it were an enterprise agreement in operation (see section 279).
Main terms and conditions
(3) Part 2‑2 contains the National Employment Standards, which are minimum terms and conditions that apply to all national system employees.
(4) Part 2‑3 is about modern awards. A modern award is made for a particular industry or occupation and provides additional minimum terms and conditions for those national system employees to whom it applies. A modern award can have terms that are ancillary or supplementary to the National Employment Standards.
(5) Part 2‑4 is about enterprise agreements. An enterprise agreement is made at the enterprise level and provides terms and conditions for those national system employees to whom it applies. An enterprise agreement can have terms that are ancillary or supplementary to the National Employment Standards.
(6) Part 2‑5 is about workplace determinations. A workplace determination provides terms and conditions for those national system employees to whom it applies. A workplace determination is made by the FWC if certain conditions are met.
(7) Part 2‑8 provides for the transfer of certain modern awards, enterprise agreements, workplace determinations and other instruments if there is a transfer of business from one national system employer to another national system employer.
Other terms and conditions
(8) In addition, other terms and conditions of employment for national system employees include those:
(a) provided by a national minimum wage order (see Part 2‑6) or an equal remuneration order (see Part 2‑7); and
(b) provided by Part 2‑9 (which deals with the frequency and method of making payments to employees, deductions from payments and high‑income employees).
6 Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc. (Chapter 3)
(1) Chapter 3 sets out rights and responsibilities of national system employees, national system employers, organisations and others (such as independent contractors and industrial associations).
(2) Part 3‑1 provides general workplace protections. It:
(a) protects workplace rights; and
(b) protects freedom of association and involvement in lawful industrial activities; and
(c) provides other protections, including protection from discrimination.
(3) Part 3‑2 deals with unfair dismissal of national system employees, and the granting of remedies when that happens.
(4) Part 3‑3 deals mainly with industrial action by national system employees and national system employers and sets out when industrial action is protected industrial action. No action lies under any law in force in a State or Territory in relation to protected industrial action except in certain circumstances.
(5) Part 3‑4 is about the rights of officials of organisations who hold entry permits to enter premises for purposes related to their representative role under this Act and under State or Territory OHS laws. In exercising those rights, permit holders must comply with the requirements set out in the Part.
(6) Part 3‑5 allows a national system employer to stand down a national system employee without pay in certain circumstances.
(7) Part 3‑6 deals with other rights and responsibilities of national system employers in relation to:
(a) termination of employment; and
(b) keeping records and giving payslips.
(8) Part 3‑7 deals with offences in relation to corrupting benefits.
7 Compliance and enforcement (Chapter 4)
(1) Chapter 4 provides for compliance with, and enforcement of, this Act.
(2) Part 4‑1 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. Part 4‑1:
(a) deals with applications for orders for contraventions of civil remedy provisions; and
(b) sets out the orders the courts can make in relation to a contravention of a civil remedy provision.
(3) Part 4‑2 is about the jurisdiction and powers of the courts in relation to matters arising under this Act.
8 Administration (Chapter 5)
(1) Chapter 5 provides for the administration of this Act by establishing the Fair Work Commission and the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman.
(2) Part 5‑1 is about the Fair Work Commission. It:
(a) establishes and confers functions on the FWC; and
(b) sets out how matters before the FWC are to be conducted (for example, how the FWC is to deal with applications made to it).
(3) Part 5‑2 is about the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman. It:
(a) establishes and confers functions on the Fair Work Ombudsman; and
(b) confers functions and powers on Fair Work Inspectors.
9 Miscellaneous (Chapter 6)
(1) Chapter 6 is a collection of miscellaneous matters that relate to the other Chapters.
(2) Part 6‑1 provides rules relating to applications for remedies under this Act. It prevents certain applications if other remedies are available and prevents multiple applications or complaints in relation to the same conduct.
(3) Part 6‑2 is about dealing with disputes between national system employees and their employers under modern awards, enterprise agreements and contracts of employment.
(4) Part 6‑3 extends the National Employment Standards relating to unpaid parental leave and notice of termination to non‑national system employees.
(4A) Part 6‑3A provides for the transfer of terms and conditions of employment that are provided for in particular State industrial instruments if there is a transfer of business from a non‑national system employer that is a State public sector employer of the State to a national system employer.
(5) Part 6‑4 contains provisions to give effect, or further effect, to certain international agreements relating to termination of employment.
(5A) Part 6‑4A contains special provisions about TCF outworkers.
(5B) Part 6‑4B allows a worker who has been bullied at work to apply to the FWC for an order to stop the bullying.
(6) Part 6‑5 deals with miscellaneous matters such as delegations and regulations.
9A Application, transitional and saving provisions for amendments (Schedules)
The Schedules contain application, transitional and saving provisions relating to amendments of this Act.
Note: Application, transitional and saving provisions relating to the enactment of this Act, and States becoming referring States, are in the Transitional Act.
Part 1‑2—Definitions
Division 1—Introduction
10 Guide to this Part
This Part is about the terms that are defined in this Act.
Division 2 has the Dictionary (see section 12). The Dictionary is a list of every term that is defined in this Act. A term will either be defined in the Dictionary itself, or in another provision of this Act. If another provision defines the term, the Dictionary will have a signpost to that definition.
Division 3 has definitions relating to the meanings of employee and employer.
Division 4 has some other definitions that apply across this Act.
11 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 2—The Dictionary
12 The Dictionary
In this Act:
AAT presidential member means a person who is a presidential member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal under the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975.
access period for a proposed enterprise agreement: see subsection 180(4).
accommodation arrangement: see subsections 521A(1) and (2).
action includes an omission.
adoption‑related leave: see subsection 67(5).
adverse action: see section 342.
affected employees for a variation of an enterprise agreement: see subsection 207(2).
affected employer:
(a) in relation to an entry under Subdivision A of Division 2 of Part 3‑4: see subsection 482(2); and
(aa) in relation to an entry under section 483A other than a designated outworker terms entry: see paragraph 483B(3)(a); and
(ab) in relation to a designated outworker terms entry under section 483A: see paragraph 483B(3)(b); and
(b) in relation to an entry in accordance with Division 3 of Part 3‑4: see paragraph 495(2)(a); and
(c) in relation to a State or Territory OHS right to inspect or otherwise access an employee record: see paragraph 495(2)(b).
affected member certificate: see subsection 520(1).
Age Discrimination Commissioner means the Age Discrimination Commissioner appointed under the Age Discrimination Act 2004.
agreed terms for a workplace determination: see section 274.
agreed to in relation to a termination of an enterprise agreement: see section 221.
annual rate of an employee’s guaranteed annual earnings: see subsection 330(3).
annual wage review: see subsection 285(1).
anti‑discrimination law: see subsection 351(3).
apparent indirectly responsible entity: see subsection 789CC(2).
applicable agreement‑derived long service leave terms: see subsection 113(5).
applicable award‑derived long service leave terms: see subsection 113(3).
application or complaint under another law: see subsection 732(2).
applies:
(a) in relation to a modern award: see section 47; and
(b) in relation to an enterprise agreement: see section 52; and
(c) in relation to a copied State instrument: see section 768AM.
applies to employment generally: see subsection 26(4).
appointment of a bargaining representative means an appointment of a bargaining representative under paragraph 176(1)(c) or (d) or 177(c).
appropriate safe job: see subsection 81(3).
approved by the FWC, in relation to an enterprise agreement, means approved by the FWC under section 186 or 189.
associated entity has the meaning given by section 50AAA of the Corporations Act 2001.
Australia means the Commonwealth of Australia and, when used in a geographical sense, includes Norfolk Island, the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, but does not include any other external Territory.
Australian‑based employee: see subsections 35(2) and (3).
Australian employer: see subsection 35(1).
Australian ship means a ship that has Australian nationality under section 29 of the Shipping Registration Act 1981.
authority documents: see subsection 489(3).
available parental leave period: see subsection 75(2).
award/agreement free employee means a national system employee to whom neither a modern award nor an enterprise agreement applies.
award covered employee for an enterprise agreement: see subsection 193(4).
award modernisation process means:
(a) the process of making modern awards under Part 10A of the Workplace Relations Act 1996, as continued by Part 2 of Schedule 5 of the Transitional Act; and
(b) the enterprise instrument modernisation process provided for by Part 2 of Schedule 6 of the Transitional Act; and
(c) the State reference public sector transitional award modernisation process provided for by Part 2 of Schedule 6A of the Transitional Act.
ballot paper: see subsection 455(2).
bargaining order: see subsection 229(1).
bargaining related workplace determination: see subsection 269(1).
bargaining representative for a proposed enterprise agreement: see sections 176 and 177.
bargaining services: see subsection 353(3).
bargaining services fee: see subsection 353(2).
base rate of pay: see section 16.
birth‑related leave: see subsection 67(4).
bullied at work: see subsection 789FD(1).
cash or in kind payment: see subsection 536F(4).
child of a person: see subsection 17(1).
civil remedy provision: see subsections 539(1) and (3).
close relative: see subsection 106B(3).
Commissioner means a Commissioner of the FWC.
common requirements in relation to industrial action: see section 413.
Commonwealth means the Commonwealth of Australia and, when used in a geographical sense, includes Norfolk Island, the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, but does not include any other external Territory.
Commonwealth authority means:
(a) a body corporate established for a public purpose by or under a law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) a body corporate:
(i) incorporated under a law of the Commonwealth or a State or a Territory; and
(ii) in which the Commonwealth has a controlling interest.
Commonwealth Ombudsman means the person for the time being holding office as Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act 1976.
Commonwealth outworker entity means an entity that is an outworker entity otherwise than because of section 30F or 30Q.
Note: Sections 30F and 30Q extend the meaning of outworker entity in relation to a referring State.
Commonwealth place means a place referred to in paragraph 52(i) of the Constitution, other than the seat of government.
compassionate leave means compassionate leave to which a national system employee is entitled under section 104.
complaint about an FWC Member means a complaint referred to in paragraph 581A(1)(a) or section 641A.
complaint handler means:
(a) the President; or
(b) a person who is authorised by the President under subsection 581A(3); or
(c) a person who is a member of a body that is authorised by the President under subsection 581A(3).
compliance powers: see section 703.
compliance purposes: see subsection 706(1).
concurrent leave: see subsection 72(5).
conduct includes an omission.
conduct of a protected action ballot: see subsection 458(5).
connected with a Territory: an arrangement for work to be performed for a person (either directly or indirectly) is connected with a Territory if one or more of the following apply:
(a) at the time the arrangement is made, one or more parties to the arrangement is in a Territory in Australia;
(b) the work is to be performed in such a Territory;
(c) the person carries on an activity (whether of a commercial, governmental or other nature) in such a Territory, and the work is reasonably likely to be performed in that Territory;
(d) the person carries on an activity (whether of a commercial, governmental or other nature) in such a Territory, and the work is to be performed in connection with that activity.
Note: In this context, Australia includes Norfolk Island, the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands (see the definition of Australia).
consent low‑paid workplace determination: see subsection 260(2).
consistent with the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code: see subsection 388(2).
consolidation order:
(a) in relation to a transferring employee—see subsection 768BD(1); and
(b) in relation to a non‑transferring employee—see subsection 768BG(1).
constitutional corporation means a corporation to which paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution applies.
constitutionally‑covered business: see subsection 789FD(3).
constitutionally‑covered entity: see subsection 338(2).
constitutional trade or commerce means trade or commerce:
(a) between Australia and a place outside Australia; or
(b) among the States; or
(c) between a State and a Territory; or
(d) between 2 Territories; or
(e) within a Territory.
continental shelf means the continental shelf (as defined in the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973) of Australia (including its external Territories).
continuous service has a meaning affected by section 22.
copied State award: see subsection 768AI(1).
copied State collective employment agreement: see subsection 768AK(4).
copied State employment agreement: see subsection 768AK(1).
copied State individual employment agreement: see subsection 768AK(5).
copied State instrument: see section 768AH.
corporate MySuper product: see subsection 23A(3).
coverage terms:
(a) in relation to a modern award (other than a modern enterprise award): see section 143; and
(b) in relation to a modern enterprise award: see section 143A; and
(c) in relation to a State reference public sector modern award: see section 143B.
covers:
(a) in relation to a modern award: see section 48; and
(b) in relation to an enterprise agreement: see section 53; and
(c) in relation to a workplace determination: see section 277; and
(d) in relation to a copied State instrument: see section 768AN.
day of placement: see subsection 67(6).
de facto partner of a national system employee:
(a) means a person who, although not legally married to the employee, lives with the employee in a relationship as a couple on a genuine domestic basis (whether the employee and the person are of the same sex or different sexes); and
(b) includes a former de facto partner of the employee.
default fund employee: see subsection 149C(2).
default fund term: see subsection 149C(2).
Default Superannuation List: see subsection 156B(1).
defined benefit member has the meaning given by the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992.
Deputy President means a Deputy President of the FWC.
designated emergency management body: see subsections 195A(4) and (5).
designated outworker term of a modern award, enterprise agreement, workplace determination or other instrument, means any of the following terms, so far as the term relates to outworkers in the textile, clothing or footwear industry:
(a) a term that deals with the registration of an employer or outworker entity;
(b) a term that deals with the making and retaining of, or access to, records about work to which outworker terms of a modern award apply;
(c) a term imposing conditions under which an arrangement may be entered into by an employer or an outworker entity for the performance of work, where the work is of a kind that is often performed by outworkers;
(d) a term relating to the liability of an employer or outworker entity for work undertaken by an outworker under such an arrangement, including a term which provides for the outworker to make a claim against an employer or outworker entity;
(e) a term that requires minimum pay or other conditions, including the National Employment Standards, to be applied to an outworker who is not an employee;
(f) any other terms prescribed by the regulations.
designated outworker terms entry: see subsection 483A(5).
directly, when used in relation to TCF work: see section 17A.
Disability Discrimination Commissioner means the Disability Discrimination Commissioner appointed under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
discriminatory term of an enterprise agreement: see section 195.
dismissal remedy bargaining order application: see subsection 726(2).
dismissed: see section 386.
earnings: see subsections 332(1) and (2).
eligible community service activity: see section 109.
eligible State or Territory court means one of the following courts:
(a) a District, County or Local Court;
(b) a magistrates court;
(c) the Industrial Relations Court of South Australia;
(ca) the Industrial Court of New South Wales;
(d) any other State or Territory court that is prescribed by the regulations.
employee is defined in the first Division of each Part (other than Part 1‑1) in which the term appears.
Note 1: The definition in the Part will define employee either as a national system employee or as having its ordinary meaning. However, there may be particular provisions in the Part where a different meaning for the term is specified.
Note 2: If the term has its ordinary meaning, see further subsections 15(1), 30E(1) and 30P(1).
Note 3: See also Division 2 of Part 6‑4A (TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances).
employee A, in relation to a transfer of business referred to in Part 6‑3A: see subsections 768BD(1) and 768BG(1).
employee claim action: see section 409 and paragraph 471(4A)(c).
employee couple: 2 national system employees are an employee couple if each of the employees is the spouse or de facto partner of the other.
employee organisation means an organisation of employees.
employee record, in relation to an employee, means:
(a) something that is an employee record, in relation to the employee, for the purposes of the Privacy Act 1988; or
(b) in the case of a TCF contract outworker who is taken to be an employee by Division 2 of Part 6‑4A of this Act—something that would be an employee record, in relation to the outworker, for the purposes of the Privacy Act 1988, if the outworker were an employee for the purposes of that Act.
employee response action: see section 410 and paragraph 471(4A)(d).
employee with a disability means a national system employee who is qualified for a disability support pension as set out in section 94 or 95 of the Social Security Act 1991, or who would be so qualified but for paragraph 94(1)(e) or 95(1)(c) of that Act.
employer is defined in the first Division of each Part (other than Part 1‑1) in which the term appears.
Note 1: The definition in the Part will define employer either as a national system employer or as having its ordinary meaning. However, there may be particular provisions in the Part where a different meaning for the term is specified.
Note 2: If the term has its ordinary meaning, see further subsections 15(2), 30E(2) and 30P(2).
Note 3: See also Division 2 of Part 6‑4A (TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances).
employer MySuper product: see subsection 23A(1B).
employer organisation means an organisation of employers.
employer response action: see section 411.
employing authority: see subsection 795(6).
engages in industrial activity: see section 347.
enterprise means a business, activity, project or undertaking.
enterprise agreement means:
(a) a single‑enterprise agreement; or
(b) a multi‑enterprise agreement.
entry notice: see subsection 487(2).
entry permit: see section 512.
equal remuneration for work of equal or comparable value: see subsection 302(2).
equal remuneration order: see subsection 302(1).
exclusive economic zone means the exclusive economic zone (as defined in the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973) of Australia (including its external Territories).
exemption certificate: see subsection 519(1).
exempt public sector superannuation scheme has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993.
Expert Panel means an Expert Panel constituted under section 620.
Expert Panel Member means an Expert Panel Member of the FWC.
extended notice of termination provisions: see subsection 759(3).
extended parental leave provisions: see subsection 744(3).
Fair Work Commission or FWC means the body continued in existence by section 575.
Fair Work Information Statement: see subsection 124(1).
Fair Work Inspector means:
(a) a person appointed as a Fair Work Inspector under section 700; or
(b) the Fair Work Ombudsman in his or her capacity as a Fair Work Inspector under section 701.
fair work instrument means:
(a) a modern award; or
(b) an enterprise agreement; or
(c) a workplace determination; or
(d) an FWC order.
family and domestic violence: see subsection 106B(2).
Federal Circuit Court means the Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
Federal Court means the Federal Court of Australia.
first employer, in relation to a transfer of employment: see subsection 22(7).
first stage criteria: see section 156F.
first stage test: see section 156Q.
fixed platform means an artificial island, installation or structure permanently attached to the sea‑bed for the purpose of exploration for, or exploitation of, resources or for other economic purposes.
flexibility term:
(a) in relation to a modern award—see subsection 144(1); and
(b) in relation to an enterprise agreement—see subsection 202(1).
flight crew officer means a person who performs (whether with or without other duties) duties as a pilot, navigator or flight engineer of aircraft, and includes a person being trained for the performance of such duties.
franchise has the meaning given by the Corporations Act 2001.
franchisee entity of a franchise: see subsection 558A(1).
Full Bench means a Full Bench of the FWC constituted under section 618.
full rate of pay: see section 18.
FWC: see Fair Work Commission.
FWC Member means the President, a Vice President, a Deputy President, a Commissioner or an Expert Panel Member.
FWO notice: see subsection 712A(1).
General Manager means the General Manager of the FWC.
general protections court application: see subsection 368(4).
general protections FWC application: see subsection 727(2).
general State industrial law: see subsection 26(3).
genuinely agreed in relation to an enterprise agreement: see section 188.
genuine redundancy: see section 389.
good faith bargaining requirements: see section 228.
greenfields agreement: see subsection 172(4).
guaranteed period for a guarantee of annual earnings: see section 331.
guarantee of annual earnings: see subsection 330(1).
handle a complaint about an FWC Member means do one or more of the following acts relating to the complaint:
(a) consider the complaint;
(b) investigate the complaint;
(c) report on an investigation of the complaint;
(d) deal with a report of an investigation of the complaint;
(e) dispose of the complaint;
(f) refer the complaint to a person or body.
high income employee: see section 329.
high income threshold: see section 333.
ILO means the International Labour Organization.
immediate family of a national system employee means:
(a) a spouse, de facto partner, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild or sibling of the employee; or
(b) a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild or sibling of a spouse or de facto partner of the employee.
independent advisor for a protected action ballot means the person (if any) specified in the protected action ballot order as the independent advisor for the ballot.
independent contractor is not confined to an individual.
indirectly, when used in relation to TCF work: see section 17A.
indirectly responsible entity, in relation to TCF work performed by a TCF outworker: see subsections 789CA(3), (4) and (5).
individual flexibility arrangement:
(a) in relation to a modern award—see subsection 144(1); and
(b) in relation to an enterprise agreement—see paragraph 202(1)(a).
industrial action: see section 19.
industrial action related workplace determination: see subsection 266(1).
industrial association means:
(a) an association of employees or independent contractors, or both, or an association of employers, that is registered or recognised as such an association (however described) under a workplace law; or
(b) an association of employees, or independent contractors, or both (whether formed formally or informally), a purpose of which is the protection and promotion of their interests in matters concerning their employment, or their interests as independent contractors (as the case may be); or
(c) an association of employers a principal purpose of which is the protection and promotion of their interests in matters concerning employment and/or independent contractors;
and includes:
(d) a branch of such an association; and
(e) an organisation; and
(f) a branch of an organisation.
industrial body means:
(a) the FWC; or
(b) a court or commission (however described) performing or exercising, under an industrial law, functions and powers corresponding to those conferred on the FWC by this Act; or
(c) a court or commission (however described) performing or exercising, under a workplace law, functions and powers corresponding to those conferred on the FWC by the Registered Organisations Act.
industrial law means:
(a) this Act; or
(b) the Registered Organisations Act; or
(c) a law of the Commonwealth, however designated, that regulates the relationships between employers and employees; or
(d) a State or Territory industrial law.
industry‑specific redundancy scheme means redundancy or termination payment arrangements in a modern award that are described in the award as an industry‑specific redundancy scheme.
inspector means a Fair Work Inspector.
interim application period: see paragraph 156N(2)(b).
involved in: see section 550.
irregularity, in relation to the conduct of a protected action ballot: see subsection 458(6).
junior employee means a national system employee who is under 21.
jury service pay: see subsection 111(6).
jury service summons: see subsection 111(7).
keeping in touch day: see subsections 79A(2) and (3).
law enforcement officer has the same meaning as in subsection 30K(1).
lawyer means a person who is admitted to the legal profession by a Supreme Court of a State or Territory.
local government employee has the same meaning as in subsection 30K(1).
local government employer has the same meaning as in subsection 30K(1).
lock out: see subsection 19(3).
long term casual employee: a national system employee of a national system employer is a long term casual employee at a particular time if, at that time:
(a) the employee is a casual employee; and
(b) the employee has been employed by the employer on a regular and systematic basis for a sequence of periods of employment during a period of at least 12 months.
low‑paid authorisation: see subsection 242(1).
low‑paid workplace determination means:
(a) a consent low‑paid workplace determination; or
(b) a special low‑paid workplace determination.
made:
(a) in relation to an enterprise agreement: see section 182; and
(b) in relation to a variation of an enterprise agreement: see section 209.
magistrates court means:
(a) a court constituted by a police, stipendiary or special magistrate; or
(b) a court constituted by an industrial magistrate; or
(c) the Local Court of the Northern Territory.
majority support determination: see subsection 236(1).
maritime employee means a person who is, or whose occupation is that of, a master as defined in subsection 14(1) of the Navigation Act 2012, a seafarer as so defined or a pilot as so defined.
medical certificate means a certificate signed by a medical practitioner.
medical practitioner means a person registered, or licensed, as a medical practitioner under a law of a State or Territory that provides for the registration or licensing of medical practitioners.
membership action: see subsection 350(3).
minimum employment period: see section 383.
minimum wages objective: see subsection 284(1).
miscellaneous modern award: see subsection 163(4).
model consultation term: see subsection 205(3).
model flexibility term: see subsection 202(5).
modern award means a modern award made under Part 2‑3.
modern award minimum wages: see subsection 284(3).
modern award powers: see subsection 134(2).
modern awards objective: see subsection 134(1).
mo