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Fair Work Act 2009

Authoritative Version
  • - C2020C00318
  • In force - Superseded Version
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Act No. 28 of 2009 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Jobkeeper Payments) Amendment Act 2020
An Act relating to workplace relations, and for related purposes
Administered by: Attorney-General's
Registered 14 Oct 2020
Start Date 28 Sep 2020
End Date 26 Nov 2020
Table of contents.

Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia

Fair Work Act 2009

No. 28, 2009

Compilation No. 40

Compilation date:                              28 September 2020

Includes amendments up to:            Act No. 81, 2020

Registered:                                         14 October 2020

This compilation is in 2 volumes

Volume 1:       sections 1–536H

Volume 2:       sections 537–800

                        Schedules

                        Endnotes

Each volume has its own contents

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Fair Work Act 2009 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 28 September 2020 (the compilation date).

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

Uncommenced amendments

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

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

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

Editorial changes

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

Modifications

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

Self‑repealing provisions

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

  

  

  


Contents

Chapter 4—Compliance and enforcement                                         1

Part 4‑1—Civil remedies                                                                                                    1

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                            1

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

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

Division 2—Orders                                                                                                        3

Subdivision A—Applications for orders                                                              3

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

540........................ Limitations on who may apply for orders etc.................... 20

541........................ Applications for orders in relation to safety net contractual entitlements  22

542........................ Entitlements under contracts............................................. 22

543........................ Applications for orders in relation to statutory entitlements derived from contracts 23

544........................ Time limit on applications................................................. 23

Subdivision B—Orders                                                                                           23

545........................ Orders that can be made by particular courts.................... 23

546........................ Pecuniary penalty orders................................................... 25

547........................ Interest up to judgment..................................................... 26

Division 3—Small claims procedure                                                                   27

548........................ Plaintiffs may choose small claims procedure................... 27

Division 4—General provisions relating to civil remedies                     29

549........................ Contravening a civil remedy provision is not an offence.. 29

550........................ Involvement in contravention treated in same way as actual contravention              29

551........................ Civil evidence and procedure rules for proceedings relating to civil remedy provisions          29

552........................ Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings.................... 30

553........................ Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings................. 30

554........................ Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings.................... 30

555........................ Evidence given in proceedings for pecuniary penalty not admissible in criminal proceedings 30

556........................ Civil double jeopardy........................................................ 31

557........................ Course of conduct............................................................. 31

557A..................... Serious contravention of civil remedy provisions............. 33

557B...................... Liability of bodies corporate for serious contravention..... 35

557C...................... Presumption where records not provided......................... 35

558........................ Regulations dealing with infringement notices.................. 36

Division 4A—Responsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies for certain contraventions                                                                                      37

558A..................... Meaning of franchisee entity and responsible franchisor entity               37

558B...................... Responsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies for certain contraventions        37

558C...................... Right of responsible franchisor entity or holding company to recover     41

Division 5—Unclaimed money                                                                               43

559........................ Unclaimed money............................................................. 43

Part 4‑2—Jurisdiction and powers of courts                                                      45

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                          45

560........................ Guide to this Part.............................................................. 45

561........................ Meanings of employee and employer................................ 45

Division 2—Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Court                    46

562........................ Conferring jurisdiction on the Federal Court.................... 46

563........................ Exercising jurisdiction in the Fair Work Division of the Federal Court   46

564........................ No limitation on Federal Court’s powers.......................... 47

565........................ Appeals from eligible State or Territory courts................. 47

Division 3—Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Circuit Court   49

566........................ Conferring jurisdiction on the Federal Circuit Court......... 49

567........................ Exercising jurisdiction in the Fair Work Division of the Federal Circuit Court        49

568........................ No limitation on Federal Circuit Court’s powers.............. 49

Division 4—Miscellaneous                                                                                       50

569........................ Minister’s entitlement to intervene.................................... 50

569A..................... State or Territory Minister’s entitlement to intervene........ 50

570........................ Costs only if proceedings instituted vexatiously etc.......... 51

571........................ No imprisonment for failure to pay pecuniary penalty...... 51

572........................ Regulations dealing with matters relating to court proceedings                51

Chapter 5—Administration                                                                              52

Part 5‑1—The Fair Work Commission                                                                  52

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                          52

573........................ Guide to this Part.............................................................. 52

574........................ Meanings of employee and employer................................ 53

Division 2—Establishment and functions of the Fair Work Commission             54

Subdivision A—Establishment and functions of the Fair Work Commission                54

575........................ Establishment of the Fair Work Commission................... 54

576........................ Functions of the FWC...................................................... 54

577........................ Performance of functions etc. by the FWC....................... 56

578........................ Matters the FWC must take into account in performing functions etc.     56

579........................ FWC has privileges and immunities of the Crown........... 56

580........................ Protection of FWC Members............................................ 56

Subdivision B—Functions and powers of the President                                 57

581........................ Functions of the President................................................ 57

581A..................... Dealing with a complaint about an FWC Member............ 57

581B...................... Code of Conduct............................................................... 59

582........................ Directions by the President............................................... 59

583........................ President not subject to direction...................................... 60

584........................ Delegation of functions and powers of the President........ 61

Subdivision C—Protection of persons involved in handling etc. complaints about FWC Members         61

584B...................... Protection of persons involved in handling etc. complaints about FWC Members  61

Division 3—Conduct of matters before the FWC                                       63

Subdivision A—Applications to the FWC                                                          63

585........................ Applications in accordance with procedural rules............. 63

586........................ Correcting and amending applications and documents etc. 63

587........................ Dismissing applications.................................................... 63

588........................ Discontinuing applications................................................ 64

Subdivision B—Conduct of matters before the FWC                                     64

589........................ Procedural and interim decisions...................................... 64

590........................ Powers of the FWC to inform itself.................................. 64

591........................ FWC not bound by rules of evidence and procedure........ 65

592........................ Conferences...................................................................... 65

593........................ Hearings........................................................................... 66

594........................ Confidential evidence........................................................ 67

595........................ FWC’s power to deal with disputes.................................. 67

Subdivision C—Representation by lawyers and paid agents and Minister’s entitlement to make submissions     68

596........................ Representation by lawyers and paid agents....................... 68

597........................ Minister’s entitlement to make submissions..................... 69

597A..................... State or Territory Minister’s entitlement to make submissions 69

Subdivision D—Decisions of the FWC                                                                70

598........................ Decisions of the FWC...................................................... 70

599........................ FWC not required to decide an application in terms applied for               70

600........................ Determining matters in the absence of a person................ 71

601........................ Writing and publication requirements for the FWC’s decisions               71

602........................ Correcting obvious errors etc. in relation to the FWC’s decisions           72

603........................ Varying and revoking the FWC’s decisions..................... 72

Subdivision E—Appeals, reviews and referring questions of law               73

604........................ Appeal of decisions.......................................................... 73

605........................ Minister’s entitlement to apply for review of a decision... 74

606........................ Staying decisions that are appealed or reviewed............... 74

607........................ Process for appealing or reviewing decisions................... 75

608........................ Referring questions of law to the Federal Court............... 76

Subdivision F—Miscellaneous                                                                              76

609........................ Procedural rules................................................................ 76

610........................ Regulations dealing with any FWC matters...................... 77

611........................ Costs................................................................................. 77

Division 4—Organisation of the FWC                                                              79

Subdivision A—Functions etc. to be performed by a single FWC Member, a Full Bench or an Expert Panel      79

612........................ FWC’s functions etc. may generally be performed by single FWC Member           79

613........................ Appeal of decisions.......................................................... 79

614........................ Review of decisions by a Full Bench................................ 80

615........................ The President may direct a Full Bench to perform function etc.               80

615A..................... When the President must direct a Full Bench to perform function etc.     81

615B...................... Transfer to a Full Bench from an FWC Member.............. 81

615C...................... Transfer to the President from an FWC Member or a Full Bench            82

616........................ FWC’s functions etc. that must be performed by a Full Bench                82

617........................ FWC’s functions etc. that must be performed by an Expert Panel           83

Subdivision B—Constitution of the FWC by a single FWC Member, a Full Bench or an Expert Panel  85

618........................ Constitution and decision‑making of a Full Bench........... 85

619........................ Seniority of FWC Members............................................. 85

620........................ Constitution and decision‑making of an Expert Panel....... 86

621........................ Reconstitution of the FWC when single FWC Member becomes unavailable         87

622........................ Reconstitution of the FWC when FWC Member of a Full Bench or an Expert Panel becomes unavailable.......................................................................................... 88

623........................ When new FWC Members begin to deal with matters...... 88

624........................ FWC’s decisions not invalid when improperly constituted 89

Subdivision C—Delegation of the FWC’s functions and powers                  89

625........................ Delegation by the President of functions and powers of the FWC           89

Division 5—FWC Members                                                                                    91

Subdivision A—Appointment of FWC Members                                             91

626........................ Appointment of FWC Members....................................... 91

627........................ Qualifications for appointment of FWC Members............ 91

628........................ Basis of appointment of FWC Members.......................... 93

629........................ Period of appointment of FWC Members......................... 93

Subdivision B—Terms and conditions of FWC Members                             94

629A..................... Status of the President...................................................... 94

630........................ Appointment of a Judge not to affect tenure etc................ 95

631........................ Dual federal and State appointments of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners        95

632........................ Dual federal and Territory appointments of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners  96

633........................ Outside work of FWC Members...................................... 96

634........................ Oath or affirmation of office............................................. 96

635........................ Remuneration of the President.......................................... 97

636........................ Application of Judges’ Pensions Act to the President...... 97

637........................ Remuneration of FWC Members other than the President 98

638........................ Remuneration of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners performing duties on a part‑time basis              99

639........................ Leave of absence of FWC Members other than the President  100

640........................ Disclosure of interests by FWC Members other than the President         100

641........................ Termination of appointment on grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity   101

641A..................... Minister may handle complaints about FWC Members.. 101

641B...................... Modified application of the Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Act 2012........................................................................................ 102

642........................ Suspension on grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity... 109

643........................ Termination of appointment for bankruptcy, etc............. 110

644........................ Termination of appointment for outside work................. 110

645........................ Resignation of FWC Members....................................... 111

646........................ Other terms and conditions of FWC Members............... 111

647........................ Appointment of acting President and Vice President...... 111

648........................ Appointment of acting Deputy Presidents and Commissioners               112

Division 6—Cooperation with the States                                                       114

649........................ President to cooperate with prescribed State industrial authorities           114

650........................ Provision of administrative support................................ 114

Division 7—Seals and additional powers and functions of the President and the General Manager    115

651........................ Seals............................................................................... 115

652........................ Annual report.................................................................. 116

653........................ Reports about making enterprise agreements, individual flexibility arrangements etc.             116

653A..................... Arrangements with the Federal Court and the Federal Circuit Court        118

654........................ President must provide certain information etc. to the Minister and Fair Work Ombudsman  118

655........................ Disclosure of information by the FWC........................... 118

Division 8—General Manager, staff and consultants                             120

Subdivision A—Functions of the General Manager                                      120

656........................ Establishment.................................................................. 120

657........................ Functions and powers of the General Manager.............. 120

658........................ Directions from the President......................................... 120

659........................ General Manager not otherwise subject to direction....... 121

Subdivision B—Appointment and terms and conditions of the General Manager        121

660........................ Appointment of the General Manager............................. 121

661........................ Remuneration of the General Manager........................... 121

662........................ Leave of absence of the General Manager...................... 122

663........................ Outside work of the General Manager............................ 122

664........................ Disclosure of interests to the President........................... 122

665........................ Resignation of the General Manager............................... 122

666........................ Termination of appointment of the General Manager...... 122

667........................ Other terms and conditions of the General Manager....... 123

668........................ Appointment of acting General Manager........................ 123

669........................ Minister to consult the President..................................... 124

Subdivision C—Staff and consultants                                                               124

670........................ Staff................................................................................ 124

671........................ Delegation by General Manager to staff......................... 124

672........................ Persons assisting the FWC............................................. 125

673........................ Consultants..................................................................... 125

Subdivision D—Application of the finance law                                              125

673A..................... Application of the finance law........................................ 125

Division 9—Offences relating to the Fair Work Commission            127

674........................ Offences in relation to the FWC..................................... 127

675........................ Contravening an FWC order........................................... 129

676........................ Intimidation etc............................................................... 130

677........................ Offences in relation to attending before the FWC........... 130

678........................ False or misleading evidence.......................................... 131

Part 5‑2—Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman                                           133

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        133

679........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 133

680........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 133

Division 2—Fair Work Ombudsman                                                                134

Subdivision A—Establishment and functions and powers of the Fair Work Ombudsman         134

681........................ Establishment.................................................................. 134

682........................ Functions of the Fair Work Ombudsman....................... 134

683........................ Delegation by the Fair Work Ombudsman..................... 135

684........................ Directions from the Minister........................................... 136

685........................ Minister may require reports........................................... 136

686........................ Annual report.................................................................. 136

Subdivision B—Appointment and terms and conditions of the Fair Work Ombudsman            137

687........................ Appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman.................. 137

688........................ Remuneration of the Fair Work Ombudsman................. 137

689........................ Leave of absence of the Fair Work Ombudsman............ 138

690........................ Outside work of the Fair Work Ombudsman................. 138

692........................ Resignation of the Fair Work Ombudsman.................... 138

693........................ Termination of appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman 138

694........................ Other terms and conditions of the Fair Work Ombudsman 139

695........................ Appointment of acting Fair Work Ombudsman.............. 139

Division 3—Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman                                   141

Subdivision A—Establishment of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 141

696........................ Establishment of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 141

Subdivision B—Staff and consultants etc.                                                        141

697........................ Staff................................................................................ 141

698........................ Persons assisting the Fair Work Ombudsman................ 141

699........................ Consultants..................................................................... 142

Subdivision C—Appointment of Fair Work Inspectors                               142

700........................ Appointment of Fair Work Inspectors............................ 142

701........................ Fair Work Ombudsman is a Fair Work Inspector........... 142

702........................ Identity cards.................................................................. 143

Subdivision D—Functions and powers of Fair Work Inspectors—general 144

703........................ Conditions and restrictions on functions and powers..... 144

704........................ General directions by the Fair Work Ombudsman.......... 144

705........................ Particular directions by the Fair Work Ombudsman....... 144

706........................ Purpose for which powers of inspectors may be exercised 145

707........................ When powers of inspectors may be exercised................ 145

707A..................... Hindering or obstructing the Fair Work Ombudsman and inspectors etc.                146

Subdivision DA—Power to enter premises                                                      146

708........................ Power of inspectors to enter premises............................ 146

709........................ Powers of inspectors while on premises......................... 147

710........................ Persons assisting inspectors........................................... 148

Subdivision DB—Powers to ask questions and require records and documents            148

711........................ Power to ask for person’s name and address.................. 148

712........................ Power to require persons to produce records or documents 149

712A..................... Minister may nominate AAT presidential members to issue FWO notices              149

712AA.................. Fair Work Ombudsman may apply to nominated AAT presidential member for FWO notice 150

712AB................... Issue of FWO notice....................................................... 152

712AC................... Form and content of FWO notice................................... 153

712AD.................. Fair Work Ombudsman may give FWO notice to person in relation to whom it is issued and vary time for compliance...................................................................... 154

712AE................... Conduct of examination.................................................. 155

712B...................... Requirement to comply with FWO notice....................... 155

712C...................... Payment for expenses incurred in attending as required by an FWO notice             156

712D..................... Protection from liability relating to FWO notices............ 156

712E...................... Fair Work Ombudsman must notify Commonwealth Ombudsman of issue of FWO notice   156

712F...................... Review and report by Commonwealth Ombudsman...... 157

Subdivision DC—Other rules relating to answers, records and documents 159

713........................ Self‑incrimination etc...................................................... 159

713A..................... Certain records and documents are inadmissible............. 160

713AA.................. Legal professional privilege............................................ 160

714........................ Power to keep records or documents.............................. 160

714A..................... Reports not to include information relating to an individual’s affairs       161

Subdivision DD—Enforceable undertakings and compliance notices      162

715........................ Enforceable undertakings relating to contraventions of civil remedy provisions      162

716........................ Compliance notices......................................................... 163

717........................ Review of compliance notices......................................... 165

Subdivision E—Disclosure of information by the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman           166

718........................ Disclosure of information by the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman  166

Subdivision F—False or misleading information or documents               167

718A..................... False or misleading information or documents............... 167

Chapter 6—Miscellaneous                                                                                169

Part 6‑1—Multiple actions                                                                                            169

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        169

719........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 169

720........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 169

Division 2—Certain actions not permitted if alternative action can be taken   170

721........................ Equal remuneration applications..................................... 170

722........................ Notification and consultation requirements applications. 170

723........................ Unlawful termination applications.................................. 171

Division 3—Preventing multiple actions                                                         172

Subdivision A—Equal remuneration applications                                        172

724........................ Equal remuneration applications..................................... 172

Subdivision B—Applications and complaints relating to dismissal          173

725........................ General rule.................................................................... 173

726........................ Dismissal remedy bargaining order applications............. 173

727........................ General protections FWC applications............................ 173

728........................ General protections court applications............................ 174

729........................ Unfair dismissal applications.......................................... 175

730........................ Unlawful termination FWC applications......................... 175

731........................ Unlawful termination court applications......................... 176

732........................ Applications and complaints under other laws................ 176

733........................ Dismissal does not include failure to provide benefits.... 177

Subdivision C—General protections applications that do not relate to dismissal         177

734........................ General rule.................................................................... 177

Part 6‑2—Dealing with disputes                                                                                179

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        179

735........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 179

736........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 179

Division 2—Dealing with disputes                                                                      180

Subdivision A—Model term about dealing with disputes                             180

737........................ Model term about dealing with disputes......................... 180

Subdivision B—Dealing with disputes                                                               180

738........................ Application of this Division............................................ 180

739........................ Disputes dealt with by the FWC..................................... 180

740........................ Dispute dealt with by persons other than the FWC......... 181

Part 6‑3—Extension of National Employment Standards entitlements 183

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        183

741........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 183

742........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 183

Division 2—Extension of entitlement to unpaid parental leave and related entitlements            184

Subdivision A—Main provisions                                                                        184

743........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 184

744........................ Extending the entitlement to unpaid parental leave and related entitlements              184

745........................ Contravening the extended parental leave provisions...... 186

746........................ References to the National Employment Standards include extended parental leave provisions               186

747........................ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................. 186

Subdivision B—Modifications of the extended parental leave provisions 187

748........................ Non‑national system employees are not award/agreement free employees               187

749........................ Modification of meaning of base rate of pay for pieceworkers                187

750........................ Modification of meaning of full rate of pay for pieceworkers  187

751........................ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work—if determined by State industrial instrument        187

752........................ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work—if not determined by State industrial instrument  188

753........................ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work—regulations may prescribe usual weekly hours   188

754........................ Modification of meaning of pieceworker........................ 188

755........................ Modification of provision about interaction with paid leave 189

756........................ Modification of provision about relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements........................................................................................ 189

757........................ Modification of power to make regulations.................... 189

Division 3—Extension of entitlement to notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice       190

Subdivision A—Main provisions                                                                        190

758........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 190

759........................ Extending entitlement to notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice              190

760........................ Contravening the extended notice of termination provisions 191

761........................ References to the National Employment Standards include extended notice of termination provisions    192

762........................ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................. 192

Subdivision B—Modifications of the extended notice of termination provisions          192

763........................ Non‑national system employees are not award/agreement free employees               192

764........................ Modification of meaning of full rate of pay for pieceworkers  192

765........................ Modification of meaning of pieceworker........................ 193

766........................ Modification of provision about notice of termination by employee        193

767........................ Modification of provision about relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements........................................................................................ 193

768........................ Modification of power to make regulations.................... 193

Part 6‑3A—Transfer of business from a State public sector employer 195

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        195

768AA.................. Guide to this Part............................................................ 195

768AB................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 195

Division 2—Copying terms of State instruments when there is a transfer of business  196

768AC................... What this Division is about............................................. 196

768AD.................. When does a transfer of business occur?........................ 196

768AE................... Meaning of transferring employee, termination time and re‑employment time        197

Division 3—Copied State instruments                                                             198

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              198

768AF................... What this Division is about............................................. 198

Subdivision B—Copied State instruments                                                        198

768AG.................. Contravening a copied State instrument.......................... 198

768AH.................. What is a copied State instrument?.................................. 199

768AI.................... What is a copied State award?......................................... 199

768AJ.................... What is a State award?.................................................... 200

768AK................... What is a copied State employment agreement?.............. 200

768AL................... What is a State employment agreement?......................... 202

768AM.................. When does a copied State instrument apply to a person? 203

768AN.................. When does a copied State instrument cover a person?.... 204

768AO.................. When is a copied State instrument in operation?............. 206

Division 4—Interaction between copied State instruments and the NES, modern awards and enterprise agreements                                                                                           208

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              208

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

Subdivision B—Interaction with the NES                                                        208

768AQ.................. Interaction between the NES and a copied State instrument 208

768AR................... Provisions of the NES that allow instruments to contain particular kinds of terms  208

Subdivision C—Interaction with modern awards                                          210

768AS................... Modern awards and copied State awards........................ 210

768AT................... Modern awards and copied State employment agreements 210

Subdivision D—Interaction with enterprise agreements                              212

768AU.................. Enterprise agreements and copied State instruments....... 212

Division 5—Variation and termination of copied State instruments 213

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              213

768AV.................. What this Division is about............................................. 213

Subdivision B—Variation of copied State instruments                                213

768AW.................. Variation in limited circumstances.................................. 213

768AX.................. Variation of copied State instruments............................. 213

Subdivision C—Termination of copied State instruments                           216

768AY.................. Termination in limited circumstances.............................. 216

Division 6—FWC orders about coverage of copied State instruments and other instruments 217

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              217

768AZ................... What this Division is about............................................. 217

768AZA................ Orders in relation to a transfer of business..................... 217

Subdivision B—Coverage orders                                                                       218

768BA................... FWC orders about coverage for transferring employees. 218

768BB................... FWC orders about coverage for employee organisations 219

Division 7—FWC orders about consolidating copied State instruments etc.      221

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              221

768BC................... What this Division is about............................................. 221

768BCA................ Orders in relation to a transfer of business..................... 222

Subdivision B—Consolidation orders in relation to transferring employees 222

768BD................... Consolidation orders in relation to transferring employees 222

768BE................... Consolidation order to deal with application and coverage 223

768BF................... Effect of this Act after a consolidation order is made...... 224

Subdivision C—Consolidation orders in relation to non‑transferring employees        224

768BG................... Consolidation orders in relation to non‑transferring employees               224

768BH................... Consolidation order to deal with application and coverage 226

768BI.................... Effect of this Act after a consolidation order is made...... 227

Division 8—Special rules for copied State instruments                          228

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division                                                              228

768BJ.................... What this Division is about............................................. 228

Subdivision B—Terms about disputes                                                              229

768BK................... Where no term dealing with disputes.............................. 229

Subdivision C—Service and entitlements of a transferring employee     229

768BL................... Service for the purposes of this Act................................ 229

768BM.................. NES—working out non‑accruing entitlements............... 230

768BN................... NES—working out accruing entitlements....................... 231

768BO................... Copied State instrument—service................................... 232

768BP................... Copied State instrument—working out non‑accruing entitlements           233

768BQ................... Copied State instrument—working out accruing entitlements  234

Subdivision D—Cessation of copied State awards: avoiding reductions in take‑home pay        235

768BR................... Cessation not intended to result in reduction in take‑home pay                235

768BS................... Orders remedying reductions in take‑home pay.............. 236

768BT................... Contravening a take‑home pay order.............................. 237

768BU................... How long a take‑home pay order continues to apply...... 237

768BV................... Interaction of take‑home pay orders with modern awards and enterprise agreements              237

768BW.................. Application of this Act to take‑home pay orders............. 237

Subdivision E—Modification of this Act                                                          238

768BX................... Modification of this Act for copied State instruments..... 238

Subdivision F—Modification of the Transitional Act                                  239

768BY................... Modification of the Transitional Act for copied State instruments           239

Subdivision G—Modification of the Registered Organisations Act          243

768BZ................... Modification of the Registered Organisations Act for copied State instruments      243

Division 9—Regulations                                                                                          245

768CA................... Regulations..................................................................... 245

Part 6‑4—Additional provisions relating to termination of employment 247

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        247

769........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 247

770........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 247

Division 2—Termination of employment                                                       248

771........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 248

772........................ Employment not to be terminated on certain grounds..... 248

773........................ Application for the FWC to deal with a dispute.............. 250

774........................ Time for application........................................................ 250

775........................ Application fees.............................................................. 251

776........................ Dealing with a dispute (other than by arbitration)........... 251

777........................ Dealing with a dispute by arbitration.............................. 252

778........................ Taking a dispute to court................................................. 253

779........................ Appeal rights.................................................................. 253

779A..................... Costs orders against parties............................................ 254

780........................ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................. 254

781........................ Applications for costs orders.......................................... 255

781A..................... Schedule of costs............................................................ 255

782........................ Contravening costs orders.............................................. 256

783........................ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise 256

Division 3—Notification and consultation requirements relating to certain terminations of employment                                                                                                                    257

Subdivision A—Object of this Division                                                             257

784........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 257

Subdivision B—Requirement to notify Centrelink                                        257

785........................ Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed terminations              257

Subdivision C—Failure to notify or consult registered employee associations             258

786........................ FWC may make orders where failure to notify or consult registered employee associations about terminations........................................................................................ 258

787........................ Orders that the FWC may make...................................... 260

788........................ Application to the FWC for order................................... 260

Subdivision D—Limits on scope of this Division                                            261

789........................ Limits on scope of this Division..................................... 261

Part 6‑4A—Special provisions about TCF outworkers                              262

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        262

789AA.................. Guide to this Part............................................................ 262

789AB................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 262

789AC................... Objects of this Part......................................................... 262

Division 2—TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances             264

789BA................... Provisions covered by this Division............................... 264

789BB................... TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances               265

789BC................... Regulations relating to TCF outworkers who are taken to be employees 266

Division 3—Recovery of unpaid amounts                                                     267

789CA................... When this Division applies............................................. 267

789CB................... Liability of indirectly responsible entity for unpaid amount 269

789CC................... Demand for payment from an apparent indirectly responsible entity        269

789CD................... Court order for entity to pay amount demanded.............. 270

789CE................... Effect of payment by entity (including entity’s right to recover from responsible person)       271

789CF................... Division does not limit other liabilities or rights............. 272

Division 4—Code of practice relating to TCF outwork                         273

789DA.................. Regulations may provide for a code................................ 273

789DB................... Matters that may be dealt with in TCF outwork code..... 273

789DC................... Persons on whom obligations may be imposed by TCF outwork code   274

789DD.................. Other general matters relating to content of TCF outwork code               275

789DE................... Relationship between the TCF outwork code and other instruments        276

Division 5—Miscellaneous                                                                                     278

789EA................... Part not intended to exclude or limit State or Territory laws relating to outworkers 278

Part 6‑4B—Workers bullied at work                                                                     279

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        279

789FA................... Guide to this Part............................................................ 279

789FB................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 279

Division 2—Stopping workers being bullied at work                              280

789FC................... Application for an FWC order to stop bullying.............. 280

789FD................... When is a worker bullied at work?................................. 280

789FE.................... FWC to deal with applications promptly......................... 281

789FF.................... FWC may make orders to stop bullying......................... 282

789FG................... Contravening an order to stop bullying........................... 282

789FH................... Actions under work health and safety laws permitted..... 282

789FI..................... This Part is not to prejudice Australia’s defence, national security etc.    283

789FJ.................... Declarations by the Chief of the Defence Force.............. 283

789FK................... Declarations by the Director‑General of Security........... 284

789FL.................... Declarations by the Director‑General of ASIS............... 284

Part 6‑4C—Coronavirus economic response                                                    285

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        285

789GA.................. Guide to this Part............................................................ 285

789GB................... Object............................................................................. 286

789GC................... Definitions...................................................................... 287

789GCB................ 10% decline in turnover test............................................ 289

789GCC................ Designated quarter.......................................................... 290

789GCD................ 10% decline in turnover certificate.................................. 290

789GCA................ When employer qualifies for the jobkeeper scheme........ 291

Division 2—Employer payment obligations                                                 292

789GD.................. Obligation of employer to satisfy the wage condition..... 292

789GDA............... Minimum payment guarantee.......................................... 292

789GDB................ Hourly rate of pay guarantee........................................... 293

Division 3—Jobkeeper enabling stand down—employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee                                                                                                295

789GDC................ Jobkeeper enabling stand down—employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee         295

Division 4—Duties, location and days of work—employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee                                                                                                297

789GE................... Duties of work—employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee   297

789GF................... Location of work—employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee               297

789GG.................. Days of work etc.—employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee              298

Division 5A—Flexibility provisions relating to employers previously entitled to jobkeeper payment 300

789GJA................. Jobkeeper enabling stand down—employer previously entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee      300

789GJB................. Duties of work—employer previously entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee                302

789GJC................. Location of work—employer previously entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee             303

789GJD................. Days of work etc.—employer previously entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee            304

789GJE................. Termination of direction if employer ceases to satisfy the 10% decline in turnover test           306

789GJF................. Termination of agreement if employer ceases to satisfy the 10% decline in turnover test         307

Division 6—Rules relating to jobkeeper enabling directions              310

789GK................... Reasonableness............................................................... 310

789GL................... Continuing the employment of employees...................... 310

789GM.................. Consultation—employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee       310

789GMA............... Consultation—employer previously entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee    312

789GN.................. Form of direction............................................................ 314

789GP................... Duration.......................................................................... 314

789GQ.................. Compliance..................................................................... 315

Division 7—Service                                                                                                    316

789GR................... Service............................................................................ 316

Division 8—Accrual rules                                                                                      317

789GS................... Accrual rules................................................................... 317

Division 9—Employee requests for secondary employment, training etc.           318

789GU.................. Employee requests for secondary employment, training etc. 318

Division 10—Dealing with disputes                                                                   319

789GV.................. FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part 319

789GW.................. Contravening an FWC order dealing with a dispute about the operation of this Part               320

Division 11—Exclusions                                                                                          321

789GX.................. Exclusions...................................................................... 321

Division 12—Protections                                                                                        322

789GXA............... Misuse of jobkeeper enabling direction.......................... 322

789GXB................ 10% decline in turnover test—prohibited conduct.......... 322

789GXC................ False statutory declaration............................................... 323

789GXD............... Federal Court may terminate a jobkeeper enabling direction if employer does not satisfy the 10% decline in turnover test.................................................................... 323

789GXE................ Federal Court may terminate a subsection 789GJD(2) agreement if employer does not satisfy the 10% decline in turnover test................................................................ 324

789GY.................. Protection of workplace rights........................................ 325

789GZ................... Relationship with other laws etc..................................... 325

789GZA................ Redundancy.................................................................... 326

Division 13—Review of this Part                                                                       327

789GZB................ Review of this Part......................................................... 327

Part 6‑5—Miscellaneous                                                                                                 328

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        328

790........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 328

791........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 328

Division 2—Miscellaneous                                                                                     329

792........................ Delegation by Minister................................................... 329

793........................ Liability of bodies corporate........................................... 329

794........................ Signature on behalf of body corporate............................ 330

795........................ Public sector employer to act through employing authority 330

795A..................... The Schedules................................................................. 332

796........................ Regulations—general...................................................... 332

796A..................... Regulations conferring functions.................................... 332

797........................ Regulations dealing with offences.................................. 332

798........................ Regulations dealing with civil penalties.......................... 333

799........................ Regulations dealing with infringement notices................ 333

800........................ Regulations dealing with exhibiting fair work instruments 333

Schedule 1—Application, saving and transitional provisions relating to amendments of this Act                                                                                           334

Part 1—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry) Act 2012                                                                                                                334

1............................ Definitions...................................................................... 334

2............................ Section 789BB of amended Act applies to contracts entered into after commencement           334

3............................ Effect on TCF contract outworker’s entitlements............ 335

4............................ Fair work instruments etc. made before commencement. 335

5............................ Application of Division 3 of Part 6‑4A of amended Act 336

6............................ Application of subsection 203(2A) of amended Act....... 336

7............................ Regulations dealing with various matters........................ 336

Part 2—Amendments made by the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Further MySuper and Transparency Measures) Act 2012                                                      338

8............................ Definitions...................................................................... 338

9............................ Application of sections 149A and 155A of amended Act 338

10.......................... FWC to vary certain modern awards.............................. 338

11.......................... FWC to update text of certain modern awards................ 339

12.......................... Application of paragraph 194(h) of amended Act........... 339

Part 3—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Respect for Emergency Services Volunteers) Act 2016                                                                                                                340

13.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 340

14.......................... Application of amendments—objectionable emergency management terms             340

Part 4—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017                                                                                                                                    342

15.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 342

16.......................... Application of amendments—unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amounts                342

17.......................... Saving of regulations—unreasonable deductions........... 342

18.......................... Application of amendments—increasing maximum penalties for contraventions of certain civil remedy provisions....................................................................... 342

19.......................... Application of amendments—responsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies   343

20.......................... Application of amendments—hindering or obstructing the Fair Work Ombudsman and inspectors etc. 343

21.......................... Application of power to give FWO notices.................... 343

22.......................... Application of amendments relating to self‑incrimination etc.  344

23.......................... Application of requirement for reports not to include information relating to an individual’s affairs       344

24.......................... Application of amendments—false or misleading information or documents          344

24A....................... Application of amendments—presumption where records not provided  344

Part 5—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Repeal of 4 Yearly Reviews and Other Measures) Act 2018                                                                                       345

Division 1—General                                                                                                  345

25.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 345

Division 2—Amendments made by Schedule 1 to the amending Act 346

26.......................... Incomplete review of modern award............................... 346

27.......................... Dismissing applications.................................................. 347

Division 3—Amendments made by Schedule 2 to the amending Act 348

28.......................... Application of amendments—when employees have genuinely agreed to an enterprise agreement         348

Division 4—Amendments made by Schedule 3 to the amending Act 350

29.......................... Application of section 641B of the amended Act............ 350

Part 6—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Corrupting Benefits) Act 2017   351

30.......................... Disclosure by organisations and employers.................... 351

Part 8—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Act 2018                                                                                                                         352

39.......................... Entitlement to unpaid family and domestic violence leave 352

40.......................... Resolving uncertainties and difficulties about interaction between enterprise agreements and unpaid family and domestic violence leave................................................... 352

Schedule 2—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Transfer of Business) Act 2012                                                                                               354

1............................ Definitions...................................................................... 354

2............................ Application of the amendments made by the amending Act 354

Schedule 3—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment Act 2012          355

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                         355

1............................ Definitions...................................................................... 355

Part 2—Default superannuation (Schedule 1)                                                 356

2............................ Schedule 1 to the amending Act...................................... 356

2A......................... Transitional provision—when first variations of default fund term take effect         356

2B.......................... Transitional provision—modern awards made on or after 1 January 2014              357

Part 3—Modern awards (Schedule 3)                                                                   358

3............................ Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the amending Act....................... 358

Part 4—Enterprise agreements (Schedule 4)                                                    359

4............................ Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 359

5............................ Part 2 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 359

6............................ Part 3 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 359

7............................ Part 4 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 360

8............................ Part 5 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 360

Part 5—General protections (Schedule 5)                                                           361

9............................ Part 1 of Schedule 5 to the amending Act....................... 361

Part 6—Unfair dismissal (Schedule 6)                                                                   362

10.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 362

11.......................... Part 2 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 362

12.......................... Part 3 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 362

13.......................... Part 4 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 362

Part 7—Industrial action (Schedule 7)                                                                  363

14.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 7 to the amending Act....................... 363

15.......................... Part 2 of Schedule 7 to the amending Act....................... 363

16.......................... Part 3 of Schedule 7 to the amending Act....................... 363

Part 8—The Fair Work Commission (Schedule 8)                                        364

17.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 364

18.......................... Part 2 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 364

19.......................... Part 4 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 364

20.......................... Part 5 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 364

21.......................... Part 6 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 364

22.......................... Part 7 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 365

23.......................... Part 8 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 365

Part 9—Changing the name of Fair Work Australia (Schedule 9)     366

24.......................... Transitional provision—President.................................. 366

25.......................... Transitional provision—Deputy President...................... 367

26.......................... Transitional provision—Commissioner.......................... 368

27.......................... Transitional provision—Minimum Wage Panel Member 369

28.......................... Operation of laws—things done by, or in relation to, FWA 370

29.......................... Transitional provision—General Manager and staff of FWA  370

30.......................... Operation of section 7 and subsection 25B(1) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 not limited                371

Part 10—Other amendments (Schedule 10)                                                       372

31.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 10 to the amending Act..................... 372

Part 11—Regulations                                                                                                       373

32.......................... Regulations about application, transitional and saving matters 373

Schedule 4—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment Act 2013          374

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                         374

1............................ Definition........................................................................ 374

Part 2—Family‑friendly measures (Schedule 1)                                              375

2............................ Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 375

3............................ Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 375

4............................ Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 375

5............................ Part 4 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 375

6............................ Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 376

Part 3—Modern awards objective (Schedule 2)                                              377

7............................ Schedule 2 to the amending Act...................................... 377

Part 4—Anti‑bullying measure (Schedule 3)                                                     378

8............................ Schedule 3 to the amending Act...................................... 378

Part 4A—Conferences (Schedule 3A)                                                                   379

8A......................... Schedule 3A to the amending Act................................... 379

Part 5—Right of entry (Schedule 4)                                                                       380

9............................ Schedule 4 to the amending Act...................................... 380

Part 6—Consent arbitration for general protections and unlawful termination (Schedule 4A)               381

10.......................... Schedule 4A to the amending Act................................... 381

Part 7—The FWC (Schedule 5)                                                                                382

11.......................... Item 4 of Schedule 5 to the amending Act...................... 382

Schedule 5—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment Act 2015          383

1............................ Definition........................................................................ 383

2............................ Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 383

9............................ Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 383

11.......................... Part 7 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 383

14.......................... Part 10 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act..................... 383

Endnotes                                                                                                                                  384

Endnote 1—About the endnotes                                                                          384

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key                                                                              386

Endnote 3—Legislation history                                                                           387

Endnote 4—Amendment history                                                                         396


Chapter 4Compliance and enforcement

Part 4‑1Civil remedies

Division 1Introduction

537  Guide to this Part

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

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

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

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

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

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

Division 5 deals with unclaimed money.

538  Meanings of employee and employer

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

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

Division 2Orders

Subdivision AApplications for orders

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Standing, jurisdiction and maximum penalties

Item

Column 1
Civil remedy provision

Column 2
Persons

Column 3
Courts

Column 4
Maximum penalty

Part 2‑1—Core provisions

1

44(1)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

2

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

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an employee organisation;

(d) an employer organisation;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

3

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

(a) an outworker;

(b) an employer;

(c) an outworker entity;

(d) an employee organisation;

(e) an employer organisation;

(f) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

4

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

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

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

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

5

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

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an employee organisation;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 2‑4—Enterprise agreements

5A

179(1)

179(5)

(a) an employee;

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

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

5B

180(4A)

180(4B)

180(4C)

(a) an employee;

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

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

6

233

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

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

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 2‑5—Workplace determinations

7

280

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

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

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 2‑6—Minimum wages

8

293

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 2‑7—Equal remuneration

9

305

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 2‑9—Other terms and conditions of employment

10

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

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

10A

325(1A)

(a) a prospective employee;

(b) an employee;

(c) an employee organisation;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 3‑1—General protections

11

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

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an industrial association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

12

378

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

(b) an industrial association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

Part 3‑2—Unfair dismissal

13

405

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an employer organisation;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 3‑3—Industrial action

14

417(1)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

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

(d) a person affected by the industrial action;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

15

421(1)

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

16

434

an inspector

the Federal Court

60 penalty units

17

458(2)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

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

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

30 penalty units

18

462(1)
462(3)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

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

(d) the protected action ballot agent;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

30 penalty units

19

463(1)
463(2)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

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

(d) the protected action ballot agent;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

20

467(1)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employer;

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

(d) the protected action ballot agent;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

30 penalty units

21

470(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

22

473(1)
473(2)

(a) an employer;

(b) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

23

474(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

24

475(1)
475(2)

(a) an employer;

(b) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

Part 3‑4—Right of entry

25

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

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

26

517(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

Part 3‑5—Stand down

27

527

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 3‑6—Other rights and responsibilities

28

530(4)

(a) an employee;

(b) a registered employee association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

30 penalty units

29

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

(a) an employee;

(b) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

Part 4‑1—Civil remedies

29A

558B(1)

558B(2)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

Part 5‑1—The Fair Work Commission

30

611(3)

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

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an employer organisation;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 5‑2—Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman

30A

707A(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

31

711(3)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

30 penalty units

32

712(3)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

32A

712B(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

600 penalty units

33

716(5)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

30 penalty units

33A

718A(1)

an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 6‑3—Extension of National Employment Standards entitlements

34

745(1)
760

(a) an employee;

(b) a registered employee association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

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

34A

768AG

(a) the transferring employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an employee organisation;

(d) an employer organisation;

(e) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

34B

768BT

(a) the transferring employee;

(b) an employer;

(c) an employee organisation;

(d) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

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

35

772(1)
777(3)

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an industrial association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

36

782

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

(b) an industrial association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

60 penalty units

37

785(4)

(a) an employee;

(b) a registered employee association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court

30 penalty units

Part 6‑4B—Workers bullied at work

38

789FG

(a) a person affected by the contravention;

(b) an industrial association;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

Part 6‑4C—Coronavirus economic response

39

789GD

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

for a serious contravention—600 penalty units; or

otherwise—60 penalty units

40

789GDA(2)

789GDB(2)

789GDB(3)

789GJE(3)

789GJE(5)

789GJF(4)

789GJF(6)

789GU

789GW

789GXB(1)

789GXB(2)

789GXB(3)

789GXC(1)

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

60 penalty units

41

789GXA

(a) an employee;

(b) an employee organisation;

(c) an inspector

(a) the Federal Court;

(b) the Federal Circuit Court;

(c) an eligible State or Territory court

600 penalty units

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

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

                     (a)  the regulations must set out:

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

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

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

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

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

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

540  Limitations on who may apply for orders etc.

Employees, employers, outworkers and outworker entities

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

                     (a)  an employee;

                    (aa)  a prospective employee;

                     (b)  an employer;

                     (c)  an outworker;

                     (d)  an outworker entity.

Employee organisations and registered employee associations

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

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

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

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

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

                     (b)  a contravention or proposed contravention of:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Employer organisations

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

Industrial associations

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

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

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

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

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

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

Regulations

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

541  Applications for orders in relation to safety net contractual entitlements

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

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

             (3)  The provisions and terms are the following:

                     (a)  a provision of the National Employment Standards;

                     (b)  a term of a modern award;

                     (c)  a term of an enterprise agreement;

                     (d)  a term of a workplace determination;

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

                      (f)  a term of an equal remuneration order.

542  Entitlements under contracts

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

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

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

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

544  Time limit on applications

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

                     (a)  a civil remedy provision;

                     (b)  a safety net contractual entitlement;

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

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

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

Subdivision BOrders

545  Orders that can be made by particular courts

Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                     (c)  an order for reinstatement of a person.