Contents
Chapter 1—Introduction 1
Part 1‑1—Introduction 1
Division 1—Preliminary 1
1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1
2............ Commencement................................................................................... 1
Division 2—Object of this Act 4
3............ Object of this Act................................................................................ 4
Division 3—Guide to this Act 6
4............ Guide to this Act................................................................................. 6
5............ Terms and conditions of employment (Chapter 2).............................. 7
6............ Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc. (Chapter 3) 8
7............ Compliance and enforcement (Chapter 4)........................................... 9
8............ Administration (Chapter 5)................................................................. 9
9............ Miscellaneous (Chapter 6)................................................................ 10
9A......... Application, transitional and saving provisions for amendments (Schedules) 11
Part 1‑2—Definitions 12
Division 1—Introduction 12
10.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 12
11.......... Meanings of employee and employer................................................ 12
Division 2—The Dictionary 13
12.......... The Dictionary.................................................................................. 13
Division 3—Definitions relating to the meanings of employee, employer etc. 48
13.......... Meaning of national system employee.............................................. 48
14.......... Meaning of national system employer.............................................. 48
14A....... Transitional matters relating to employers etc. becoming, or ceasing to be, national system employers etc. 50
15.......... Ordinary meanings of employee and employer................................. 51
15A....... Meaning of casual employee............................................................. 51
Division 4—Other definitions 53
16.......... Meaning of base rate of pay............................................................. 53
17.......... Meaning of child of a person............................................................ 54
17A....... Meaning of directly and indirectly (in relation to TCF work)............ 54
18.......... Meaning of full rate of pay................................................................ 55
19.......... Meaning of industrial action............................................................. 56
20.......... Meaning of ordinary hours of work for award/agreement free employees 57
21.......... Meaning of pieceworker................................................................... 58
22.......... Meanings of service and continuous service..................................... 59
23.......... Meaning of small business employer................................................ 62
23A....... Terms relating to superannuation...................................................... 63
Part 1‑3—Application of this Act 65
Division 1—Introduction 65
24.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 65
25.......... Meanings of employee and employer................................................ 65
Division 2—Interaction with State and Territory laws 66
26.......... Act excludes State or Territory industrial laws.................................. 66
27.......... State and Territory laws that are not excluded by section 26............. 68
28.......... Act excludes prescribed State and Territory laws.............................. 69
29.......... Interaction of modern awards and enterprise agreements with State and Territory laws 70
30.......... Act may exclude State and Territory laws etc. in other cases............ 70
Division 2A—Application of this Act in States that refer matters before 1 July 2009 71
30A....... Meaning of terms used in this Division............................................ 71
30B....... Meaning of referring State................................................................ 76
30C....... Extended meaning of national system employee............................... 79
30D....... Extended meaning of national system employer............................... 79
30E........ Extended ordinary meanings of employee and employer................... 80
30F........ Extended meaning of outworker entity.............................................. 80
30G....... General protections........................................................................... 81
30H....... Division only has effect if supported by reference............................ 81
Division 2B—Application of this Act in States that refer matters after 1 July 2009 but on or before 1 January 2010 82
30K....... Meaning of terms used in this Division............................................ 82
30L........ Meaning of referring State................................................................ 87
30M...... Extended meaning of national system employee............................... 90
30N....... Extended meaning of national system employer............................... 90
30P........ Extended ordinary meanings of employee and employer................... 91
30Q....... Extended meaning of outworker entity.............................................. 91
30R....... General protections........................................................................... 92
30S........ Division only has effect if supported by reference............................ 92
Division 3—Geographical application of this Act 93
31.......... Exclusion of persons etc. insufficiently connected with Australia..... 93
32.......... Regulations may modify application of this Act in certain parts of Australia 93
32A....... Rules may modify application of this Act in Norfolk Island............. 94
33.......... Extension of this Act to the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf 94
34.......... Extension of this Act beyond the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf 96
35.......... Meanings of Australian employer and Australian‑based employee.. 98
35A....... Regulations excluding application of Act.......................................... 99
36.......... Geographical application of offences................................................ 99
Division 4—Miscellaneous 100
37.......... Act binds Crown............................................................................. 100
38.......... Act not to apply so as to exceed Commonwealth power................. 100
39.......... Acquisition of property................................................................... 101
40.......... Interaction between fair work instruments and public sector employment laws 101
40A....... Application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.............................. 102
Chapter 2—Terms and conditions of employment 103
Part 2‑1—Core provisions for this Chapter 103
Division 1—Introduction 103
41.......... Guide to this Part............................................................................ 103
42.......... Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 104
Division 2—Core provisions for this Chapter 105
Subdivision A—Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act 105
43.......... Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act....... 105
Subdivision B—Terms and conditions of employment provided by the National Employment Standards 106
44.......... Contravening the National Employment Standards......................... 106
Subdivision C—Terms and conditions of employment provided by a modern award 106
45.......... Contravening a modern award........................................................ 106
46.......... The significance of a modern award applying to a person............... 106
47.......... When a modern award applies to an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity 107
48.......... When a modern award covers an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity 108
49.......... When a modern award is in operation............................................. 109
Subdivision D—Terms and conditions of employment provided by an enterprise agreement 110
50.......... Contravening an enterprise agreement............................................. 110
51.......... The significance of an enterprise agreement applying to a person... 110
52.......... When an enterprise agreement applies to an employer, employee or employee organisation 110
53.......... When an enterprise agreement covers an employer, employee or employee organisation 111
54.......... When an enterprise agreement is in operation................................. 112
Division 3—Interaction between the National Employment Standards, modern awards and enterprise agreements 114
Subdivision A—Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or an enterprise agreement 114
55.......... Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or enterprise agreement 114
56.......... Terms of a modern award or enterprise agreement contravening section 55 have no effect 116
Subdivision B—Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements 117
57.......... Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements...... 117
57A....... Designated outworker terms of a modern award continue to apply. 117
Subdivision C—Interaction between one or more enterprise agreements 118
58.......... Only one enterprise agreement can apply to an employee............... 118
Part 2‑2—The National Employment Standards 120
Division 1—Introduction 120
59.......... Guide to this Part............................................................................ 120
60.......... Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 120
Division 2—The National Employment Standards 122
61.......... The National Employment Standards are minimum standards applying to employment of employees 122
Division 3—Maximum weekly hours 123
62.......... Maximum weekly hours................................................................. 123
63.......... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for averaging of hours of work 124
64.......... Averaging of hours of work for award/agreement free employees. 125
Division 4—Requests for flexible working arrangements 126
65.......... Requests for flexible working arrangements................................... 126
66.......... State and Territory laws that are not excluded................................. 128
Division 4A—Offers and requests for casual conversion 129
Subdivision A—Application of Division 129
66A....... Division applies to casual employees etc......................................... 129
Subdivision B—Employer offers for casual conversion 129
66AA.... Subdivision does not apply to small business employers................ 129
66B....... Employer offers.............................................................................. 129
66C....... When employer offers not required................................................. 130
66D....... Employee must give a response...................................................... 132
66E........ Acceptances of offers...................................................................... 132
Subdivision C—Residual right to request casual conversion 132
66F........ Employee requests.......................................................................... 132
66G....... Employer must give a response....................................................... 134
66H....... Refusals of requests........................................................................ 134
66J........ Grants of requests........................................................................... 135
Subdivision D—Other provisions 136
66K....... Effect of conversion........................................................................ 136
66L........ Other rights and obligations............................................................ 136
66M...... Disputes about the operation of this Division................................. 136
Division 5—Parental leave and related entitlements 139
Subdivision A—General 139
67.......... General rule—employee must have completed at least 12 months of service 139
68.......... General rule for adoption‑related leave—child must be under 16 etc. 141
69.......... Transfer of employment situations in which employee is entitled to continue on leave etc. 141
Subdivision B—Parental leave 142
70.......... Entitlement to unpaid parental leave................................................ 142
71.......... The period of leave—other than for members of an employee couple who each intend to take leave 142
72.......... The period of leave—members of an employee couple who each intend to take leave 144
72A....... Flexible unpaid parental leave......................................................... 147
73.......... Pregnant employee may be required to take unpaid parental leave within 6 weeks before the birth 149
74.......... Notice and evidence requirements................................................... 151
75.......... Extending period of unpaid parental leave—extending to use more of available parental leave period 154
76.......... Extending period of unpaid parental leave—extending for up to 12 months beyond available parental leave period........................................................................................................ 155
77.......... Reducing period of unpaid parental leave........................................ 157
77A....... Effect of stillbirth or death of child on unpaid parental leave........... 157
78.......... Employee who ceases to have responsibility for care of child......... 159
78A....... Hospitalised children....................................................................... 159
79.......... Interaction with paid leave............................................................... 161
79A....... Keeping in touch days..................................................................... 162
79B....... Unpaid parental leave not extended by paid leave or keeping in touch days 163
Subdivision C—Other entitlements 163
80.......... Unpaid special maternity leave........................................................ 163
81.......... Transfer to a safe job....................................................................... 165
81A....... Paid no safe job leave...................................................................... 165
82.......... Employee on paid no safe job leave may be asked to provide a further medical certificate 166
82A....... Unpaid no safe job leave................................................................. 167
83.......... Consultation with employee on unpaid parental leave..................... 167
84.......... Return to work guarantee................................................................ 167
84A....... Replacement employees.................................................................. 168
85.......... Unpaid pre‑adoption leave.............................................................. 168
Division 6—Annual leave 170
86.......... Division applies to employees other than casual employees............ 170
87.......... Entitlement to annual leave.............................................................. 170
88.......... Taking paid annual leave................................................................. 171
89.......... Employee not taken to be on paid annual leave at certain times....... 172
90.......... Payment for annual leave................................................................ 172
91.......... Transfer of employment situations that affect entitlement to payment for period of untaken paid annual leave 172
92.......... Paid annual leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms 173
93.......... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out and taking paid annual leave........................................................................................................ 173
94.......... Cashing out and taking paid annual leave for award/agreement free employees 174
Division 7—Personal/carer’s leave, compassionate leave and unpaid family and domestic violence leave 176
Subdivision A—Paid personal/carer’s leave 176
95.......... Subdivision applies to employees other than casual employees...... 176
96.......... Entitlement to paid personal/carer’s leave........................................ 176
97.......... Taking paid personal/carer’s leave.................................................. 176
98.......... Employee taken not to be on paid personal/carer’s leave on public holiday 177
99.......... Payment for paid personal/carer’s leave.......................................... 177
100........ Paid personal/carer’s leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms 177
101........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out paid personal/carer’s leave 177
Subdivision B—Unpaid carer’s leave 178
102........ Entitlement to unpaid carer’s leave.................................................. 178
103........ Taking unpaid carer’s leave............................................................. 178
Subdivision C—Compassionate leave 179
104........ Entitlement to compassionate leave................................................. 179
105........ Taking compassionate leave............................................................ 179
106........ Payment for compassionate leave (other than for casual employees) 180
Subdivision CA—Unpaid family and domestic violence leave 180
106A..... Entitlement to unpaid family and domestic violence leave............... 180
106B..... Taking unpaid family and domestic violence leave.......................... 181
106C..... Confidentiality................................................................................. 182
106D..... Operation of unpaid family and domestic violence leave and leave for victims of crime 182
106E...... Entitlement to days of leave............................................................. 183
Subdivision D—Notice and evidence requirements 183
107........ Notice and evidence requirements................................................... 183
Division 8—Community service leave 185
108........ Entitlement to be absent from employment for engaging in eligible community service activity 185
109........ Meaning of eligible community service activity............................... 185
110........ Notice and evidence requirements................................................... 187
111........ Payment to employees (other than casuals) on jury service............. 187
112........ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................................. 189
Division 9—Long service leave 191
113........ Entitlement to long service leave..................................................... 191
113A..... Enterprise agreements may contain terms discounting service under prior agreements etc. in certain circumstances........................................................................................................ 193
Division 10—Public holidays 195
114........ Entitlement to be absent from employment on public holiday......... 195
115........ Meaning of public holiday.............................................................. 196
116........ Payment for absence on public holiday........................................... 197
Division 11—Notice of termination and redundancy pay 198
Subdivision A—Notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice 198
117........ Requirement for notice of termination or payment in lieu................ 198
118........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for notice of termination by employees 199
Subdivision B—Redundancy pay 199
119........ Redundancy pay.............................................................................. 199
120........ Variation of redundancy pay for other employment or incapacity to pay 200
121........ Exclusions from obligation to pay redundancy pay......................... 201
122........ Transfer of employment situations that affect the obligation to pay redundancy pay 202
Subdivision C—Limits on scope of this Division 203
123........ Limits on scope of this Division..................................................... 203
Division 12—Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish statements 205
124........ Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Fair Work Information Statement 205
125........ Giving new employees the Fair Work Information Statement......... 205
125A..... Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Casual Employment Information Statement 206
125B..... Giving new employees the Casual Employment Information Statement.. 207
Division 13—Miscellaneous 208
126........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for school‑based apprentices and trainees to be paid loadings in lieu.................................................................................................. 208
127........ Regulations about what modern awards and enterprise agreements can do 208
128........ Relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements etc. permitted by this Part for award/agreement free employees................................................................................ 208
129........ Regulations about what can be agreed to etc. in relation to award/agreement free employees 209
130........ Restriction on taking or accruing leave or absence while receiving workers’ compensation 209
131........ Relationship with other Commonwealth laws................................. 210
Part 2‑3—Modern awards 211
Division 1—Introduction 211
132........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 211
133........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 212
Division 2—Overarching provisions 213
134........ The modern awards objective.......................................................... 213
135........ Special provisions relating to modern award minimum wages........ 214
Division 3—Terms of modern awards 215
Subdivision A—Preliminary 215
136........ What can be included in modern awards......................................... 215
137........ Terms that contravene section 136 have no effect........................... 216
138........ Achieving the modern awards objective.......................................... 216
Subdivision B—Terms that may be included in modern awards 216
139........ Terms that may be included in modern awards—general................ 216
140........ Outworker terms............................................................................. 217
141........ Industry‑specific redundancy schemes............................................ 218
142........ Incidental and machinery terms....................................................... 219
Subdivision C—Terms that must be included in modern awards 220
143........ Coverage terms of modern awards other than modern enterprise awards and State reference public sector modern awards........................................................................................................ 220
143A..... Coverage terms of modern enterprise awards................................. 222
143B..... Coverage terms of State reference public sector modern awards..... 224
144........ Flexibility terms.............................................................................. 225
145........ Effect of individual flexibility arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term 226
145A..... Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work................. 227
146........ Terms about settling disputes.......................................................... 227
147........ Ordinary hours of work.................................................................. 228
148........ Base and full rates of pay for pieceworkers.................................... 228
149........ Automatic variation of allowances.................................................. 228
149B..... Term requiring avoidance of liability to pay superannuation guarantee charge 229
149C..... Default fund terms.......................................................................... 229
149D..... Default fund term must provide for contributions to be made to certain funds 229
Subdivision D—Terms that must not be included in modern awards 231
150........ Objectionable terms......................................................................... 231
151........ Terms about payments and deductions for benefit of employer etc. 231
152........ Terms about right of entry............................................................... 232
153........ Terms that are discriminatory.......................................................... 232
154........ Terms that contain State‑based differences...................................... 233
155........ Terms dealing with long service leave............................................. 234
Division 4A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms of modern awards 235
Subdivision A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms 235
156A..... 4 yearly reviews of default fund terms............................................ 235
Subdivision B—The first stage of the 4 yearly review 236
156B..... Making the Default Superannuation List......................................... 236
156C..... Applications to list a standard MySuper product............................ 236
156D..... Submissions on applications to list a standard MySuper product... 237
156E...... Determining applications to list a standard MySuper product......... 238
156F...... First stage criteria............................................................................ 238
Subdivision C—Second stage of the 4 yearly review 239
156G..... Review of the default fund term of modern awards........................ 239
156H..... Default fund term must specify certain superannuation funds......... 240
156J...... Variation to comply with section 149D........................................... 241
156K..... Transitional authorisation for certain superannuation funds............ 241
Subdivision D—The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products 241
156L...... The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products.............. 241
156M.... FWC to invite applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule 242
156N..... Making applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule 242
156P...... FWC to determine applications....................................................... 243
156Q..... The first stage test........................................................................... 244
156R..... Submissions about the first stage test.............................................. 244
156S...... The second stage test....................................................................... 245
156T...... Submissions about the second stage test......................................... 245
Subdivision E—Publishing documents under this Division 246
156U..... Publishing documents under this Division...................................... 246
Division 5—Exercising modern award powers 247
Subdivision A—Exercise of powers if necessary to achieve modern awards objective 247
157........ FWC may vary etc. modern awards if necessary to achieve modern awards objective 247
158........ Applications to vary, revoke or make modern award...................... 248
Subdivision B—Other situations 250
159........ Variation of modern award to update or omit name of employer, organisation or outworker entity 250
159A..... Variation of default fund term of modern award............................. 251
160........ Variation of modern award to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error 252
161........ Variation of modern award on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission 253
Division 6—General provisions relating to modern award powers 254
162........ General............................................................................................ 254
163........ Special criteria relating to changing coverage of modern awards.... 254
164........ Special criteria for revoking modern awards................................... 255
165........ When variation determinations come into operation, other than determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages.............................................................................. 255
166........ When variation determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages come into operation 256
167........ Special rules relating to retrospective variations of awards............. 257
168........ Varied modern award must be published........................................ 258
Division 7—Additional provisions relating to modern enterprise awards 259
168A..... Modern enterprise awards............................................................... 259
168B..... The modern enterprise awards objective......................................... 260
168C..... Rules about making and revoking modern enterprise awards......... 260
168D..... Rules about changing coverage of modern enterprise awards......... 262
Division 8—Additional provisions relating to State reference public sector modern awards 263
168E...... State reference public sector modern awards................................... 263
168F...... The State reference public sector modern awards objective............. 263
168G..... Making State reference public sector modern awards on application 264
168H..... State reference public sector modern awards may contain State‑based differences 265
168J...... When State reference public sector modern awards come into operation 265
168K..... Rules about revoking State reference public sector modern awards 266
168L...... Rules about varying coverage of State reference public sector modern awards 267
Part 2‑4—Enterprise agreements 268
Division 1—Introduction 268
169........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 268
170........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 269
171........ Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 269
Division 2—Employers and employees may make enterprise agreements 271
172........ Making an enterprise agreement...................................................... 271
Division 3—Bargaining and representation during bargaining 274
173........ Notice of employee representational rights...................................... 274
174........ Content and form of notice of employee representational rights...... 275
176........ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are not greenfields agreements 276
177........ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are greenfields agreements 278
178........ Appointment of bargaining representatives—other matters............. 279
178A..... Revocation of appointment of bargaining representatives etc.......... 280
178B..... Notified negotiation period for a proposed single‑enterprise agreement that is a greenfields agreement 281
Division 4—Approval of enterprise agreements 282
Subdivision A—Pre‑approval steps and applications for the FWC’s approval 282
179........ Disclosure by organisations that are bargaining representatives...... 282
179A..... Disclosure by employers................................................................. 283
180........ Employees must be given a copy of a proposed enterprise agreement etc. 284
181........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed enterprise agreement 286
182........ When an enterprise agreement is made............................................ 287
183........ Entitlement of an employee organisation to have an enterprise agreement cover it 288
184........ Multi‑enterprise agreement to be varied if not all employees approve the agreement 289
185........ Bargaining representative must apply for the FWC’s approval of an enterprise agreement 290
185A..... Material that must accompany an application under subsection 182(4) for approval of a greenfields agreement 291
Subdivision B—Approval of enterprise agreements by the FWC 291
186........ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—general requirements 291
187........ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—additional requirements 293
188........ When employees have genuinely agreed to an enterprise agreement 295
188A..... Disclosure documents..................................................................... 296
189........ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement that does not pass better off overall test—public interest test 296
190........ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement with undertakings....... 297
191........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 298
192........ When the FWC may refuse to approve an enterprise agreement..... 298
Subdivision C—Better off overall test 299
193........ Passing the better off overall test..................................................... 299
Subdivision D—Unlawful terms 301
194........ Meaning of unlawful term............................................................... 301
195........ Meaning of discriminatory term..................................................... 302
195A..... Meaning of objectionable emergency management term................ 303
Subdivision E—Approval requirements relating to particular kinds of employees 306
196........ Shiftworkers................................................................................... 306
197........ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement includes pieceworker term.... 306
198........ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement does not include a pieceworker term 307
199........ School‑based apprentices and school‑based trainees....................... 307
200........ Outworkers..................................................................................... 308
Subdivision F—Other matters 308
201........ Approval decision to note certain matters........................................ 308
Division 5—Mandatory terms of enterprise agreements 310
202........ Enterprise agreements to include a flexibility term etc..................... 310
203........ Requirements to be met by a flexibility term................................... 311
204........ Effect of arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term 312
205........ Enterprise agreements to include a consultation term etc................. 313
Division 6—Base rate of pay under enterprise agreements 315
206........ Base rate of pay under an enterprise agreement must not be less than the modern award rate or the national minimum wage order rate etc.......................................................................... 315
Division 7—Variation and termination of enterprise agreements 317
Subdivision A—Variation of enterprise agreements by employers and employees 317
207........ Variation of an enterprise agreement may be made by employers and employees 317
208........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed variation of an enterprise agreement 318
209........ When a variation of an enterprise agreement is made...................... 318
210........ Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of an enterprise agreement 319
211........ When the FWC must approve a variation of an enterprise agreement 319
212........ FWC may approve a variation of an enterprise agreement with undertakings 322
213........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 322
214........ When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of an enterprise agreement 323
215........ Approval decision to note undertakings.......................................... 323
216........ When variation comes into operation.............................................. 324
Subdivision B—Variations of enterprise agreements where there is ambiguity, uncertainty or discrimination 324
217........ Variation of an enterprise agreement to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty 324
217A..... FWC may deal with certain disputes about variations..................... 324
218........ Variation of an enterprise agreement on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission 325
Subdivision C—Termination of enterprise agreements by employers and employees 326
219........ Employers and employees may agree to terminate an enterprise agreement 326
220........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed termination of an enterprise agreement 326
221........ When termination of an enterprise agreement is agreed to............... 327
222........ Application for the FWC’s approval of a termination of an enterprise agreement 327
223........ When the FWC must approve a termination of an enterprise agreement.. 328
224........ When termination comes into operation.......................................... 329
Subdivision D—Termination of enterprise agreements after nominal expiry date 329
225........ Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date 329
226........ When the FWC must terminate an enterprise agreement................. 329
227........ When termination comes into operation.......................................... 330
Division 8—FWC’s general role in facilitating bargaining 331
Subdivision A—Bargaining orders 331
228........ Bargaining representatives must meet the good faith bargaining requirements 331
229........ Applications for bargaining orders.................................................. 332
230........ When the FWC may make a bargaining order................................. 333
231........ What a bargaining order must specify............................................. 334
232........ Operation of a bargaining order...................................................... 336
233........ Contravening a bargaining order..................................................... 336
Subdivision B—Serious breach declarations 336
234........ Applications for serious breach declarations................................... 336
235........ When the FWC may make a serious breach declaration.................. 337
Subdivision C—Majority support determinations and scope orders 339
236........ Majority support determinations..................................................... 339
237........ When the FWC must make a majority support determination......... 339
238........ Scope orders................................................................................... 340
239........ Operation of a scope order.............................................................. 342
Subdivision D—FWC may deal with a bargaining dispute on request 343
240........ Application for the FWC to deal with a bargaining dispute............. 343
Division 9—Low‑paid bargaining 344
241........ Objects of this Division.................................................................. 344
242........ Low‑paid authorisations.................................................................. 344
243........ When the FWC must make a low‑paid authorisation...................... 345
244........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations—general................................ 347
245........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations—enterprise agreement etc. comes into operation 348
246........ FWC’s assistance for the low‑paid................................................. 348
Division 10—Single interest employer authorisations 350
Subdivision A—Declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement 350
247........ Ministerial declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement 350
Subdivision B—Single interest employer authorisations 351
248........ Single interest employer authorisations........................................... 351
249........ When the FWC must make a single interest employer authorisation 351
250........ What a single interest employer authorisation must specify............ 353
251........ Variation of single interest employer authorisations........................ 353
252........ Variation to extend period single interest employer authorisation is in operation 354
Division 11—Other matters 355
253........ Terms of an enterprise agreement that are of no effect.................... 355
254........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 355
254A..... Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions.................... 356
255........ Part does not empower the FWC to make certain orders................. 356
255A..... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................................. 357
256........ Prospective employers and employees............................................ 358
256A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described 358
257........ Enterprise agreements may incorporate material in force from time to time etc. 358
Part 2‑5—Workplace determinations 359
Division 1—Introduction 359
258........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 359
259........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 360
Division 2—Low‑paid workplace determinations 361
260........ Applications for low‑paid workplace determinations...................... 361
261........ When the FWC must make a consent low‑paid workplace determination 362
262........ When the FWC must make a special low‑paid workplace determination—general requirements 363
263........ When the FWC must make a special low‑paid workplace determination—additional requirements 364
264........ Terms etc. of a low‑paid workplace determination.......................... 365
265........ No other terms................................................................................ 365
Division 3—Industrial action related workplace determinations 366
266........ When the FWC must make an industrial action related workplace determination 366
267........ Terms etc. of an industrial action related workplace determination.. 367
268........ No other terms................................................................................ 368
Division 4—Bargaining related workplace determinations 369
269........ When the FWC must make a bargaining related workplace determination 369
270........ Terms etc. of a bargaining related workplace determination............ 370
271........ No other terms................................................................................ 372
271A..... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................................. 372
Division 5—Core terms, mandatory terms and agreed terms of workplace determinations etc. 373
272........ Core terms of workplace determinations......................................... 373
273........ Mandatory terms of workplace determinations............................... 374
274........ Agreed terms for workplace determinations.................................... 375
275........ Factors the FWC must take into account in deciding terms of a workplace determination 376
Division 6—Operation, coverage and interaction etc. of workplace determinations 377
276........ When a workplace determination operates etc................................. 377
277........ Employers, employees and employee organisations covered by a workplace determination 377
278........ Interaction of a workplace determination with enterprise agreements etc. 378
279........ Act applies to a workplace determination as if it were an enterprise agreement 379
Division 7—Other matters 381
280........ Contravening a workplace determination........................................ 381
281........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 381
281AA.. Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions.................... 381
281A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described 382
Part 2‑6—Minimum wages 383
Division 1—Introduction 383
282........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 383
283........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 384
Division 2—Overarching provisions 385
284........ The minimum wages objective........................................................ 385
Division 3—Annual wage reviews 387
Subdivision A—Main provisions 387
285........ Annual wage reviews to be conducted............................................ 387
286........ When annual wage review determinations varying modern awards come into operation 387
287........ When national minimum wage orders come into operation etc........ 388
Subdivision B—Provisions about conduct of annual wage reviews 390
288........ General............................................................................................ 390
289........ Everyone to have a reasonable opportunity to make and comment on submissions 390
290........ President may direct investigations and reports............................... 391
291........ Research must be published............................................................ 392
292........ Varied wage rates must be published.............................................. 392
Division 4—National minimum wage orders 393
293........ Contravening a national minimum wage order................................ 393
294........ Content of national minimum wage order—main provisions.......... 393
295........ Content of national minimum wage order—other matters............... 394
296........ Variation of national minimum wage order to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error 395
297........ When determinations varying national minimum wage orders come into operation 395
298........ Special rule about retrospective variations of national minimum wage orders 396
299........ When a national minimum wage order is in operation..................... 397
Part 2‑7—Equal remuneration 398
Division 1—Introduction 398
300........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 398
301........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 398
Division 2—Equal remuneration orders 399
302........ FWC may make an order requiring equal remuneration.................. 399
303........ Equal remuneration order may increase, but must not reduce, rates of remuneration 400
304........ Equal remuneration order may implement equal remuneration in stages.. 400
305........ Contravening an equal remuneration order...................................... 400
306........ Inconsistency with modern awards, enterprise agreements and orders of the FWC 401
Part 2‑8—Transfer of business 402
Division 1—Introduction 402
307........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 402
308........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 402
309........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 403
Division 2—Transfer of instruments 404
310........ Application of this Division............................................................ 404
311........ When does a transfer of business occur.......................................... 404
312........ Instruments that may transfer.......................................................... 406
313........ Transferring employees and new employer covered by transferable instrument 406
314........ New non‑transferring employees of new employer may be covered by transferable instrument 407
315........ Organisations covered by transferable instrument........................... 408
316........ Transferring employees who are high income employees............... 409
Division 3—Powers of the FWC 411
317........ FWC may make orders in relation to a transfer of business............ 411
318........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and transferring employees 411
319........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and non‑transferring employees 413
320........ Variation of transferable instruments.............................................. 415
Part 2‑9—Other terms and conditions of employment 417
Division 1—Introduction 417
321........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 417
322........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 417
Division 2—Payment of wages etc. 418
323........ Method and frequency of payment.................................................. 418
324........ Permitted deductions....................................................................... 418
325........ Unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amount....................... 419
326........ Certain terms have no effect............................................................ 420
327........ Things given or provided, and amounts required to be spent or paid, in contravention of this Division 421
Division 3—Guarantee of annual earnings 422
328........ Employer obligations in relation to guarantee of annual earnings.... 422
329........ High income employee.................................................................... 423
330........ Guarantee of annual earnings and annual rate of guarantee............. 424
331........ Guaranteed period........................................................................... 424
332........ Earnings.......................................................................................... 425
333........ High income threshold.................................................................... 426
333A..... Prospective employees.................................................................... 427
Chapter 3—Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc. 428
Part 3‑1—General protections 428
Division 1—Introduction 428
334........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 428
335........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 428
336........ Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 429
Division 2—Application of this Part 430
337........ Application of this Part................................................................... 430
338........ Action to which this Part applies..................................................... 430
339........ Additional effect of this Part........................................................... 431
Division 3—Workplace rights 433
340........ Protection........................................................................................ 433
341........ Meaning of workplace right............................................................ 433
342........ Meaning of adverse action.............................................................. 435
343........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 438
344........ Undue influence or pressure........................................................... 438
345........ Misrepresentations.......................................................................... 439
Division 4—Industrial activities 440
346........ Protection........................................................................................ 440
347........ Meaning of engages in industrial activity....................................... 440
348........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 441
349........ Misrepresentations.......................................................................... 441
350........ Inducements—membership action.................................................. 442
Division 5—Other protections 443
351........ Discrimination................................................................................. 443
352........ Temporary absence—illness or injury............................................. 444
353........ Bargaining services fees.................................................................. 444
354........ Coverage by particular instruments................................................. 445
355........ Coercion—allocation of duties etc. to particular person.................. 445
356........ Objectionable terms......................................................................... 446
Division 6—Sham arrangements 447
357........ Misrepresenting employment as independent contracting arrangement 447
358........ Dismissing to engage as independent contractor............................. 447
359........ Misrepresentation to engage as independent contractor................... 447
Division 7—Ancillary rules 449
360........ Multiple reasons for action.............................................................. 449
361........ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise............ 449
362........ Advising, encouraging, inciting or coercing action......................... 449
363........ Actions of industrial associations.................................................... 449
364........ Unincorporated industrial associations............................................ 451
Division 8—Compliance 452
Subdivision A—Contraventions involving dismissal 452
365........ Application for the FWC to deal with a dismissal dispute............... 452
366........ Time for application........................................................................ 452
367........ Application fees.............................................................................. 452
368........ Dealing with a dismissal dispute (other than by arbitration)............ 453
369........ Dealing with a dismissal dispute by arbitration............................... 453
370........ Taking a dismissal dispute to court................................................. 455
Subdivision B—Other contraventions 455
372........ Application for the FWC to deal with a non‑dismissal dispute....... 455
373........ Application fees.............................................................................. 456
374........ Conferences.................................................................................... 456
375........ Advice on general protections court application.............................. 456
Subdivision C—Appeals and costs orders 457
375A..... Appeal rights................................................................................... 457
375B..... Costs orders against parties............................................................. 457
376........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 457
377........ Applications for costs orders.......................................................... 458
377A..... Schedule of costs............................................................................ 458
378........ Contravening costs orders............................................................... 459
Part 3‑2—Unfair dismissal 460
Division 1—Introduction 460
379........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 460
380........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 460
381........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 460
Division 2—Protection from unfair dismissal 462
382........ When a person is protected from unfair dismissal........................... 462
383........ Meaning of minimum employment period...................................... 462
384........ Period of employment..................................................................... 462
Division 3—What is an unfair dismissal 464
385........ What is an unfair dismissal............................................................. 464
386........ Meaning of dismissed..................................................................... 464
387........ Criteria for considering harshness etc............................................. 465
388........ The Small Business Fair Dismissal Code....................................... 466
389........ Meaning of genuine redundancy..................................................... 466
Division 4—Remedies for unfair dismissal 467
390........ When the FWC may order remedy for unfair dismissal.................. 467
391........ Remedy—reinstatement etc............................................................. 467
392........ Remedy—compensation................................................................. 469
393........ Monetary orders may be in instalments........................................... 470
Division 5—Procedural matters 471
394........ Application for unfair dismissal remedy......................................... 471
395........ Application fees.............................................................................. 471
396........ Initial matters to be considered before merits.................................. 472
397........ Matters involving contested facts.................................................... 472
398........ Conferences.................................................................................... 472
399........ Hearings.......................................................................................... 473
399A..... Dismissing applications.................................................................. 473
400........ Appeal rights................................................................................... 474
400A..... Costs orders against parties............................................................. 474
401........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 474
402........ Applications for costs orders.......................................................... 475
403........ Schedule of costs............................................................................ 475
404........ Security for costs............................................................................ 476
405........ Contravening orders under this Part................................................ 476
Part 3‑3—Industrial action 477
Division 1—Introduction 477
406........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 477
407........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 478
Division 2—Protected industrial action 479
Subdivision A—What is protected industrial action 479
408........ Protected industrial action............................................................... 479
409........ Employee claim action..................................................................... 479
410........ Employee response action............................................................... 481
411........ Employer response action............................................................... 481
412........ Pattern bargaining........................................................................... 482
Subdivision B—Common requirements for industrial action to be protected industrial action 483
413........ Common requirements that apply for industrial action to be protected industrial action 483
414........ Notice requirements for industrial action......................................... 485
Subdivision C—Significance of industrial action being protected industrial action 486
415........ Immunity provision......................................................................... 486
416........ Employer response action—employer may refuse to make payments to employees 486
416A..... Employer response action does not affect continuity of employment 486
Division 3—No industrial action before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc. 488
417........ Industrial action must not be organised or engaged in before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc. 488
Division 4—FWC orders stopping etc. industrial action 490
418........ FWC must order that industrial action by employees or employers stop etc. 490
419........ FWC must order that industrial action by non‑national system employees or non‑national system employers stop etc......................................................................................................... 491
420........ Interim orders etc............................................................................ 492
421........ Contravening an order etc............................................................... 492
Division 5—Injunction against industrial action if pattern bargaining is being engaged in 494
422........ Injunction against industrial action if a bargaining representative is engaging in pattern bargaining 494
Division 6—Suspension or termination of protected industrial action by the FWC 495
423........ FWC may suspend or terminate protected industrial action—significant economic harm etc. 495
424........ FWC must suspend or terminate protected industrial action—endangering life etc. 497
425........ FWC must suspend protected industrial action—cooling off.......... 498
426........ FWC must suspend protected industrial action—significant harm to a third party 499
427........ FWC must specify the period of suspension................................... 500
428........ Extension of a period of suspension............................................... 501
429........ Employee claim action without a further protected action ballot after a period of suspension etc. 501
430........ Notice of employee claim action engaged in after a period of suspension etc. 502
Division 7—Ministerial declarations 504
431........ Ministerial declaration terminating industrial action........................ 504
432........ Informing people of declaration...................................................... 504
433........ Ministerial directions to remove or reduce threat............................. 505
434........ Contravening a Ministerial direction............................................... 505
Division 8—Protected action ballots 506
Subdivision A—Introduction 506
435........ Guide to this Division..................................................................... 506
436........ Object of this Division.................................................................... 506
Subdivision B—Protected action ballot orders 507
437........ Application for a protected action ballot order................................. 507
438........ Restriction on when application may be made................................. 508
439........ Joint applications............................................................................. 508
440........ Notice of application....................................................................... 509
441........ Application to be determined within 2 days after it is made............ 509
442........ Dealing with multiple applications together..................................... 509
443........ When the FWC must make a protected action ballot order.............. 510
444........ FWC may decide on ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission and independent advisor 511
445........ Notice of protected action ballot order............................................. 512
446........ Protected action ballot order may require 2 or more protected action ballots to be held at the same time 512
447........ Variation of protected action ballot order........................................ 513
448........ Revocation of protected action ballot order..................................... 513
Subdivision C—Conduct of protected action ballot 513
449........ Protected action ballot to be conducted by Australian Electoral Commission or other specified ballot agent 513
450........ Directions for conduct of protected action ballot............................. 514
451........ Timetable for protected action ballot................................................ 515
452........ Compilation of roll of voters........................................................... 516
453........ Who is eligible to be included on the roll of voters......................... 516
454........ Variation of roll of voters................................................................ 517
455........ Protected action ballot papers.......................................................... 519
456........ Who may vote in protected action ballot.......................................... 519
457........ Results of protected action ballot..................................................... 519
458........ Report about conduct of protected action ballot............................... 519
Subdivision D—Effect of protected action ballot 521
459........ Circumstances in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot 521
460........ Immunity for persons who act in good faith on protected action ballot results 522
461........ Validity of protected action ballot etc. not affected by technical breaches 523
Subdivision E—Compliance 524
462........ Interferences etc. with protected action ballot.................................. 524
463........ Contravening a protected action ballot order etc.............................. 526
Subdivision F—Liability for costs of protected action ballot 526
464........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission 526
465........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by protected action ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission.................................................................................... 527
466........ Costs of legal challenges................................................................. 527
Subdivision G—Miscellaneous 528
467........ Information about employees on roll of voters not to be disclosed. 528
468........ Records........................................................................................... 529
469........ Regulations..................................................................................... 529
Division 9—Payments relating to periods of industrial action 530
Subdivision A—Protected industrial action 530
470........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action 530
471........ Payments relating to partial work bans............................................ 531
472........ Orders by the FWC relating to certain partial work bans................ 533
473........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action 534
Subdivision B—Industrial action that is not protected industrial action 535
474........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action 535
475........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action 536
Subdivision C—Miscellaneous 537
476........ Other responses to industrial action unaffected............................... 537
Division 10—Other matters 538
477........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 538
Part 3‑4—Right of entry 539
Division 1—Introduction 539
478........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 539
479........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 539
480........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 540
Division 2—Entry rights under this Act 541
Subdivision A—Entry to investigate suspected contravention 541
481........ Entry to investigate suspected contravention................................... 541
482........ Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................. 542
483........ Later access to record or document................................................. 543
483AA.. Application to the FWC for access to non‑member records............ 544
Subdivision AA—Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF award workers 545
483A..... Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF award workers 545
483B..... Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................. 547
483C..... Later access to record or document................................................. 548
483D..... Entry onto other premises to access records and documents........... 549
483E...... Later access to record or document—other premises...................... 550
Subdivision B—Entry to hold discussions 551
484........ Entry to hold discussions................................................................ 551
Subdivision C—Requirements for permit holders 552
486........ Permit holder must not contravene this Subdivision....................... 552
487........ Giving entry notice or exemption certificate.................................... 552
488........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................. 553
489........ Producing authority documents....................................................... 553
490........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 554
491........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................... 554
492........ Location of interviews and discussions........................................... 554
492A..... Route to location of interview and discussions............................... 555
493........ Residential premises........................................................................ 555
Division 3—State or Territory OHS rights 556
494........ Official must be permit holder to exercise State or Territory OHS right.. 556
495........ Giving notice of entry..................................................................... 557
496........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................. 558
497........ Producing entry permit.................................................................... 558
498........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 558
499........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................... 558
Division 4—Prohibitions 560
500........ Permit holder must not hinder or obstruct....................................... 560
501........ Person must not refuse or delay entry............................................. 560
502........ Person must not hinder or obstruct permit holder........................... 560
503........ Misrepresentations about things authorised by this Part................. 560
504........ Unauthorised use or disclosure of information or documents......... 561
Division 5—Powers of the FWC 563
Subdivision A—Dealing with disputes 563
505........ FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part........ 563
505A..... FWC may deal with a dispute about frequency of entry to hold discussions 565
506........ Contravening order made to deal with dispute................................ 566
Subdivision B—Taking action against permit holder 566
507........ FWC may take action against permit holder.................................... 566
Subdivision C—Restricting rights of organisations and officials where misuse of rights 567
508........ FWC may restrict rights if organisation or official has misused rights 567
509........ Contravening order made for misuse of rights................................ 568
Subdivision D—When the FWC must revoke or suspend entry permits 568
510........ When the FWC must revoke or suspend entry permits................... 568
Subdivision E—General rules for suspending entry permits 570
511........ General rules for suspending entry permits..................................... 570
Division 6—Entry permits, entry notices and certificates 571
Subdivision A—Entry permits 571
512........ FWC may issue entry permits......................................................... 571
513........ Considering application................................................................... 571
514........ When the FWC must not issue permit............................................. 572
515........ Conditions on entry permit.............................................................. 572
516........ Expiry of entry permit..................................................................... 573
517........ Return of entry permits to the FWC................................................ 574
Subdivision B—Entry notices 574
518........ Entry notice requirements................................................................ 574
Subdivision C—Exemption certificates 576
519........ Exemption certificates..................................................................... 576
Subdivision D—Affected member certificates 577
520........ Affected member certificates........................................................... 577
Subdivision E—Miscellaneous 577
521........ Regulations dealing with instruments under this Part...................... 577
Division 7—Accommodation and transport arrangements in remote areas 579
521A..... Meaning of accommodation arrangement...................................... 579
521B..... Meaning of transport arrangement................................................ 579
521C..... Accommodation arrangements for remote areas.............................. 580
521D..... Transport arrangements for remote areas........................................ 581
Part 3‑5—Stand down 583
Division 1—Introduction 583
522........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 583
523........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 583
Division 2—Circumstances allowing stand down 584
524........ Employer may stand down employees in certain circumstances...... 584
525........ Employee not stood down during a period of authorised leave or absence 585
Division 3—Dealing with disputes 586
526........ FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part........ 586
527........ Contravening an FWC order dealing with a dispute about the operation of this Part 586
Part 3‑6—Other rights and responsibilities 587
Division 1—Introduction 587
528........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 587
529........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 587
Division 2—Notification and consultation relating to certain dismissals 588
Subdivision A—Requirement to notify Centrelink 588
530........ Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed dismissals........ 588
Subdivision B—Failure to notify or consult registered employee associations 589
531........ FWC may make orders where failure to notify or consult registered employee associations about dismissals 589
532........ Orders that the FWC may make...................................................... 590
533........ Application for an FWC order........................................................ 591
Subdivision C—Limits on scope of this Division 591
534........ Limits on scope of this Division..................................................... 591
Division 3—Employer obligations in relation to employee records and pay slips 593
535........ Employer obligations in relation to employee records..................... 593
536........ Employer obligations in relation to pay slips................................... 593
Part 3‑7—Corrupting benefits 595
Division 1—Introduction 595
536A..... Guide to this Part............................................................................ 595
536B..... Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 595
536C..... Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws............................ 595
536CA.. Dishonesty...................................................................................... 596
Division 2—Giving, receiving or soliciting corrupting benefits 597
536D..... Giving, receiving or soliciting a corrupting benefit......................... 597
536E...... Meaning of registered organisations officer or employee................ 599
Division 3—Cash or in kind payments to employee organisations etc. 601
536F...... Giving a cash or in kind payment.................................................... 601
536G..... Receiving or soliciting a cash or in kind payment........................... 603
536H..... Implied freedom of political communication................................... 604
An Act relating to workplace relations, and for related purposes
Chapter 1—Introduction
Part 1‑1—Introduction
Division 1—Preliminary
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Fair Work Act 2009.
2 Commencement
(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.
| Commencement information |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
| Provision(s) | Commencement | Date/Details |
| 1. Sections 1 and 2 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table | The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent. | 7 April 2009 |
| 2. Sections 3 to 40 | A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. However, if any of the provision(s) do not commence within the period of 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the first day after the end of that period. | 26 May 2009 (see F2009L01818) |
| 3. Sections 41 to 572 | A day or days to be fixed by Proclamation. A Proclamation must not specify a day that occurs before the day on which the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 receives the Royal Assent. However, if any of the provision(s) do not commence within the period of 12 months beginning on the day on which the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the first day after the end of that period. | Sections 41–43, 50–54, 58, 169–281A, 300–327, 332, 333, 334–572: 1 July 2009 (see F2009L02563) Sections 44–49, 55–57A, 59–168, 282–299, 328–331, 333A: 1 January 2010 (see F2009L02563) |
| 4. Sections 573 to 718 | At the same time as the provision(s) covered by table item 2. | 26 May 2009 |
| 5. Sections 719 to 800 | A day or days to be fixed by Proclamation. A Proclamation must not specify a day that occurs before the day on which the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 receives the Royal Assent. However, if any of the provision(s) do not commence within the period of 12 months beginning on the day on which the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the first day after the end of that period. | Sections 719–740, 769–800: 1 July 2009 (see F2009L02563) Sections 741–768: 1 January 2010 (see F2009L02563) |
| 6. Schedule 1 | At the same time as the provision(s) covered by table item 2. | 26 May 2009 |
Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally passed by both Houses of the Parliament and assented to. It will not be expanded to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.
(2) Column 3 of the table contains additional information that is not part of this Act. Information in this column may be added to or edited in any published version of this Act.
Division 2—Object of this Act
3 Object of this Act
The object of this Act is to provide a balanced framework for cooperative and productive workplace relations that promotes national economic prosperity and social inclusion for all Australians by:
(a) providing workplace relations laws that are fair to working Australians, are flexible for businesses, promote productivity and economic growth for Australia’s future economic prosperity and take into account Australia’s international labour obligations; and
(b) ensuring a guaranteed safety net of fair, relevant and enforceable minimum terms and conditions through the National Employment Standards, modern awards and national minimum wage orders; and
(c) ensuring that the guaranteed safety net of fair, relevant and enforceable minimum wages and conditions can no longer be undermined by the making of statutory individual employment agreements of any kind given that such agreements can never be part of a fair workplace relations system; and
(d) assisting employees to balance their work and family responsibilities by providing for flexible working arrangements; and
(e) enabling fairness and representation at work and the prevention of discrimination by recognising the right to freedom of association and the right to be represented, protecting against unfair treatment and discrimination, providing accessible and effective procedures to resolve grievances and disputes and providing effective compliance mechanisms; and
(f) achieving productivity and fairness through an emphasis on enterprise‑level collective bargaining underpinned by simple good faith bargaining obligations and clear rules governing industrial action; and
(g) acknowledging the special circumstances of small and medium‑sized businesses.
Division 3—Guide to this Act
4 Guide to this Act
Overview of this Act
(1) This Act is about workplace relations. It:
(a) provides for terms and conditions of employment (Chapter 2); and
(b) sets out rights and responsibilities of employees, employers and organisations in relation to that employment (Chapter 3); and
(c) provides for compliance with, and enforcement of, this Act (Chapter 4); and
(d) provides for the administration of this Act by establishing the Fair Work Commission and the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman (Chapter 5); and
(e) deals with other matters relating to the above (Chapter 6).
Overview of the rest of this Chapter
(2) The rest of this Chapter deals with:
(a) definitions that are used in this Act (Part 1‑2); and
(b) the application of this Act (Part 1‑3), including how this Act interacts with certain State and Territory laws and its geographical application.
Definitions
(3) Many of the terms in this Act are defined. The Dictionary in section 12 contains a list of every term that is defined in this Act.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for amendments
(4) Schedule 1 contains application, saving and transitional provisions relating to amendments of this Act.
5 Terms and conditions of employment (Chapter 2)
(1) Chapter 2 provides for terms and conditions of employment of national system employees.
(2) Part 2‑1 has the core provisions for the Chapter. It deals with compliance with, and interaction between, the sources of the main terms and conditions provided under this Act—the National Employment Standards, modern awards and enterprise agreements.
Note: Workplace determinations are another source of main terms and conditions. In most cases, this Act applies to a workplace determination as if it were an enterprise agreement in operation (see section 279).
Main terms and conditions
(3) Part 2‑2 contains the National Employment Standards, which are minimum terms and conditions that apply to all national system employees.
(4) Part 2‑3 is about modern awards. A modern award is made for a particular industry or occupation and provides additional minimum terms and conditions for those national system employees to whom it applies. A modern award can have terms that are ancillary or supplementary to the National Employment Standards.
(5) Part 2‑4 is about enterprise agreements. An enterprise agreement is made at the enterprise level and provides terms and conditions for those national system employees to whom it applies. An enterprise agreement can have terms that are ancillary or supplementary to the National Employment Standards.
(6) Part 2‑5 is about workplace determinations. A workplace determination provides terms and conditions for those national system employees to whom it applies. A workplace determination is made by the FWC if certain conditions are met.
(7) Part 2‑8 provides for the transfer of certain modern awards, enterprise agreements, workplace determinations and other instruments if there is a transfer of business from one national system employer to another national system employer.
Other terms and conditions
(8) In addition, other terms and conditions of employment for national system employees include those:
(a) provided by a national minimum wage order (see Part 2‑6) or an equal remuneration order (see Part 2‑7); and
(b) provided by Part 2‑9 (which deals with the frequency and method of making payments to employees, deductions from payments and high‑income employees).
6 Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc. (Chapter 3)
(1) Chapter 3 sets out rights and responsibilities of national system employees, national system employers, organisations and others (such as independent contractors and industrial associations).
(2) Part 3‑1 provides general workplace protections. It:
(a) protects workplace rights; and
(b) protects freedom of association and involvement in lawful industrial activities; and
(c) provides other protections, including protection from discrimination.
(3) Part 3‑2 deals with unfair dismissal of national system employees, and the granting of remedies when that happens.
(4) Part 3‑3 deals mainly with industrial action by national system employees and national system employers and sets out when industrial action is protected industrial action. No action lies under any law in force in a State or Territory in relation to protected industrial action except in certain circumstances.
(5) Part 3‑4 is about the rights of officials of organisations who hold entry permits to enter premises for purposes related to their representative role under this Act and under State or Territory OHS laws. In exercising those rights, permit holders must comply with the requirements set out in the Part.
(6) Part 3‑5 allows a national system employer to stand down a national system employee without pay in certain circumstances.
(7) Part 3‑6 deals with other rights and responsibilities of national system employers in relation to:
(a) termination of employment; and
(b) keeping records and giving payslips.
(8) Part 3‑7 deals with offences in relation to corrupting benefits.
7 Compliance and enforcement (Chapter 4)
(1) Chapter 4 provides for compliance with, and enforcement of, this Act.
(2) Part 4‑1 is about civil remedies. Certain provisions in this Act impose obligations on certain persons. Civil remedies may be sought in relation to contraventions of these civil remedy provisions. Part 4‑1:
(a) deals with applications for orders for contraventions of civil remedy provisions; and
(b) sets out the orders the courts can make in relation to a contravention of a civil remedy provision.
(3) Part 4‑2 is about the jurisdiction and powers of the courts in relation to matters arising under this Act.
8 Administration (Chapter 5)
(1) Chapter 5 provides for the administration of this Act by establishing the Fair Work Commission and the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman.
(2) Part 5‑1 is about the Fair Work Commission. It:
(a) establishes and confers functions on the FWC; and
(b) sets out how matters before the FWC are to be conducted (for example, how the FWC is to deal with applications made to it).
(3) Part 5‑2 is about the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman. It:
(a) establishes and confers functions on the Fair Work Ombudsman; and
(b) confers functions and powers on Fair Work Inspectors.
9 Miscellaneous (Chapter 6)
(1) Chapter 6 is a collection of miscellaneous matters that relate to the other Chapters.
(2) Part 6‑1 provides rules relating to applications for remedies under this Act. It prevents certain applications if other remedies are available and prevents multiple applications or complaints in relation to the same conduct.
(3) Part 6‑2 is about dealing with disputes between national system employees and their employers under modern awards, enterprise agreements and contracts of employment.
(4) Part 6‑3 extends the National Employment Standards relating to unpaid parental leave and notice of termination to non‑national system employees.
(4A) Part 6‑3A provides for the transfer of terms and conditions of employment that are provided for in particular State industrial instruments if there is a transfer of business from a non‑national system employer that is a State public sector employer of the State to a national system employer.
(5) Part 6‑4 contains provisions to give effect, or further effect, to certain international agreements relating to termination of employment.
(5A) Part 6‑4A contains special provisions about TCF outworkers.
(5B) Part 6‑4B allows a worker who has been bullied at work to apply to the FWC for an order to stop the bullying.
(6) Part 6‑5 deals with miscellaneous matters such as delegations and regulations.
9A Application, transitional and saving provisions for amendments (Schedules)
The Schedules contain application, transitional and saving provisions relating to amendments of this Act.
Note: Application, transitional and saving provisions relating to the enactment of this Act, and States becoming referring States, are in the Transitional Act.
Part 1‑2—Definitions
Division 1—Introduction
10 Guide to this Part
This Part is about the terms that are defined in this Act.
Division 2 has the Dictionary (see section 12). The Dictionary is a list of every term that is defined in this Act. A term will either be defined in the Dictionary itself, or in another provision of this Act. If another provision defines the term, the Dictionary will have a signpost to that definition.
Division 3 has definitions relating to the meanings of employee and employer.
Division 4 has some other definitions that apply across this Act.
11 Meanings of employee and employer
In this Part, employee and employer have their ordinary meanings.
Note: See also Division 2 of Part 6‑4A (TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances).
Division 2—The Dictionary
12 The Dictionary
In this Act:
AAT presidential member means a person who is a presidential member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal under the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975.
access period for a proposed enterprise agreement: see subsection 180(4).
accommodation arrangement: see subsections 521A(1) and (2).
action includes an omission.
adoption‑related leave: see subsection 67(5).
adverse action: see section 342.
affected employees for a variation of an enterprise agreement: see subsection 207(2).
affected employer:
(a) in relation to an entry under Subdivision A of Division 2 of Part 3‑4: see subsection 482(2); and
(aa) in relation to an entry under section 483A other than a designated outworker terms entry: see paragraph 483B(3)(a); and
(ab) in relation to a designated outworker terms entry under section 483A: see paragraph 483B(3)(b); and
(b) in relation to an entry in accordance with Division 3 of Part 3‑4: see paragraph 495(2)(a); and
(c) in relation to a State or Territory OHS right to inspect or otherwise access an employee record: see paragraph 495(2)(b).
affected member certificate: see subsection 520(1).
Age Discrimination Commissioner means the Age Discrimination Commissioner appointed under the Age Discrimination Act 2004.
agreed terms for a workplace determination: see section 274.
agreed to in relation to a termination of an enterprise agreement: see section 221.
annual rate of an employee’s guaranteed annual earnings: see subsection 330(3).
annual wage review: see subsection 285(1).
anti‑discrimination law: see subsection 351(3).
apparent indirectly responsible entity: see subsection 789CC(2).
applicable agreement‑derived long service leave terms: see subsection 113(5).
applicable award‑derived long service leave terms: see subsection 113(3).
application or complaint under another law: see subsection 732(2).
applies:
(a) in relation to a modern award: see section 47; and
(b) in relation to an enterprise agreement: see section 52; and
(c) in relation to a copied State instrument: see section 768AM.
applies to employment generally: see subsection 26(4).
appointment of a bargaining representative means an appointment of a bargaining representative under paragraph 176(1)(c) or (d) or 177(c).
appropriate safe job: see subsection 81(3).
approved by the FWC, in relation to an enterprise agreement, means approved by the FWC under section 186 or 189.
associated entity has the meaning given by section 50AAA of the Corporations Act 2001.
Australia means the Commonwealth of Australia and, when used in a geographical sense, includes Norfolk Island, the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, but does not include any other external Territory.
Australian‑based employee: see subsections 35(2) and (3).
Australian employer: see subsection 35(1).
Australian ship means a ship that has Australian nationality under section 29 of the Shipping Registration Act 1981.
authority documents: see subsection 489(3).
available parental leave period: see subsection 75(2).
award/agreement free employee means a national system employee to whom neither a modern award nor an enterprise agreement applies.
award covered employee for an enterprise agreement: see subsection 193(4).
award modernisation process means:
(a) the process of making modern awards under Part 10A of the Workplace Relations Act 1996, as continued by Part 2 of Schedule 5 of the Transitional Act; and
(b) the enterprise instrument modernisation process provided for by Part 2 of Schedule 6 of the Transitional Act; and
(c) the State reference public sector transitional award modernisation process provided for by Part 2 of Schedule 6A of the Transitional Act.
ballot paper: see subsection 455(2).
bargaining order: see subsection 229(1).
bargaining related workplace determination: see subsection 269(1).
bargaining representative for a proposed enterprise agreement: see sections 176 and 177.
bargaining services: see subsection 353(3).
bargaining services fee: see subsection 353(2).
base rate of pay: see section 16.
birth‑related leave: see subsection 67(4).
bullied at work: see subsection 789FD(1).
cash or in kind payment: see subsection 536F(4).
casual employee: see section 15A.
child of a person: see subsection 17(1).
civil remedy provision: see subsections 539(1) and (3).
close relative: see subsection 106B(3).
Commissioner means a Commissioner of the FWC.
common requirements in relation to industrial action: see section 413.
Commonwealth means the Commonwealth of Australia and, when used in a geographical sense, includes Norfolk Island, the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, but does not include any other external Territory.
Commonwealth authority means:
(a) a body corporate established for a public purpose by or under a law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) a body corporate:
(i) incorporated under a law of the Commonwealth or a State or a Territory; and
(ii) in which the Commonwealth has a controlling interest.
Commonwealth Ombudsman means the person for the time being holding office as Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act 1976.
Commonwealth outworker entity means an entity that is an outworker entity otherwise than because of section 30F or 30Q.
Note: Sections 30F and 30Q extend the meaning of outworker entity in relation to a referring State.
Commonwealth place means a place referred to in paragraph 52(i) of the Constitution, other than the seat of government.
compassionate leave means compassionate leave to which a national system employee is entitled under section 104.
complaint about an FWC Member means a complaint referred to in paragraph 581A(1)(a) or section 641A.
complaint handler means:
(a) the President; or
(b) a person who is authorised by the President under subsection 581A(3); or
(c) a person who is a member of a body that is authorised by the President under subsection 581A(3).
compliance powers: see section 703.
compliance purposes: see subsection 706(1).
concurrent leave: see subsection 72(5).
conduct includes an omission.
conduct of a protected action ballot: see subsection 458(5).
connected with a Territory: an arrangement for work to be performed for a person (either directly or indirectly) is connected with a Territory if one or more of the following apply:
(a) at the time the arrangement is made, one or more parties to the arrangement is in a Territory in Australia;
(b) the work is to be performed in such a Territory;
(c) the person carries on an activity (whether of a commercial, governmental or other nature) in such a Territory, and the work is reasonably likely to be performed in that Territory;
(d) the person carries on an activity (whether of a commercial, governmental or other nature) in such a Territory, and the work is to be performed in connection with that activity.
Note: In this context, Australia includes Norfolk Island, the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands (see the definition of Australia).
consent low‑paid workplace determination: see subsection 260(2).
consistent with the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code: see subsection 388(2).
consolidation order:
(a) in relation to a transferring employee—see subsection 768BD(1); and
(b) in relation to a non‑transferring employee—see subsection 768BG(1).
constitutional corporation means a corporation to which paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution applies.
constitutionally‑covered business: see subsection 789FD(3).
constitutionally‑covered entity: see subsection 338(2).
constitutional trade or commerce means trade or commerce:
(a) between Australia and a place outside Australia; or
(b) among the States; or
(c) between a State and a Territory; or
(d) between 2 Territories; or
(e) within a Territory.
continental shelf means:
(a) the continental shelf (as defined in the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973) of Australia (including its external Territories); and
(b) the Greater Sunrise special regime area (as defined in the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973).
continuous service has a meaning affected by section 22.
copied State award: see subsection 768AI(1).
copied State collective employment agreement: see subsection 768AK(4).
copied State employment agreement: see subsection 768AK(1).
copied State individual employment agreement: see subsection 768AK(5).
copied State instrument: see section 768AH.
corporate MySuper product: see subsection 23A(3).
coverage terms:
(a) in relation to a modern award (other than a modern enterprise award): see section 143; and
(b) in relation to a modern enterprise award: see section 143A; and
(c) in relation to a State reference public sector modern award: see section 143B.
covers:
(a) in relation to a modern award: see section 48; and
(b) in relation to an enterprise agreement: see section 53; and
(c) in relation to a workplace determination: see section 277; and
(d) in relation to a copied State instrument: see section 768AN.
day of placement: see subsection 67(6).
de facto partner of a national system employee:
(a) means a person who, although not legally married to the employee, lives with the employee in a relationship as a couple on a genuine domestic basis (whether the employee and the person are of the same sex or different sexes); and
(b) includes a former de facto partner of the employee.
default fund employee: see subsection 149C(2).
default fund term: see subsection 149C(2).
Default Superannuation List: see subsection 156B(1).
defined benefit member has the meaning given by the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992.
Deputy President means a Deputy President of the FWC.
designated emergency management body: see subsections 195A(4) and (5).
designated outworker term of a modern award, enterprise agreement, workplace determination or other instrument, means any of the following terms, so far as the term relates to outworkers in the textile, clothing or footwear industry:
(a) a term that deals with the registration of an employer or outworker entity;
(b) a term that deals with the making and retaining of, or access to, records about work to which outworker terms of a modern award apply;
(c) a term imposing conditions under which an arrangement may be entered into by an employer or an outworker entity for the performance of work, where the work is of a kind that is often performed by outworkers;
(d) a term relating to the liability of an employer or outworker entity for work undertaken by an outworker under such an arrangement, including a term which provides for the outworker to make a claim against an employer or outworker entity;
(e) a term that requires minimum pay or other conditions, including the National Employment Standards, to be applied to an outworker who is not an employee;
(f) any other terms prescribed by the regulations.
designated outworker terms entry: see subsection 483A(5).
directly, when used in relation to TCF work: see section 17A.
Disability Discrimination Commissioner means the Disability Discrimination Commissioner appointed under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
discriminatory term of an enterprise agreement: see section 195.
dismissal remedy bargaining order application: see subsection 726(2).
dismissed: see section 386.
earnings: see subsections 332(1) and (2).
eligible community service activity: see section 109.
eligible State or Territory court means one of the following courts:
(a) a District, County or Local Court;
(b) a magistrates court;
(c) the Industrial Relations Court of South Australia;
(ca) the Industrial Court of New South Wales;
(d) any other State or Territory court that is prescribed by the regulations.
employee is defined in the first Division of each Part (other than Part 1‑1) in which the term appears.
Note 1: The definition in the Part will define employee either as a national system employee or as having its ordinary meaning. However, there may be particular provisions in the Part where a different meaning for the term is specified.
Note 2: If the term has its ordinary meaning, see further subsections 15(1), 30E(1) and 30P(1).
Note 3: See also Division 2 of Part 6‑4A (TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances).
employee A, in relation to a transfer of business referred to in Part 6‑3A: see subsections 768BD(1) and 768BG(1).
employee claim action: see section 409 and paragraph 471(4A)(c).
employee couple: 2 national system employees are an employee couple if each of the employees is the spouse or de facto partner of the other.
employee organisation means an organisation of employees.
employee record, in relation to an employee, means:
(a) something that is an employee record, in relation to the employee, for the purposes of the Privacy Act 1988; or
(b) in the case of a TCF contract outworker who is taken to be an employee by Division 2 of Part 6‑4A of this Act—something that would be an employee record, in relation to the outworker, for the purposes of the Privacy Act 1988, if the outworker were an employee for the purposes of that Act.
employee response action: see section 410 and paragraph 471(4A)(d).
employee with a disability means a national system employee who is qualified for a disability support pension as set out in section 94 or 95 of the Social Security Act 1991, or who would be so qualified but for paragraph 94(1)(e) or 95(1)(c) of that Act.
employer is defined in the first Division of each Part (other than Part 1‑1) in which the term appears.
Note 1: The definition in the Part will define employer either as a national system employer or as having its ordinary meaning. However, there may be particular provisions in the Part where a different meaning for the term is specified.
Note 2: If the term has its ordinary meaning, see further subsections 15(2), 30E(2) and 30P(2).
Note 3: See also Division 2 of Part 6‑4A (TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances).
employer MySuper product: see subsection 23A(1B).
employer organisation means an organisation of employers.
employer response action: see section 411.
employing authority: see subsection 795(6).
engages in industrial activity: see section 347.
enterprise means a business, activity, project or undertaking.
enterprise agreement means:
(a) a single‑enterprise agreement; or
(b) a multi‑enterprise agreement.
entry notice: see subsection 487(2).
entry permit: see section 512.
equal remuneration for work of equal or comparable value: see subsection 302(2).
equal remuneration order: see subsection 302(1).
exclusive economic zone means the exclusive economic zone (as defined in the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973) of Australia (including its external Territories).
exemption certificate: see subsection 519(1).
exempt public sector superannuation scheme has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993.
Expert Panel means an Expert Panel constituted under section 620.
Expert Panel Member means an Expert Panel Member of the FWC.
extended notice of termination provisions: see subsection 759(3).
extended parental leave provisions: see subsection 744(3).
Fair Work Commission or FWC means the body continued in existence by section 575.
Fair Work Information Statement: see subsection 124(1).
Fair Work Inspector means:
(a) a person appointed as a Fair Work Inspector under section 700; or
(b) the Fair Work Ombudsman in his or her capacity as a Fair Work Inspector under section 701.
fair work instrument means:
(a) a modern award; or
(b) an enterprise agreement; or
(c) a workplace determination; or
(d) an FWC order.
family and domestic violence: see subsection 106B(2).
Federal Circuit Court means the Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
Federal Court means the Federal Court of Australia.
first employer, in relation to a transfer of employment: see subsection 22(7).
first stage criteria: see section 156F.
first stage test: see section 156Q.
fixed platform means an artificial island, installation or structure permanently attached to the sea‑bed for the