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 181
106A..... Entitlement to unpaid family and domestic violence leave............... 181
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 183
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 216
Subdivision A—Preliminary 216
136........ What can be included in modern awards......................................... 216
137........ Terms that contravene section 136 have no effect........................... 217
138........ Achieving the modern awards objective.......................................... 217
Subdivision B—Terms that may be included in modern awards 217
139........ Terms that may be included in modern awards—general................ 217
140........ Outworker terms............................................................................. 218
141........ Industry‑specific redundancy schemes............................................ 219
142........ Incidental and machinery terms....................................................... 220
Subdivision C—Terms that must be included in modern awards 221
143........ Coverage terms of modern awards other than modern enterprise awards and State reference public sector modern awards........................................................................................................ 221
143A..... Coverage terms of modern enterprise awards................................. 223
143B..... Coverage terms of State reference public sector modern awards..... 225
144........ Flexibility terms.............................................................................. 226
145........ Effect of individual flexibility arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term 227
145A..... Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work................. 228
146........ Terms about settling disputes.......................................................... 228
147........ Ordinary hours of work.................................................................. 229
148........ Base and full rates of pay for pieceworkers.................................... 229
149........ Automatic variation of allowances.................................................. 229
149B..... Term requiring avoidance of liability to pay superannuation guarantee charge 230
149C..... Default fund terms.......................................................................... 230
149D..... Default fund term must provide for contributions to be made to certain funds 230
Subdivision D—Terms that must not be included in modern awards 232
150........ Objectionable terms......................................................................... 232
151........ Terms about payments and deductions for benefit of employer etc. 232
152........ Terms about right of entry............................................................... 233
153........ Terms that are discriminatory.......................................................... 233
154........ Terms that contain State‑based differences...................................... 234
155........ Terms dealing with long service leave............................................. 235
Division 4A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms of modern awards 236
Subdivision A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms 236
156A..... 4 yearly reviews of default fund terms............................................ 236
Subdivision B—The first stage of the 4 yearly review 237
156B..... Making the Default Superannuation List......................................... 237
156C..... Applications to list a standard MySuper product............................ 237
156D..... Submissions on applications to list a standard MySuper product... 238
156E...... Determining applications to list a standard MySuper product......... 239
156F...... First stage criteria............................................................................ 239
Subdivision C—Second stage of the 4 yearly review 240
156G..... Review of the default fund term of modern awards........................ 240
156H..... Default fund term must specify certain superannuation funds......... 241
156J...... Variation to comply with section 149D........................................... 242
156K..... Transitional authorisation for certain superannuation funds............ 242
Subdivision D—The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products 242
156L...... The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products.............. 242
156M.... FWC to invite applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule 243
156N..... Making applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule 243
156P...... FWC to determine applications....................................................... 244
156Q..... The first stage test........................................................................... 245
156R..... Submissions about the first stage test.............................................. 245
156S...... The second stage test....................................................................... 246
156T...... Submissions about the second stage test......................................... 246
Subdivision E—Publishing documents under this Division 247
156U..... Publishing documents under this Division...................................... 247
Division 5—Exercising modern award powers 248
Subdivision A—Exercise of powers if necessary to achieve modern awards objective 248
157........ FWC may vary etc. modern awards if necessary to achieve modern awards objective 248
158........ Applications to vary, revoke or make modern award...................... 249
Subdivision B—Other situations 251
159........ Variation of modern award to update or omit name of employer, organisation or outworker entity 251
159A..... Variation of default fund term of modern award............................. 252
160........ Variation of modern award to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error 253
161........ Variation of modern award on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission 254
Division 6—General provisions relating to modern award powers 255
162........ General............................................................................................ 255
163........ Special criteria relating to changing coverage of modern awards.... 255
164........ Special criteria for revoking modern awards................................... 256
165........ When variation determinations come into operation, other than determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages.............................................................................. 256
166........ When variation determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages come into operation 257
167........ Special rules relating to retrospective variations of awards............. 258
168........ Varied modern award must be published........................................ 259
Division 7—Additional provisions relating to modern enterprise awards 260
168A..... Modern enterprise awards............................................................... 260
168B..... The modern enterprise awards objective......................................... 261
168C..... Rules about making and revoking modern enterprise awards......... 261
168D..... Rules about changing coverage of modern enterprise awards......... 263
Division 8—Additional provisions relating to State reference public sector modern awards 264
168E...... State reference public sector modern awards................................... 264
168F...... The State reference public sector modern awards objective............. 264
168G..... Making State reference public sector modern awards on application 265
168H..... State reference public sector modern awards may contain State‑based differences 266
168J...... When State reference public sector modern awards come into operation 266
168K..... Rules about revoking State reference public sector modern awards 267
168L...... Rules about varying coverage of State reference public sector modern awards 268
Part 2‑4—Enterprise agreements 269
Division 1—Introduction 269
169........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 269
170........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 270
171........ Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 270
Division 2—Employers and employees may make enterprise agreements 272
172........ Making an enterprise agreement...................................................... 272
172A..... Special measures to achieve equality............................................... 274
Division 3—Bargaining and representation during bargaining 275
173........ Notice of employee representational rights...................................... 275
174........ Content and form of notice of employee representational rights...... 276
176........ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are not greenfields agreements 278
177........ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are greenfields agreements 280
178........ Appointment of bargaining representatives—other matters............. 280
178A..... Revocation of appointment of bargaining representatives etc.......... 281
178B..... Notified negotiation period for a proposed single‑enterprise agreement that is a greenfields agreement 282
Division 4—Approval of enterprise agreements 284
Subdivision A—Pre‑approval steps and applications for the FWC’s approval 284
179........ Disclosure by organisations that are bargaining representatives...... 284
179A..... Disclosure by employers................................................................. 285
180........ Employees must be given a copy of a proposed enterprise agreement etc. 286
181........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed enterprise agreement 288
182........ When an enterprise agreement is made............................................ 289
183........ Entitlement of an employee organisation to have an enterprise agreement cover it 290
184........ Multi‑enterprise agreement to be varied if not all employees approve the agreement 291
185........ Bargaining representative must apply for the FWC’s approval of an enterprise agreement 292
185A..... Material that must accompany an application under subsection 182(4) for approval of a greenfields agreement 293
Subdivision B—Approval of enterprise agreements by the FWC 293
186........ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—general requirements 293
187........ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—additional requirements 295
188........ When employees have genuinely agreed to an enterprise agreement 297
188A..... Disclosure documents..................................................................... 298
189........ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement that does not pass better off overall test—public interest test 298
190........ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement with undertakings....... 299
191........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 300
192........ When the FWC may refuse to approve an enterprise agreement..... 300
Subdivision C—Better off overall test 301
193........ Passing the better off overall test..................................................... 301
Subdivision D—Unlawful terms 303
194........ Meaning of unlawful term............................................................... 303
195........ Meaning of discriminatory term..................................................... 304
195A..... Meaning of objectionable emergency management term................ 306
Subdivision E—Approval requirements relating to particular kinds of employees 308
196........ Shiftworkers................................................................................... 308
197........ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement includes pieceworker term.... 309
198........ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement does not include a pieceworker term 309
199........ School‑based apprentices and school‑based trainees....................... 310
200........ Outworkers..................................................................................... 311
Subdivision F—Other matters 311
201........ Approval decision to note certain matters........................................ 311
Division 5—Mandatory terms of enterprise agreements 313
202........ Enterprise agreements to include a flexibility term etc..................... 313
203........ Requirements to be met by a flexibility term................................... 314
204........ Effect of arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term 315
205........ Enterprise agreements to include a consultation term etc................. 316
Division 6—Base rate of pay under enterprise agreements 318
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.......................................................................... 318
Division 7—Variation and termination of enterprise agreements 320
Subdivision A—Variation of enterprise agreements by employers and employees 320
207........ Variation of an enterprise agreement may be made by employers and employees 320
208........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed variation of an enterprise agreement 321
209........ When a variation of an enterprise agreement is made...................... 321
210........ Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of an enterprise agreement 322
211........ When the FWC must approve a variation of an enterprise agreement 322
212........ FWC may approve a variation of an enterprise agreement with undertakings 325
213........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 325
214........ When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of an enterprise agreement 326
215........ Approval decision to note undertakings.......................................... 326
216........ When variation comes into operation.............................................. 327
Subdivision B—Variations of enterprise agreements where there is ambiguity, uncertainty or discrimination 327
217........ Variation of an enterprise agreement to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty 327
217A..... FWC may deal with certain disputes about variations..................... 327
218........ Variation of an enterprise agreement on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission 328
Subdivision BA—Variation of enterprise agreements to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities 329
218A..... Variation of enterprise agreements to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities 329
Subdivision C—Termination of enterprise agreements by employers and employees 329
219........ Employers and employees may agree to terminate an enterprise agreement 329
220........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed termination of an enterprise agreement 330
221........ When termination of an enterprise agreement is agreed to............... 330
222........ Application for the FWC’s approval of a termination of an enterprise agreement 331
223........ When the FWC must approve a termination of an enterprise agreement.. 331
224........ When termination comes into operation.......................................... 332
Subdivision D—Termination of enterprise agreements after nominal expiry date 332
225........ Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date 332
226........ Terminating an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date.. 333
226A..... Guarantee of termination entitlements............................................. 334
227........ When termination comes into operation.......................................... 337
Division 8—FWC’s general role in facilitating bargaining 338
Subdivision A—Bargaining orders 338
228........ Bargaining representatives must meet the good faith bargaining requirements 338
229........ Applications for bargaining orders.................................................. 339
230........ When the FWC may make a bargaining order................................. 340
231........ What a bargaining order must specify............................................. 342
232........ Operation of a bargaining order...................................................... 343
233........ Contravening a bargaining order..................................................... 343
Subdivision B—Serious breach declarations 344
234........ Applications for serious breach declarations................................... 344
235........ When the FWC may make a serious breach declaration.................. 344
Subdivision C—Majority support determinations and scope orders 346
236........ Majority support determinations..................................................... 346
237........ When the FWC must make a majority support determination......... 346
238........ Scope orders................................................................................... 347
239........ Operation of a scope order.............................................................. 349
Subdivision D—FWC may deal with a bargaining dispute on request 350
240........ Application for the FWC to deal with a bargaining dispute............. 350
Division 9—Low‑paid bargaining 352
241........ Objects of this Division.................................................................. 352
242........ Low‑paid authorisations.................................................................. 352
243........ When the FWC must make a low‑paid authorisation...................... 353
244........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations—general................................ 355
245........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations—enterprise agreement etc. comes into operation 356
246........ FWC’s assistance for the low‑paid................................................. 356
Division 10—Single interest employer authorisations 358
Subdivision A—Declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement 358
247........ Ministerial declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement 358
Subdivision B—Single interest employer authorisations 359
248........ Single interest employer authorisations........................................... 359
249........ When the FWC must make a single interest employer authorisation 359
250........ What a single interest employer authorisation must specify............ 361
251........ Variation of single interest employer authorisations........................ 361
252........ Variation to extend period single interest employer authorisation is in operation 362
Division 11—Other matters 363
253........ Terms of an enterprise agreement that are of no effect.................... 363
254........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 363
254A..... Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions.................... 364
255........ Part does not empower the FWC to make certain orders................. 364
255A..... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................................. 365
256........ Prospective employers and employees............................................ 366
256A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described 366
257........ Enterprise agreements may incorporate material in force from time to time etc. 366
Part 2‑5—Workplace determinations 367
Division 1—Introduction 367
258........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 367
259........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 368
Division 2—Low‑paid workplace determinations 369
260........ Applications for low‑paid workplace determinations...................... 369
261........ When the FWC must make a consent low‑paid workplace determination 370
262........ When the FWC must make a special low‑paid workplace determination—general requirements 371
263........ When the FWC must make a special low‑paid workplace determination—additional requirements 372
264........ Terms etc. of a low‑paid workplace determination.......................... 373
265........ No other terms................................................................................ 373
Division 3—Industrial action related workplace determinations 374
266........ When the FWC must make an industrial action related workplace determination 374
267........ Terms etc. of an industrial action related workplace determination.. 375
268........ No other terms................................................................................ 376
Division 4—Bargaining related workplace determinations 377
269........ When the FWC must make a bargaining related workplace determination 377
270........ Terms etc. of a bargaining related workplace determination............ 378
271........ No other terms................................................................................ 380
271A..... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................................. 380
Division 5—Core terms, mandatory terms and agreed terms of workplace determinations etc. 381
272........ Core terms of workplace determinations......................................... 381
273........ Mandatory terms of workplace determinations............................... 382
274........ Agreed terms for workplace determinations.................................... 383
275........ Factors the FWC must take into account in deciding terms of a workplace determination 384
Division 6—Operation, coverage and interaction etc. of workplace determinations 385
276........ When a workplace determination operates etc................................. 385
277........ Employers, employees and employee organisations covered by a workplace determination 385
278........ Interaction of a workplace determination with enterprise agreements etc. 386
279........ Act applies to a workplace determination as if it were an enterprise agreement 387
Division 7—Other matters 389
280........ Contravening a workplace determination........................................ 389
281........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 389
281AA.. Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions.................... 389
281A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described 390
Part 2‑6—Minimum wages 391
Division 1—Introduction 391
282........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 391
283........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 392
Division 2—Overarching provisions 393
284........ The minimum wages objective........................................................ 393
Division 3—Annual wage reviews 395
Subdivision A—Main provisions 395
285........ Annual wage reviews to be conducted............................................ 395
286........ When annual wage review determinations varying modern awards come into operation 395
287........ When national minimum wage orders come into operation etc........ 396
Subdivision B—Provisions about conduct of annual wage reviews 398
288........ General............................................................................................ 398
289........ Everyone to have a reasonable opportunity to make and comment on submissions 398
290........ President may direct investigations and reports............................... 399
291........ Research must be published............................................................ 400
292........ Varied wage rates must be published.............................................. 400
Division 4—National minimum wage orders 401
293........ Contravening a national minimum wage order................................ 401
294........ Content of national minimum wage order—main provisions.......... 401
295........ Content of national minimum wage order—other matters............... 402
296........ Variation of national minimum wage order to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error 403
297........ When determinations varying national minimum wage orders come into operation 403
298........ Special rule about retrospective variations of national minimum wage orders 404
299........ When a national minimum wage order is in operation..................... 405
Part 2‑7—Equal remuneration 406
Division 1—Introduction 406
300........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 406
301........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 406
Division 2—Equal remuneration orders 407
302........ FWC may make an order requiring equal remuneration.................. 407
303........ Equal remuneration order may increase, but must not reduce, rates of remuneration 409
304........ Equal remuneration order may implement equal remuneration in stages.. 409
305........ Contravening an equal remuneration order...................................... 409
306........ Inconsistency with modern awards, enterprise agreements and orders of the FWC 409
Part 2‑8—Transfer of business 410
Division 1—Introduction 410
307........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 410
308........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 410
309........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 411
Division 2—Transfer of instruments 412
310........ Application of this Division............................................................ 412
311........ When does a transfer of business occur.......................................... 412
312........ Instruments that may transfer.......................................................... 414
313........ Transferring employees and new employer covered by transferable instrument 414
314........ New non‑transferring employees of new employer may be covered by transferable instrument 415
315........ Organisations covered by transferable instrument........................... 416
316........ Transferring employees who are high income employees............... 417
Division 3—Powers of the FWC 419
317........ FWC may make orders in relation to a transfer of business............ 419
318........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and transferring employees 419
319........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and non‑transferring employees 421
320........ Variation of transferable instruments.............................................. 423
Part 2‑9—Other terms and conditions of employment 425
Division 1—Introduction 425
321........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 425
322........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 425
Division 2—Payment of wages etc. 426
323........ Method and frequency of payment.................................................. 426
324........ Permitted deductions....................................................................... 426
325........ Unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amount....................... 427
326........ Certain terms have no effect............................................................ 428
327........ Things given or provided, and amounts required to be spent or paid, in contravention of this Division 429
Division 3—Guarantee of annual earnings 430
328........ Employer obligations in relation to guarantee of annual earnings.... 430
329........ High income employee.................................................................... 431
330........ Guarantee of annual earnings and annual rate of guarantee............. 432
331........ Guaranteed period........................................................................... 432
332........ Earnings.......................................................................................... 433
333........ High income threshold.................................................................... 434
333A..... Prospective employees.................................................................... 435
Division 4—Prohibiting pay secrecy 436
333B..... Employees not subject to pay secrecy............................................. 436
333C..... Pay secrecy terms to have no effect................................................. 436
333D..... Prohibition on pay secrecy terms.................................................... 437
Chapter 3—Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc. 438
Part 3‑1—General protections 438
Division 1—Introduction 438
334........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 438
335........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 438
336........ Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 439
Division 2—Application of this Part 440
337........ Application of this Part................................................................... 440
338........ Action to which this Part applies..................................................... 440
339........ Additional effect of this Part........................................................... 441
Division 3—Workplace rights 443
340........ Protection........................................................................................ 443
341........ Meaning of workplace right............................................................ 443
342........ Meaning of adverse action.............................................................. 445
343........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 448
344........ Undue influence or pressure........................................................... 448
345........ Misrepresentations.......................................................................... 449
Division 4—Industrial activities 450
346........ Protection........................................................................................ 450
347........ Meaning of engages in industrial activity....................................... 450
348........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 451
349........ Misrepresentations.......................................................................... 451
350........ Inducements—membership action.................................................. 452
Division 5—Other protections 453
351........ Discrimination................................................................................. 453
352........ Temporary absence—illness or injury............................................. 454
353........ Bargaining services fees.................................................................. 454
354........ Coverage by particular instruments................................................. 455
355........ Coercion—allocation of duties etc. to particular person.................. 455
356........ Objectionable terms......................................................................... 456
Division 6—Sham arrangements 457
357........ Misrepresenting employment as independent contracting arrangement 457
358........ Dismissing to engage as independent contractor............................. 457
359........ Misrepresentation to engage as independent contractor................... 457
Division 7—Ancillary rules 459
360........ Multiple reasons for action.............................................................. 459
361........ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise............ 459
362........ Advising, encouraging, inciting or coercing action......................... 459
363........ Actions of industrial associations.................................................... 459
364........ Unincorporated industrial associations............................................ 461
Division 8—Compliance 462
Subdivision A—Contraventions involving dismissal 462
365........ Application for the FWC to deal with a dismissal dispute............... 462
366........ Time for application........................................................................ 462
367........ Application fees.............................................................................. 462
368........ Dealing with a dismissal dispute (other than by arbitration)............ 463
369........ Dealing with a dismissal dispute by arbitration............................... 463
370........ Taking a dismissal dispute to court................................................. 465
Subdivision B—Other contraventions 465
372........ Application for the FWC to deal with a non‑dismissal dispute....... 465
373........ Application fees.............................................................................. 466
374........ Conferences.................................................................................... 466
375........ Advice on general protections court application.............................. 466
Subdivision C—Appeals and costs orders 467
375A..... Appeal rights................................................................................... 467
375B..... Costs orders against parties............................................................. 467
376........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 467
377........ Applications for costs orders.......................................................... 468
377A..... Schedule of costs............................................................................ 468
378........ Contravening costs orders............................................................... 469
Part 3‑2—Unfair dismissal 470
Division 1—Introduction 470
379........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 470
380........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 470
381........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 470
Division 2—Protection from unfair dismissal 472
382........ When a person is protected from unfair dismissal........................... 472
383........ Meaning of minimum employment period...................................... 472
384........ Period of employment..................................................................... 472
Division 3—What is an unfair dismissal 474
385........ What is an unfair dismissal............................................................. 474
386........ Meaning of dismissed..................................................................... 474
387........ Criteria for considering harshness etc............................................. 475
388........ The Small Business Fair Dismissal Code....................................... 476
389........ Meaning of genuine redundancy..................................................... 476
Division 4—Remedies for unfair dismissal 477
390........ When the FWC may order remedy for unfair dismissal.................. 477
391........ Remedy—reinstatement etc............................................................. 477
392........ Remedy—compensation................................................................. 479
393........ Monetary orders may be in instalments........................................... 480
Division 5—Procedural matters 481
394........ Application for unfair dismissal remedy......................................... 481
395........ Application fees.............................................................................. 481
396........ Initial matters to be considered before merits.................................. 482
397........ Matters involving contested facts.................................................... 482
398........ Conferences.................................................................................... 482
399........ Hearings.......................................................................................... 483
399A..... Dismissing applications.................................................................. 483
400........ Appeal rights................................................................................... 484
400A..... Costs orders against parties............................................................. 484
401........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 484
402........ Applications for costs orders.......................................................... 485
403........ Schedule of costs............................................................................ 485
404........ Security for costs............................................................................ 486
405........ Contravening orders under this Part................................................ 486
Part 3‑3—Industrial action 487
Division 1—Introduction 487
406........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 487
407........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 488
Division 2—Protected industrial action 489
Subdivision A—What is protected industrial action 489
408........ Protected industrial action............................................................... 489
409........ Employee claim action..................................................................... 489
410........ Employee response action............................................................... 491
411........ Employer response action............................................................... 491
412........ Pattern bargaining........................................................................... 492
Subdivision B—Common requirements for industrial action to be protected industrial action 493
413........ Common requirements that apply for industrial action to be protected industrial action 493
414........ Notice requirements for industrial action......................................... 495
Subdivision C—Significance of industrial action being protected industrial action 496
415........ Immunity provision......................................................................... 496
416........ Employer response action—employer may refuse to make payments to employees 496
416A..... Employer response action does not affect continuity of employment 496
Division 3—No industrial action before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc. 498
417........ Industrial action must not be organised or engaged in before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc. 498
Division 4—FWC orders stopping etc. industrial action 500
418........ FWC must order that industrial action by employees or employers stop etc. 500
419........ FWC must order that industrial action by non‑national system employees or non‑national system employers stop etc......................................................................................................... 501
420........ Interim orders etc............................................................................ 502
421........ Contravening an order etc............................................................... 502
Division 5—Injunction against industrial action if pattern bargaining is being engaged in 504
422........ Injunction against industrial action if a bargaining representative is engaging in pattern bargaining 504
Division 6—Suspension or termination of protected industrial action by the FWC 505
423........ FWC may suspend or terminate protected industrial action—significant economic harm etc. 505
424........ FWC must suspend or terminate protected industrial action—endangering life etc. 507
425........ FWC must suspend protected industrial action—cooling off.......... 508
426........ FWC must suspend protected industrial action—significant harm to a third party 509
427........ FWC must specify the period of suspension................................... 510
428........ Extension of a period of suspension............................................... 511
429........ Employee claim action without a further protected action ballot after a period of suspension etc. 511
430........ Notice of employee claim action engaged in after a period of suspension etc. 512
Division 7—Ministerial declarations 514
431........ Ministerial declaration terminating industrial action........................ 514
432........ Informing people of declaration...................................................... 514
433........ Ministerial directions to remove or reduce threat............................. 515
434........ Contravening a Ministerial direction............................................... 515
Division 8—Protected action ballots 516
Subdivision A—Introduction 516
435........ Guide to this Division..................................................................... 516
436........ Object of this Division.................................................................... 516
Subdivision B—Protected action ballot orders 517
437........ Application for a protected action ballot order................................. 517
438........ Restriction on when application may be made................................. 518
439........ Joint applications............................................................................. 518
440........ Notice of application....................................................................... 519
441........ Application to be determined within 2 days after it is made............ 519
442........ Dealing with multiple applications together..................................... 519
443........ When the FWC must make a protected action ballot order.............. 520
444........ FWC may decide on ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission and independent advisor 521
445........ Notice of protected action ballot order............................................. 522
446........ Protected action ballot order may require 2 or more protected action ballots to be held at the same time 522
447........ Variation of protected action ballot order........................................ 523
448........ Revocation of protected action ballot order..................................... 523
Subdivision C—Conduct of protected action ballot 523
449........ Protected action ballot to be conducted by Australian Electoral Commission or other specified ballot agent 523
450........ Directions for conduct of protected action ballot............................. 524
451........ Timetable for protected action ballot................................................ 525
452........ Compilation of roll of voters........................................................... 526
453........ Who is eligible to be included on the roll of voters......................... 526
454........ Variation of roll of voters................................................................ 527
455........ Protected action ballot papers.......................................................... 529
456........ Who may vote in protected action ballot.......................................... 529
457........ Results of protected action ballot..................................................... 529
458........ Report about conduct of protected action ballot............................... 529
Subdivision D—Effect of protected action ballot 531
459........ Circumstances in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot 531
460........ Immunity for persons who act in good faith on protected action ballot results 532
461........ Validity of protected action ballot etc. not affected by technical breaches 533
Subdivision E—Compliance 534
462........ Interferences etc. with protected action ballot.................................. 534
463........ Contravening a protected action ballot order etc.............................. 536
Subdivision F—Liability for costs of protected action ballot 536
464........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission 536
465........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by protected action ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission.................................................................................... 537
466........ Costs of legal challenges................................................................. 537
Subdivision G—Miscellaneous 538
467........ Information about employees on roll of voters not to be disclosed. 538
468........ Records........................................................................................... 539
469........ Regulations..................................................................................... 539
Division 9—Payments relating to periods of industrial action 540
Subdivision A—Protected industrial action 540
470........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action 540
471........ Payments relating to partial work bans............................................ 541
472........ Orders by the FWC relating to certain partial work bans................ 543
473........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action 544
Subdivision B—Industrial action that is not protected industrial action 545
474........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action 545
475........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action 546
Subdivision C—Miscellaneous 547
476........ Other responses to industrial action unaffected............................... 547
Division 10—Other matters 548
477........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 548
Part 3‑4—Right of entry 549
Division 1—Introduction 549
478........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 549
479........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 549
480........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 550
Division 2—Entry rights under this Act 551
Subdivision A—Entry to investigate suspected contravention 551
481........ Entry to investigate suspected contravention................................... 551
482........ Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................. 552
483........ Later access to record or document................................................. 553
483AA.. Application to the FWC for access to non‑member records............ 554
Subdivision AA—Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF award workers 555
483A..... Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF award workers 555
483B..... Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................. 557
483C..... Later access to record or document................................................. 558
483D..... Entry onto other premises to access records and documents........... 559
483E...... Later access to record or document—other premises...................... 560
Subdivision B—Entry to hold discussions 561
484........ Entry to hold discussions................................................................ 561
Subdivision C—Requirements for permit holders 562
486........ Permit holder must not contravene this Subdivision....................... 562
487........ Giving entry notice or exemption certificate.................................... 562
488........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................. 563
489........ Producing authority documents....................................................... 563
490........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 564
491........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................... 564
492........ Location of interviews and discussions........................................... 564
492A..... Route to location of interview and discussions............................... 565
493........ Residential premises........................................................................ 565
Division 3—State or Territory OHS rights 566
494........ Official must be permit holder to exercise State or Territory OHS right.. 566
495........ Giving notice of entry..................................................................... 567
496........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................. 568
497........ Producing entry permit.................................................................... 568
498........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 568
499........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................... 568
Division 4—Prohibitions 570
500........ Permit holder must not hinder or obstruct....................................... 570
501........ Person must not refuse or delay entry............................................. 570
502........ Person must not hinder or obstruct permit holder........................... 570
503........ Misrepresentations about things authorised by this Part................. 570
504........ Unauthorised use or disclosure of information or documents......... 571
Division 5—Powers of the FWC 573
Subdivision A—Dealing with disputes 573
505........ FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part........ 573
505A..... FWC may deal with a dispute about frequency of entry to hold discussions 575
506........ Contravening order made to deal with dispute................................ 576
Subdivision B—Taking action against permit holder 576
507........ FWC may take action against permit holder.................................... 576
Subdivision C—Restricting rights of organisations and officials where misuse of rights 577
508........ FWC may restrict rights if organisation or official has misused rights 577
509........ Contravening order made for misuse of rights................................ 578
Subdivision D—When the FWC must revoke or suspend entry permits 578
510........ When the FWC must revoke or suspend entry permits................... 578
Subdivision E—General rules for suspending entry permits 580
511........ General rules for suspending entry permits..................................... 580
Division 6—Entry permits, entry notices and certificates 581
Subdivision A—Entry permits 581
512........ FWC may issue entry permits......................................................... 581
513........ Considering application................................................................... 581
514........ When the FWC must not issue permit............................................. 582
515........ Conditions on entry permit.............................................................. 582
516........ Expiry of entry permit..................................................................... 583
517........ Return of entry permits to the FWC................................................ 584
Subdivision B—Entry notices 584
518........ Entry notice requirements................................................................ 584
Subdivision C—Exemption certificates 586
519........ Exemption certificates..................................................................... 586
Subdivision D—Affected member certificates 587
520........ Affected member certificates........................................................... 587
Subdivision E—Miscellaneous 587
521........ Regulations dealing with instruments under this Part...................... 587
Division 7—Accommodation and transport arrangements in remote areas 589
521A..... Meaning of accommodation arrangement...................................... 589
521B..... Meaning of transport arrangement................................................ 589
521C..... Accommodation arrangements for remote areas.............................. 590
521D..... Transport arrangements for remote areas........................................ 591
Part 3‑5—Stand down 593
Division 1—Introduction 593
522........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 593
523........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 593
Division 2—Circumstances allowing stand down 594
524........ Employer may stand down employees in certain circumstances...... 594
525........ Employee not stood down during a period of authorised leave or absence 595
Division 3—Dealing with disputes 596
526........ FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part........ 596
527........ Contravening an FWC order dealing with a dispute about the operation of this Part 596
Part 3‑6—Other rights and responsibilities 597
Division 1—Introduction 597
528........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 597
529........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 597
Division 2—Notification and consultation relating to certain dismissals 598
Subdivision A—Requirement to notify Centrelink 598
530........ Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed dismissals........ 598
Subdivision B—Failure to notify or consult registered employee associations 599
531........ FWC may make orders where failure to notify or consult registered employee associations about dismissals 599
532........ Orders that the FWC may make...................................................... 600
533........ Application for an FWC order........................................................ 601
Subdivision C—Limits on scope of this Division 601
534........ Limits on scope of this Division..................................................... 601
Division 3—Employer obligations in relation to employee records and pay slips 603
535........ Employer obligations in relation to employee records..................... 603
536........ Employer obligations in relation to pay slips................................... 603
Division 4—Employer obligations in relation to advertising rates of pay 605
536AA.. Employer obligations in relation to advertising rates of pay............ 605
Part 3‑7—Corrupting benefits 606
Division 1—Introduction 606
536A..... Guide to this Part............................................................................ 606
536B..... Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 606
536C..... Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws............................ 606
536CA.. Dishonesty...................................................................................... 607
Division 2—Giving, receiving or soliciting corrupting benefits 608
536D..... Giving, receiving or soliciting a corrupting benefit......................... 608
536E...... Meaning of registered organisations officer or employee................ 610
Division 3—Cash or in kind payments to employee organisations etc. 612
536F...... Giving a cash or in kind payment.................................................... 612
536G..... Receiving or soliciting a cash or in kind payment........................... 614
536H..... Implied freedom of political communication................................... 615