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 95
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.............................................. 121
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 paid 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 at certain times 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 178
101........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out paid personal/carer’s leave 178
Subdivision B—Unpaid carer’s leave 178
102........ Entitlement to unpaid carer’s leave.................................................. 178
103........ Taking unpaid carer’s leave............................................................. 179
Subdivision C—Compassionate leave 179
104........ Entitlement to compassionate leave................................................. 179
105........ Taking compassionate leave............................................................ 180
106........ Payment for compassionate leave (other than for casual employees) 181
Subdivision CA—Paid family and domestic violence leave 181
106A..... Entitlement to paid family and domestic violence leave................... 181
106B..... Taking paid family and domestic violence leave.............................. 182
106BA.. Payment for paid family and domestic violence leave..................... 183
106C..... Confidentiality................................................................................. 183
106D..... Operation of paid family and domestic violence leave and leave for victims of crime 184
106E...... Entitlement to days of leave............................................................. 184
Subdivision D—Notice and evidence requirements 184
107........ Notice and evidence requirements................................................... 184
Division 8—Community service leave 187
108........ Entitlement to be absent from employment for engaging in eligible community service activity 187
109........ Meaning of eligible community service activity............................... 187
110........ Notice and evidence requirements................................................... 189
111........ Payment to employees (other than casuals) on jury service............. 189
112........ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................................. 191
Division 9—Long service leave 193
113........ Entitlement to long service leave..................................................... 193
113A..... Enterprise agreements may contain terms discounting service under prior agreements etc. in certain circumstances........................................................................................................ 195
Division 10—Public holidays 197
114........ Entitlement to be absent from employment on public holiday......... 197
115........ Meaning of public holiday.............................................................. 198
116........ Payment for absence on public holiday........................................... 199
Division 11—Notice of termination and redundancy pay 200
Subdivision A—Notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice 200
117........ Requirement for notice of termination or payment in lieu................ 200
118........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for notice of termination by employees 201
Subdivision B—Redundancy pay 201
119........ Redundancy pay.............................................................................. 201
120........ Variation of redundancy pay for other employment or incapacity to pay 202
121........ Exclusions from obligation to pay redundancy pay......................... 203
122........ Transfer of employment situations that affect the obligation to pay redundancy pay 204
Subdivision C—Limits on scope of this Division 205
123........ Limits on scope of this Division..................................................... 205
Division 12—Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish statements 207
124........ Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Fair Work Information Statement 207
125........ Giving new employees the Fair Work Information Statement......... 207
125A..... Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Casual Employment Information Statement 208
125B..... Giving new employees the Casual Employment Information Statement.. 209
Division 13—Miscellaneous 210
126........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for school‑based apprentices and trainees to be paid loadings in lieu.................................................................................................. 210
127........ Regulations about what modern awards and enterprise agreements can do 210
128........ Relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements etc. permitted by this Part for award/agreement free employees................................................................................ 211
129........ Regulations about what can be agreed to etc. in relation to award/agreement free employees 211
130........ Restriction on taking or accruing leave or absence while receiving workers’ compensation 211
131........ Relationship with other Commonwealth laws................................. 212
Part 2‑3—Modern awards 213
Division 1—Introduction 213
132........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 213
133........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 214
Division 2—Overarching provisions 215
134........ The modern awards objective.......................................................... 215
135........ Special provisions relating to modern award minimum wages........ 216
Division 3—Terms of modern awards 218
Subdivision A—Preliminary 218
136........ What can be included in modern awards......................................... 218
137........ Terms that contravene section 136 have no effect........................... 219
138........ Achieving the modern awards objective.......................................... 219
Subdivision B—Terms that may be included in modern awards 219
139........ Terms that may be included in modern awards—general................ 219
140........ Outworker terms............................................................................. 220
141........ Industry‑specific redundancy schemes............................................ 221
142........ Incidental and machinery terms....................................................... 222
Subdivision C—Terms that must be included in modern awards 223
143........ Coverage terms of modern awards other than modern enterprise awards and State reference public sector modern awards........................................................................................................ 223
143A..... Coverage terms of modern enterprise awards................................. 225
143B..... Coverage terms of State reference public sector modern awards..... 227
144........ Flexibility terms.............................................................................. 228
145........ Effect of individual flexibility arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term 229
145A..... Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work................. 230
146........ Terms about settling disputes.......................................................... 230
147........ Ordinary hours of work.................................................................. 231
148........ Base and full rates of pay for pieceworkers.................................... 231
149........ Automatic variation of allowances.................................................. 231
149B..... Term requiring avoidance of liability to pay superannuation guarantee charge 232
149C..... Default fund terms.......................................................................... 232
149D..... Default fund term must provide for contributions to be made to certain funds 232
Subdivision D—Terms that must not be included in modern awards 234
150........ Objectionable terms......................................................................... 234
151........ Terms about payments and deductions for benefit of employer etc. 234
152........ Terms about right of entry............................................................... 235
153........ Terms that are discriminatory.......................................................... 235
154........ Terms that contain State‑based differences...................................... 236
155........ Terms dealing with long service leave............................................. 237
Division 4A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms of modern awards 238
Subdivision A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms 238
156A..... 4 yearly reviews of default fund terms............................................ 238
Subdivision B—The first stage of the 4 yearly review 239
156B..... Making the Default Superannuation List......................................... 239
156C..... Applications to list a standard MySuper product............................ 239
156D..... Submissions on applications to list a standard MySuper product... 240
156E...... Determining applications to list a standard MySuper product......... 241
156F...... First stage criteria............................................................................ 241
Subdivision C—Second stage of the 4 yearly review 242
156G..... Review of the default fund term of modern awards........................ 242
156H..... Default fund term must specify certain superannuation funds......... 243
156J...... Variation to comply with section 149D........................................... 244
156K..... Transitional authorisation for certain superannuation funds............ 244
Subdivision D—The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products 244
156L...... The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products.............. 244
156M.... FWC to invite applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule 245
156N..... Making applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule 245
156P...... FWC to determine applications....................................................... 246
156Q..... The first stage test........................................................................... 247
156R..... Submissions about the first stage test.............................................. 247
156S...... The second stage test....................................................................... 248
156T...... Submissions about the second stage test......................................... 248
Subdivision E—Publishing documents under this Division 249
156U..... Publishing documents under this Division...................................... 249
Division 5—Exercising modern award powers 250
Subdivision A—Exercise of powers if necessary to achieve modern awards objective 250
157........ FWC may vary etc. modern awards if necessary to achieve modern awards objective 250
158........ Applications to vary, revoke or make modern award...................... 251
Subdivision B—Other situations 253
159........ Variation of modern award to update or omit name of employer, organisation or outworker entity 253
159A..... Variation of default fund term of modern award............................. 254
160........ Variation of modern award to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error 255
161........ Variation of modern award on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission 256
Division 6—General provisions relating to modern award powers 257
162........ General............................................................................................ 257
163........ Special criteria relating to changing coverage of modern awards.... 257
164........ Special criteria for revoking modern awards................................... 258
165........ When variation determinations come into operation, other than determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages.............................................................................. 258
166........ When variation determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages come into operation 259
167........ Special rules relating to retrospective variations of awards............. 260
168........ Varied modern award must be published........................................ 261
Division 7—Additional provisions relating to modern enterprise awards 262
168A..... Modern enterprise awards............................................................... 262
168B..... The modern enterprise awards objective......................................... 263
168C..... Rules about making and revoking modern enterprise awards......... 263
168D..... Rules about changing coverage of modern enterprise awards......... 265
Division 8—Additional provisions relating to State reference public sector modern awards 266
168E...... State reference public sector modern awards................................... 266
168F...... The State reference public sector modern awards objective............. 266
168G..... Making State reference public sector modern awards on application 267
168H..... State reference public sector modern awards may contain State‑based differences 268
168J...... When State reference public sector modern awards come into operation 268
168K..... Rules about revoking State reference public sector modern awards 269
168L...... Rules about varying coverage of State reference public sector modern awards 270
Part 2‑4—Enterprise agreements 271
Division 1—Introduction 271
169........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 271
170........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 272
171........ Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 272
Division 2—Employers and employees may make enterprise agreements 274
172........ Making an enterprise agreement...................................................... 274
172A..... Special measures to achieve equality............................................... 276
Division 3—Bargaining and representation during bargaining 277
173........ Notice of employee representational rights...................................... 277
174........ Content and form of notice of employee representational rights...... 278
176........ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are not greenfields agreements 280
177........ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are greenfields agreements 282
178........ Appointment of bargaining representatives—other matters............. 282
178A..... Revocation of appointment of bargaining representatives etc.......... 283
178B..... Notified negotiation period for a proposed single‑enterprise agreement that is a greenfields agreement 284
Division 4—Approval of enterprise agreements 286
Subdivision A—Pre‑approval steps and applications for the FWC’s approval 286
179........ Disclosure by organisations that are bargaining representatives...... 286
179A..... Disclosure by employers................................................................. 287
180........ Employees must be given a copy of a proposed enterprise agreement etc. 288
181........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed enterprise agreement 290
182........ When an enterprise agreement is made............................................ 291
183........ Entitlement of an employee organisation to have an enterprise agreement cover it 292
184........ Multi‑enterprise agreement to be varied if not all employees approve the agreement 293
185........ Bargaining representative must apply for the FWC’s approval of an enterprise agreement 294
185A..... Material that must accompany an application under subsection 182(4) for approval of a greenfields agreement 295
Subdivision B—Approval of enterprise agreements by the FWC 295
186........ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—general requirements 295
187........ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—additional requirements 297
188........ When employees have genuinely agreed to an enterprise agreement 299
188A..... Disclosure documents..................................................................... 300
189........ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement that does not pass better off overall test—public interest test 300
190........ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement with undertakings....... 301
191........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 302
192........ When the FWC may refuse to approve an enterprise agreement..... 302
Subdivision C—Better off overall test 303
193........ Passing the better off overall test..................................................... 303
Subdivision D—Unlawful terms 305
194........ Meaning of unlawful term............................................................... 305
195........ Meaning of discriminatory term..................................................... 306
195A..... Meaning of objectionable emergency management term................ 308
Subdivision E—Approval requirements relating to particular kinds of employees 310
196........ Shiftworkers................................................................................... 310
197........ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement includes pieceworker term.... 311
198........ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement does not include a pieceworker term 311
199........ School‑based apprentices and school‑based trainees....................... 312
200........ Outworkers..................................................................................... 313
Subdivision F—Other matters 313
201........ Approval decision to note certain matters........................................ 313
Division 5—Mandatory terms of enterprise agreements 315
202........ Enterprise agreements to include a flexibility term etc..................... 315
203........ Requirements to be met by a flexibility term................................... 316
204........ Effect of arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term 317
205........ Enterprise agreements to include a consultation term etc................. 318
Division 6—Base rate of pay under enterprise agreements 320
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.......................................................................... 320
Division 7—Variation and termination of enterprise agreements 322
Subdivision A—Variation of enterprise agreements by employers and employees 322
207........ Variation of an enterprise agreement may be made by employers and employees 322
208........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed variation of an enterprise agreement 323
209........ When a variation of an enterprise agreement is made...................... 323
210........ Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of an enterprise agreement 324
211........ When the FWC must approve a variation of an enterprise agreement 324
212........ FWC may approve a variation of an enterprise agreement with undertakings 327
213........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 327
214........ When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of an enterprise agreement 328
215........ Approval decision to note undertakings.......................................... 328
216........ When variation comes into operation.............................................. 329
Subdivision B—Variations of enterprise agreements where there is ambiguity, uncertainty or discrimination 329
217........ Variation of an enterprise agreement to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty 329
217A..... FWC may deal with certain disputes about variations..................... 329
218........ Variation of an enterprise agreement on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission 330
Subdivision BA—Variation of enterprise agreements to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities 331
218A..... Variation of enterprise agreements to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities 331
Subdivision C—Termination of enterprise agreements by employers and employees 331
219........ Employers and employees may agree to terminate an enterprise agreement 331
220........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed termination of an enterprise agreement 332
221........ When termination of an enterprise agreement is agreed to............... 332
222........ Application for the FWC’s approval of a termination of an enterprise agreement 333
223........ When the FWC must approve a termination of an enterprise agreement.. 333
224........ When termination comes into operation.......................................... 334
Subdivision D—Termination of enterprise agreements after nominal expiry date 334
225........ Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date 334
226........ Terminating an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date.. 335
226A..... Guarantee of termination entitlements............................................. 336
227........ When termination comes into operation.......................................... 339
Division 8—FWC’s general role in facilitating bargaining 340
Subdivision A—Bargaining orders 340
228........ Bargaining representatives must meet the good faith bargaining requirements 340
229........ Applications for bargaining orders.................................................. 341
230........ When the FWC may make a bargaining order................................. 342
231........ What a bargaining order must specify............................................. 344
232........ Operation of a bargaining order...................................................... 345
233........ Contravening a bargaining order..................................................... 345
Subdivision B—Serious breach declarations 346
234........ Applications for serious breach declarations................................... 346
235........ When the FWC may make a serious breach declaration.................. 346
Subdivision C—Majority support determinations and scope orders 348
236........ Majority support determinations..................................................... 348
237........ When the FWC must make a majority support determination......... 348
238........ Scope orders................................................................................... 349
239........ Operation of a scope order.............................................................. 351
Subdivision D—FWC may deal with a bargaining dispute on request 352
240........ Application for the FWC to deal with a bargaining dispute............. 352
Division 9—Low‑paid bargaining 354
241........ Objects of this Division.................................................................. 354
242........ Low‑paid authorisations.................................................................. 354
243........ When the FWC must make a low‑paid authorisation...................... 355
244........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations—general................................ 357
245........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations—enterprise agreement etc. comes into operation 358
246........ FWC’s assistance for the low‑paid................................................. 358
Division 10—Single interest employer authorisations 360
Subdivision A—Declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement 360
247........ Ministerial declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement 360
Subdivision B—Single interest employer authorisations 361
248........ Single interest employer authorisations........................................... 361
249........ When the FWC must make a single interest employer authorisation 361
250........ What a single interest employer authorisation must specify............ 363
251........ Variation of single interest employer authorisations........................ 363
252........ Variation to extend period single interest employer authorisation is in operation 364
Division 11—Other matters 365
253........ Terms of an enterprise agreement that are of no effect.................... 365
254........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 365
254A..... Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions.................... 366
255........ Part does not empower the FWC to make certain orders................. 366
255A..... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................................. 367
256........ Prospective employers and employees............................................ 368
256A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described 368
257........ Enterprise agreements may incorporate material in force from time to time etc. 368
Part 2‑5—Workplace determinations 369
Division 1—Introduction 369
258........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 369
259........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 370
Division 2—Low‑paid workplace determinations 371
260........ Applications for low‑paid workplace determinations...................... 371
261........ When the FWC must make a consent low‑paid workplace determination 372
262........ When the FWC must make a special low‑paid workplace determination—general requirements 373
263........ When the FWC must make a special low‑paid workplace determination—additional requirements 374
264........ Terms etc. of a low‑paid workplace determination.......................... 375
265........ No other terms................................................................................ 375
Division 3—Industrial action related workplace determinations 376
266........ When the FWC must make an industrial action related workplace determination 376
267........ Terms etc. of an industrial action related workplace determination.. 377
268........ No other terms................................................................................ 378
Division 4—Bargaining related workplace determinations 379
269........ When the FWC must make a bargaining related workplace determination 379
270........ Terms etc. of a bargaining related workplace determination............ 380
271........ No other terms................................................................................ 382
271A..... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................................. 382
Division 5—Core terms, mandatory terms and agreed terms of workplace determinations etc. 383
272........ Core terms of workplace determinations......................................... 383
273........ Mandatory terms of workplace determinations............................... 384
274........ Agreed terms for workplace determinations.................................... 385
275........ Factors the FWC must take into account in deciding terms of a workplace determination 386
Division 6—Operation, coverage and interaction etc. of workplace determinations 387
276........ When a workplace determination operates etc................................. 387
277........ Employers, employees and employee organisations covered by a workplace determination 387
278........ Interaction of a workplace determination with enterprise agreements etc. 388
279........ Act applies to a workplace determination as if it were an enterprise agreement 389
Division 7—Other matters 391
280........ Contravening a workplace determination........................................ 391
281........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 391
281AA.. Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions.................... 391
281A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described 392
Part 2‑6—Minimum wages 393
Division 1—Introduction 393
282........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 393
283........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 394
Division 2—Overarching provisions 395
284........ The minimum wages objective........................................................ 395
Division 3—Annual wage reviews 397
Subdivision A—Main provisions 397
285........ Annual wage reviews to be conducted............................................ 397
286........ When annual wage review determinations varying modern awards come into operation 397
287........ When national minimum wage orders come into operation etc........ 398
Subdivision B—Provisions about conduct of annual wage reviews 400
288........ General............................................................................................ 400
289........ Everyone to have a reasonable opportunity to make and comment on submissions 400
290........ President may direct investigations and reports............................... 401
291........ Research must be published............................................................ 402
292........ Varied wage rates must be published.............................................. 402
Division 4—National minimum wage orders 403
293........ Contravening a national minimum wage order................................ 403
294........ Content of national minimum wage order—main provisions.......... 403
295........ Content of national minimum wage order—other matters............... 404
296........ Variation of national minimum wage order to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error 405
297........ When determinations varying national minimum wage orders come into operation 405
298........ Special rule about retrospective variations of national minimum wage orders 406
299........ When a national minimum wage order is in operation..................... 407
Part 2‑7—Equal remuneration 408
Division 1—Introduction 408
300........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 408
301........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 408
Division 2—Equal remuneration orders 409
302........ FWC may make an order requiring equal remuneration.................. 409
303........ Equal remuneration order may increase, but must not reduce, rates of remuneration 411
304........ Equal remuneration order may implement equal remuneration in stages.. 411
305........ Contravening an equal remuneration order...................................... 411
306........ Inconsistency with modern awards, enterprise agreements and orders of the FWC 411
Part 2‑8—Transfer of business 412
Division 1—Introduction 412
307........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 412
308........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 412
309........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 413
Division 2—Transfer of instruments 414
310........ Application of this Division............................................................ 414
311........ When does a transfer of business occur.......................................... 414
312........ Instruments that may transfer.......................................................... 416
313........ Transferring employees and new employer covered by transferable instrument 416
314........ New non‑transferring employees of new employer may be covered by transferable instrument 417
315........ Organisations covered by transferable instrument........................... 418
316........ Transferring employees who are high income employees............... 419
Division 3—Powers of the FWC 421
317........ FWC may make orders in relation to a transfer of business............ 421
318........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and transferring employees 421
319........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and non‑transferring employees 423
320........ Variation of transferable instruments.............................................. 425
Part 2‑9—Other terms and conditions of employment 427
Division 1—Introduction 427
321........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 427
322........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 427
Division 2—Payment of wages etc. 428
323........ Method and frequency of payment.................................................. 428
324........ Permitted deductions....................................................................... 429
325........ Unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amount....................... 429
326........ Certain terms have no effect............................................................ 430
327........ Things given or provided, and amounts required to be spent or paid, in contravention of this Division 431
Division 3—Guarantee of annual earnings 432
328........ Employer obligations in relation to guarantee of annual earnings.... 432
329........ High income employee.................................................................... 433
330........ Guarantee of annual earnings and annual rate of guarantee............. 434
331........ Guaranteed period........................................................................... 435
332........ Earnings.......................................................................................... 435
333........ High income threshold.................................................................... 436
333A..... Prospective employees.................................................................... 437
Division 4—Prohibiting pay secrecy 438
333B..... Employees not subject to pay secrecy............................................. 438
333C..... Pay secrecy terms to have no effect................................................. 439
333D..... Prohibition on pay secrecy terms.................................................... 439
Chapter 3—Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc. 440
Part 3‑1—General protections 440
Division 1—Introduction 440
334........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 440
335........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 440
336........ Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 441
Division 2—Application of this Part 442
337........ Application of this Part................................................................... 442
338........ Action to which this Part applies..................................................... 442
339........ Additional effect of this Part........................................................... 443
Division 3—Workplace rights 445
340........ Protection........................................................................................ 445
341........ Meaning of workplace right............................................................ 445
342........ Meaning of adverse action.............................................................. 447
343........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 450
344........ Undue influence or pressure........................................................... 450
345........ Misrepresentations.......................................................................... 451
Division 4—Industrial activities 452
346........ Protection........................................................................................ 452
347........ Meaning of engages in industrial activity....................................... 452
348........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 453
349........ Misrepresentations.......................................................................... 453
350........ Inducements—membership action.................................................. 454
Division 5—Other protections 455
351........ Discrimination................................................................................. 455
352........ Temporary absence—illness or injury............................................. 456
353........ Bargaining services fees.................................................................. 456
354........ Coverage by particular instruments................................................. 457
355........ Coercion—allocation of duties etc. to particular person.................. 457
356........ Objectionable terms......................................................................... 458
Division 6—Sham arrangements 459
357........ Misrepresenting employment as independent contracting arrangement 459
358........ Dismissing to engage as independent contractor............................. 459
359........ Misrepresentation to engage as independent contractor................... 459
Division 7—Ancillary rules 461
360........ Multiple reasons for action.............................................................. 461
361........ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise............ 461
362........ Advising, encouraging, inciting or coercing action......................... 461
363........ Actions of industrial associations.................................................... 461
364........ Unincorporated industrial associations............................................ 463
Division 8—Compliance 464
Subdivision A—Contraventions involving dismissal 464
365........ Application for the FWC to deal with a dismissal dispute............... 464
366........ Time for application........................................................................ 464
367........ Application fees.............................................................................. 464
368........ Dealing with a dismissal dispute (other than by arbitration)............ 465
369........ Dealing with a dismissal dispute by arbitration............................... 466
370........ Taking a dismissal dispute to court................................................. 467
Subdivision B—Other contraventions 467
372........ Application for the FWC to deal with a non‑dismissal dispute....... 467
373........ Application fees.............................................................................. 468
374........ Conferences.................................................................................... 468
375........ Advice on general protections court application.............................. 468
Subdivision C—Appeals and costs orders 469
375A..... Appeal rights................................................................................... 469
375B..... Costs orders against parties............................................................. 469
376........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 469
377........ Applications for costs orders.......................................................... 470
377A..... Schedule of costs............................................................................ 470
378........ Contravening costs orders............................................................... 471
Part 3‑2—Unfair dismissal 472
Division 1—Introduction 472
379........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 472
380........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 472
381........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 472
Division 2—Protection from unfair dismissal 474
382........ When a person is protected from unfair dismissal........................... 474
383........ Meaning of minimum employment period...................................... 474
384........ Period of employment..................................................................... 474
Division 3—What is an unfair dismissal 476
385........ What is an unfair dismissal............................................................. 476
386........ Meaning of dismissed..................................................................... 476
387........ Criteria for considering harshness etc............................................. 477
388........ The Small Business Fair Dismissal Code....................................... 478
389........ Meaning of genuine redundancy..................................................... 478
Division 4—Remedies for unfair dismissal 479
390........ When the FWC may order remedy for unfair dismissal.................. 479
391........ Remedy—reinstatement etc............................................................. 479
392........ Remedy—compensation................................................................. 481
393........ Monetary orders may be in instalments........................................... 482
Division 5—Procedural matters 483
394........ Application for unfair dismissal remedy......................................... 483
395........ Application fees.............................................................................. 483
396........ Initial matters to be considered before merits.................................. 484
397........ Matters involving contested facts.................................................... 484
398........ Conferences.................................................................................... 484
399........ Hearings.......................................................................................... 485
399A..... Dismissing applications.................................................................. 485
400........ Appeal rights................................................................................... 486
400A..... Costs orders against parties............................................................. 486
401........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 486
402........ Applications for costs orders.......................................................... 487
403........ Schedule of costs............................................................................ 487
404........ Security for costs............................................................................ 488
405........ Contravening orders under this Part................................................ 488
Part 3‑3—Industrial action 489
Division 1—Introduction 489
406........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 489
407........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 490
Division 2—Protected industrial action 491
Subdivision A—What is protected industrial action 491
408........ Protected industrial action............................................................... 491
409........ Employee claim action..................................................................... 491
410........ Employee response action............................................................... 493
411........ Employer response action............................................................... 493
412........ Pattern bargaining........................................................................... 494
Subdivision B—Common requirements for industrial action to be protected industrial action 495
413........ Common requirements that apply for industrial action to be protected industrial action 495
414........ Notice requirements for industrial action......................................... 497
Subdivision C—Significance of industrial action being protected industrial action 498
415........ Immunity provision......................................................................... 498
416........ Employer response action—employer may refuse to make payments to employees 498
416A..... Employer response action does not affect continuity of employment 498
Division 3—No industrial action before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc. 500
417........ Industrial action must not be organised or engaged in before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc. 500
Division 4—FWC orders stopping etc. industrial action 502
418........ FWC must order that industrial action by employees or employers stop etc. 502
419........ FWC must order that industrial action by non‑national system employees or non‑national system employers stop etc......................................................................................................... 503
420........ Interim orders etc............................................................................ 504
421........ Contravening an order etc............................................................... 504
Division 5—Injunction against industrial action if pattern bargaining is being engaged in 506
422........ Injunction against industrial action if a bargaining representative is engaging in pattern bargaining 506
Division 6—Suspension or termination of protected industrial action by the FWC 507
423........ FWC may suspend or terminate protected industrial action—significant economic harm etc. 507
424........ FWC must suspend or terminate protected industrial action—endangering life etc. 509
425........ FWC must suspend protected industrial action—cooling off.......... 510
426........ FWC must suspend protected industrial action—significant harm to a third party 511
427........ FWC must specify the period of suspension................................... 512
428........ Extension of a period of suspension............................................... 513
429........ Employee claim action without a further protected action ballot after a period of suspension etc. 513
430........ Notice of employee claim action engaged in after a period of suspension etc. 514
Division 7—Ministerial declarations 516
431........ Ministerial declaration terminating industrial action........................ 516
432........ Informing people of declaration...................................................... 516
433........ Ministerial directions to remove or reduce threat............................. 517
434........ Contravening a Ministerial direction............................................... 517
Division 8—Protected action ballots 518
Subdivision A—Introduction 518
435........ Guide to this Division..................................................................... 518
436........ Object of this Division.................................................................... 518
Subdivision B—Protected action ballot orders 519
437........ Application for a protected action ballot order................................. 519
438........ Restriction on when application may be made................................. 520
439........ Joint applications............................................................................. 520
440........ Notice of application....................................................................... 521
441........ Application to be determined within 2 days after it is made............ 521
442........ Dealing with multiple applications together..................................... 521
443........ When the FWC must make a protected action ballot order.............. 522
444........ FWC may decide on ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission and independent advisor 523
445........ Notice of protected action ballot order............................................. 524
446........ Protected action ballot order may require 2 or more protected action ballots to be held at the same time 524
447........ Variation of protected action ballot order........................................ 525
448........ Revocation of protected action ballot order..................................... 525
Subdivision C—Conduct of protected action ballot 525
449........ Protected action ballot to be conducted by Australian Electoral Commission or other specified ballot agent 525
450........ Directions for conduct of protected action ballot............................. 526
451........ Timetable for protected action ballot................................................ 527
452........ Compilation of roll of voters........................................................... 528
453........ Who is eligible to be included on the roll of voters......................... 528
454........ Variation of roll of voters................................................................ 529
455........ Protected action ballot papers.......................................................... 531
456........ Who may vote in protected action ballot.......................................... 531
457........ Results of protected action ballot..................................................... 531
458........ Report about conduct of protected action ballot............................... 531
Subdivision D—Effect of protected action ballot 533
459........ Circumstances in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot 533
460........ Immunity for persons who act in good faith on protected action ballot results 534
461........ Validity of protected action ballot etc. not affected by technical breaches 535
Subdivision E—Compliance 536
462........ Interferences etc. with protected action ballot.................................. 536
463........ Contravening a protected action ballot order etc.............................. 538
Subdivision F—Liability for costs of protected action ballot 538
464........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission 538
465........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by protected action ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission.................................................................................... 539
466........ Costs of legal challenges................................................................. 539
Subdivision G—Miscellaneous 540
467........ Information about employees on roll of voters not to be disclosed. 540
468........ Records........................................................................................... 541
469........ Regulations..................................................................................... 541
Division 9—Payments relating to periods of industrial action 542
Subdivision A—Protected industrial action 542
470........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action 542
471........ Payments relating to partial work bans............................................ 543
472........ Orders by the FWC relating to certain partial work bans................ 545
473........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action 546
Subdivision B—Industrial action that is not protected industrial action 547
474........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action 547
475........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action 548
Subdivision C—Miscellaneous 549
476........ Other responses to industrial action unaffected............................... 549
Division 10—Other matters 550
477........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 550
Part 3‑4—Right of entry 551
Division 1—Introduction 551
478........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 551
479........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 551
480........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 552
Division 2—Entry rights under this Act 553
Subdivision A—Entry to investigate suspected contravention 553
481........ Entry to investigate suspected contravention................................... 553
482........ Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................. 554
483........ Later access to record or document................................................. 555
483AA.. Application to the FWC for access to non‑member records............ 556
Subdivision AA—Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF award workers 557
483A..... Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF award workers 557
483B..... Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................. 559
483C..... Later access to record or document................................................. 560
483D..... Entry onto other premises to access records and documents........... 561
483E...... Later access to record or document—other premises...................... 562
Subdivision B—Entry to hold discussions 563
484........ Entry to hold discussions................................................................ 563
Subdivision C—Requirements for permit holders 564
486........ Permit holder must not contravene this Subdivision....................... 564
487........ Giving entry notice or exemption certificate.................................... 564
488........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................. 565
489........ Producing authority documents....................................................... 565
490........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 566
491........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................... 566
492........ Location of interviews and discussions........................................... 566
492A..... Route to location of interview and discussions............................... 567
493........ Residential premises........................................................................ 567
Division 3—State or Territory OHS rights 568
494........ Official must be permit holder to exercise State or Territory OHS right.. 568
495........ Giving notice of entry..................................................................... 569
496........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................. 570
497........ Producing entry permit.................................................................... 570
498........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 570
499........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................... 570
Division 4—Prohibitions 572
500........ Permit holder must not hinder or obstruct....................................... 572
501........ Person must not refuse or delay entry............................................. 572
502........ Person must not hinder or obstruct permit holder........................... 572
503........ Misrepresentations about things authorised by this Part................. 573
504........ Unauthorised use or disclosure of information or documents......... 573
Division 5—Powers of the FWC 575
Subdivision A—Dealing with disputes 575
505........ FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part........ 575
505A..... FWC may deal with a dispute about frequency of entry to hold discussions 577
506........ Contravening order made to deal with dispute................................ 578
Subdivision B—Taking action against permit holder 578
507........ FWC may take action against permit holder.................................... 578
Subdivision C—Restricting rights of organisations and officials where misuse of rights 579
508........ FWC may restrict rights if organisation or official has misused rights 579
509........ Contravening order made for misuse of rights................................ 580
Subdivision D—When the FWC must revoke or suspend entry permits 580
510........ When the FWC must revoke or suspend entry permits................... 580
Subdivision E—General rules for suspending entry permits 582
511........ General rules for suspending entry permits..................................... 582
Division 6—Entry permits, entry notices and certificates 583
Subdivision A—Entry permits 583
512........ FWC may issue entry permits......................................................... 583
513........ Considering application................................................................... 583
514........ When the FWC must not issue permit............................................. 584
515........ Conditions on entry permit.............................................................. 584
516........ Expiry of entry permit..................................................................... 585
517........ Return of entry permits to the FWC................................................ 586
Subdivision B—Entry notices 586
518........ Entry notice requirements................................................................ 586
Subdivision C—Exemption certificates 588
519........ Exemption certificates..................................................................... 588
Subdivision D—Affected member certificates 589
520........ Affected member certificates........................................................... 589
Subdivision E—Miscellaneous 589
521........ Regulations dealing with instruments under this Part...................... 589
Division 7—Accommodation and transport arrangements in remote areas 591
521A..... Meaning of accommodation arrangement...................................... 591
521B..... Meaning of transport arrangement................................................ 591
521C..... Accommodation arrangements for remote areas.............................. 592
521D..... Transport arrangements for remote areas........................................ 593
Part 3‑5—Stand down 595
Division 1—Introduction 595
522........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 595
523........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 595
Division 2—Circumstances allowing stand down 596
524........ Employer may stand down employees in certain circumstances...... 596
525........ Employee not stood down during a period of authorised leave or absence 597
Division 3—Dealing with disputes 598
526........ FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part........ 598
527........ Contravening an FWC order dealing with a dispute about the operation of this Part 598
Part 3‑6—Other rights and responsibilities 599
Division 1—Introduction 599
528........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 599
529........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 599
Division 2—Notification and consultation relating to certain dismissals 601
Subdivision A—Requirement to notify Centrelink 601
530........ Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed dismissals........ 601
Subdivision B—Failure to notify or consult registered employee associations 602
531........ FWC may make orders where failure to notify or consult registered employee associations about dismissals 602
532........ Orders that the FWC may make...................................................... 603
533........ Application for an FWC order........................................................ 604
Subdivision C—Limits on scope of this Division 604
534........ Limits on scope of this Division..................................................... 604
Division 3—Employer obligations in relation to employee records and pay slips 606
535........ Employer obligations in relation to employee records..................... 606
536........ Employer obligations in relation to pay slips................................... 606
Division 4—Employer obligations in relation to advertising rates of pay 608
536AA.. Employer obligations in relation to advertising rates of pay............ 608
Part 3‑7—Corrupting benefits 609
Division 1—Introduction 609
536A..... Guide to this Part............................................................................ 609
536B..... Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 609
536C..... Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws............................ 609
536CA.. Dishonesty...................................................................................... 610
Division 2—Giving, receiving or soliciting corrupting benefits 611
536D..... Giving, receiving or soliciting a corrupting benefit......................... 611
536E...... Meaning of registered organisations officer or employee................ 613
Division 3—Cash or in kind payments to employee organisations etc. 615
536F...... Giving a cash or in kind payment.................................................... 615
536G..... Receiving or soliciting a cash or in kind payment........................... 617
536H..... Implied freedom of political communication................................... 618