Contents
Chapter 4—Compliance and enforcement 1
Part 4‑1—Civil remedies 1
Division 1—Introduction 1
537........................ Guide to this Part................................................................ 1
538........................ Meanings of employee and employer.................................. 2
Division 2—Orders 3
Subdivision A—Applications for orders 3
539........................ Applications for orders in relation to contraventions of civil remedy provisions 3
540........................ Limitations on who may apply for orders etc.................... 21
541........................ Applications for orders in relation to safety net contractual entitlements 23
542........................ Entitlements under contracts............................................. 24
543........................ Applications for orders in relation to statutory entitlements derived from contracts 24
544........................ Time limit on applications................................................. 24
Subdivision B—Orders 25
545........................ Orders that can be made by particular courts.................... 25
545A..................... Orders relating to casual loading amounts........................ 26
546........................ Pecuniary penalty orders................................................... 28
547........................ Interest up to judgment..................................................... 29
Division 3—Small claims procedure 30
548........................ Plaintiffs may choose small claims procedure................... 30
Division 4—General provisions relating to civil remedies 33
549........................ Contravening a civil remedy provision is not an offence.. 33
550........................ Involvement in contravention treated in same way as actual contravention 33
551........................ Civil evidence and procedure rules for proceedings relating to civil remedy provisions 33
552........................ Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings.................... 34
553........................ Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings................. 34
554........................ Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings.................... 34
555........................ Evidence given in proceedings for pecuniary penalty not admissible in criminal proceedings 34
556........................ Civil double jeopardy........................................................ 35
557........................ Course of conduct............................................................. 35
557A..................... Serious contravention of civil remedy provisions............. 37
557B...................... Liability of bodies corporate for serious contravention..... 39
557C...................... Presumption where records not provided......................... 39
558........................ Regulations dealing with infringement notices.................. 40
Division 4A—Responsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies for certain contraventions 42
558A..................... Meaning of franchisee entity and responsible franchisor entity 42
558B...................... Responsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies for certain contraventions 42
558C...................... Right of responsible franchisor entity or holding company to recover 46
Division 5—Unclaimed money 48
559........................ Unclaimed money............................................................. 48
Part 4‑2—Jurisdiction and powers of courts 50
Division 1—Introduction 50
560........................ Guide to this Part.............................................................. 50
561........................ Meanings of employee and employer................................ 50
Division 2—Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Court 51
562........................ Conferring jurisdiction on the Federal Court.................... 51
563........................ Exercising jurisdiction in the Fair Work Division of the Federal Court 51
564........................ No limitation on Federal Court’s powers.......................... 52
565........................ Appeals from eligible State or Territory courts................. 52
Division 3—Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 54
566........................ Conferring jurisdiction on the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 54
567........................ Exercising jurisdiction in the Fair Work Division of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)...................................................................... 54
568........................ No limitation on powers of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 54
Division 4—Miscellaneous 56
569........................ Minister’s entitlement to intervene.................................... 56
569A..................... State or Territory Minister’s entitlement to intervene........ 56
570........................ Costs only if proceedings instituted vexatiously etc.......... 57
571........................ No imprisonment for failure to pay pecuniary penalty...... 57
572........................ Regulations dealing with matters relating to court proceedings 57
Chapter 5—Administration 58
Part 5‑1—The Fair Work Commission 58
Division 1—Introduction 58
573........................ Guide to this Part.............................................................. 58
574........................ Meanings of employee and employer................................ 59
Division 2—Establishment and functions of the Fair Work Commission 60
Subdivision A—Establishment and functions of the Fair Work Commission 60
575........................ Establishment of the Fair Work Commission................... 60
576........................ Functions of the FWC...................................................... 60
577........................ Performance of functions etc. by the FWC....................... 62
578........................ Matters the FWC must take into account in performing functions etc. 62
579........................ FWC has privileges and immunities of the Crown........... 63
580........................ Protection of FWC Members............................................ 63
Subdivision B—Functions and powers of the President 63
581........................ Functions of the President................................................ 63
581A..................... Dealing with a complaint about an FWC Member............ 63
581B...................... Code of Conduct............................................................... 65
582........................ Directions by the President............................................... 66
583........................ President not subject to direction...................................... 67
584........................ Delegation of functions and powers of the President........ 67
Subdivision C—Protection of persons involved in handling etc. complaints about FWC Members 67
584B...................... Protection of persons involved in handling etc. complaints about FWC Members 67
Division 3—Conduct of matters before the FWC 69
Subdivision A—Applications to the FWC 69
585........................ Applications in accordance with procedural rules............. 69
586........................ Correcting and amending applications and documents etc. 69
587........................ Dismissing applications.................................................... 69
588........................ Discontinuing applications................................................ 70
Subdivision B—Conduct of matters before the FWC 70
589........................ Procedural and interim decisions...................................... 70
590........................ Powers of the FWC to inform itself.................................. 70
591........................ FWC not bound by rules of evidence and procedure........ 71
592........................ Conferences...................................................................... 71
593........................ Hearings........................................................................... 72
594........................ Confidential evidence........................................................ 73
595........................ FWC’s power to deal with disputes.................................. 73
Subdivision C—Representation by lawyers and paid agents and Minister’s entitlement to make submissions 74
596........................ Representation by lawyers and paid agents....................... 74
597........................ Minister’s entitlement to make submissions..................... 75
597A..................... State or Territory Minister’s entitlement to make submissions 75
Subdivision D—Decisions of the FWC 76
598........................ Decisions of the FWC...................................................... 76
599........................ FWC not required to decide an application in terms applied for 76
600........................ Determining matters in the absence of a person................ 77
601........................ Writing and publication requirements for the FWC’s decisions 77
602........................ Correcting obvious errors etc. in relation to the FWC’s decisions 78
602A..................... Validation of approval of enterprise agreement................. 78
602B...................... Validation of approval of variation of enterprise agreement 79
603........................ Varying and revoking the FWC’s decisions..................... 80
Subdivision E—Appeals, reviews and referring questions of law 81
604........................ Appeal of decisions.......................................................... 81
605........................ Minister’s entitlement to apply for review of a decision... 81
606........................ Staying decisions that are appealed or reviewed............... 82
607........................ Process for appealing or reviewing decisions................... 83
608........................ Referring questions of law to the Federal Court............... 83
Subdivision F—Miscellaneous 84
609........................ Procedural rules................................................................ 84
610........................ Regulations dealing with any FWC matters...................... 85
611........................ Costs................................................................................. 85
Division 4—Organisation of the FWC 87
Subdivision A—Functions etc. to be performed by a single FWC Member, a Full Bench or an Expert Panel 87
612........................ FWC’s functions etc. may generally be performed by single FWC Member 87
613........................ Appeal of decisions.......................................................... 87
614........................ Review of decisions by a Full Bench................................ 88
615........................ The President may direct a Full Bench to perform function etc. 88
615A..................... When the President must direct a Full Bench to perform function etc. 89
615B...................... Transfer to a Full Bench from an FWC Member.............. 90
615C...................... Transfer to the President from an FWC Member or a Full Bench 90
616........................ FWC’s functions etc. that must be performed by a Full Bench 91
617........................ FWC’s functions etc. that must be performed by an Expert Panel 92
Subdivision B—Constitution of the FWC by a single FWC Member, a Full Bench or an Expert Panel 94
618........................ Constitution and decision‑making of a Full Bench........... 94
619........................ Seniority of FWC Members............................................. 94
620........................ Constitution and decision‑making of an Expert Panel....... 95
621........................ Reconstitution of the FWC when single FWC Member becomes unavailable 96
622........................ Reconstitution of the FWC when FWC Member of a Full Bench or an Expert Panel becomes unavailable.......................................................................................... 97
623........................ When new FWC Members begin to deal with matters...... 97
624........................ FWC’s decisions not invalid when improperly constituted 98
Subdivision C—Delegation of the FWC’s functions and powers 98
625........................ Delegation by the President of functions and powers of the FWC 98
Division 5—FWC Members 100
Subdivision A—Appointment of FWC Members 100
626........................ Appointment of FWC Members..................................... 100
627........................ Qualifications for appointment of FWC Members.......... 100
628........................ Basis of appointment of FWC Members........................ 102
629........................ Period of appointment of FWC Members....................... 102
Subdivision B—Terms and conditions of FWC Members 103
629A..................... Status of the President.................................................... 103
630........................ Appointment of a Judge not to affect tenure etc.............. 104
631........................ Dual federal and State appointments of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners 104
632........................ Dual federal and Territory appointments of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners 105
633........................ Outside work of FWC Members.................................... 105
634........................ Oath or affirmation of office........................................... 105
635........................ Remuneration of the President........................................ 106
636........................ Application of Judges’ Pensions Act to the President.... 106
637........................ Remuneration of FWC Members other than the President 107
638........................ Remuneration of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners performing duties on a part‑time basis 108
639........................ Leave of absence of FWC Members other than the President 109
640........................ Disclosure of interests by FWC Members other than the President 109
641........................ Termination of appointment on grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity 110
641A..................... Minister may handle complaints about FWC Members.. 110
641B...................... Modified application of the Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Act 2012........................................................................................ 111
642........................ Suspension on grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity... 118
643........................ Termination of appointment for bankruptcy, etc............. 119
644........................ Termination of appointment for outside work................. 119
645........................ Resignation of FWC Members....................................... 120
646........................ Other terms and conditions of FWC Members............... 120
647........................ Appointment of acting President and Vice President...... 120
648........................ Appointment of acting Deputy Presidents and Commissioners 121
Division 6—Cooperation with the States 123
649........................ President to cooperate with prescribed State industrial authorities 123
650........................ Provision of administrative support................................ 123
Division 7—Seals and additional powers and functions of the President and the General Manager 124
651........................ Seals............................................................................... 124
652........................ Annual report.................................................................. 125
653........................ Reports about making enterprise agreements, individual flexibility arrangements etc. 125
653A..................... Arrangements with the Federal Court and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)........................................................................................ 127
654........................ President must provide certain information etc. to the Minister and Fair Work Ombudsman 127
655........................ Disclosure of information by the FWC........................... 127
Division 8—General Manager, staff and consultants 129
Subdivision A—Functions of the General Manager 129
656........................ Establishment.................................................................. 129
657........................ Functions and powers of the General Manager.............. 129
658........................ Directions from the President......................................... 129
659........................ General Manager not otherwise subject to direction....... 130
Subdivision B—Appointment and terms and conditions of the General Manager 130
660........................ Appointment of the General Manager............................. 130
661........................ Remuneration of the General Manager........................... 130
662........................ Leave of absence of the General Manager...................... 131
663........................ Outside work of the General Manager............................ 131
664........................ Disclosure of interests to the President........................... 131
665........................ Resignation of the General Manager............................... 131
666........................ Termination of appointment of the General Manager...... 131
667........................ Other terms and conditions of the General Manager....... 132
668........................ Appointment of acting General Manager........................ 132
669........................ Minister to consult the President..................................... 133
Subdivision C—Staff and consultants 133
670........................ Staff................................................................................ 133
671........................ Delegation by General Manager to staff......................... 133
672........................ Persons assisting the FWC............................................. 134
673........................ Consultants..................................................................... 134
Subdivision D—Application of the finance law 134
673A..................... Application of the finance law........................................ 134
Division 9—Offences relating to the Fair Work Commission 136
674........................ Offences in relation to the FWC..................................... 136
675........................ Contravening an FWC order........................................... 138
676........................ Intimidation etc............................................................... 139
677........................ Offences in relation to attending before the FWC........... 139
678........................ False or misleading evidence.......................................... 140
Part 5‑2—Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 142
Division 1—Introduction 142
679........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 142
680........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 142
Division 2—Fair Work Ombudsman 143
Subdivision A—Establishment and functions and powers of the Fair Work Ombudsman 143
681........................ Establishment.................................................................. 143
682........................ Functions of the Fair Work Ombudsman....................... 143
683........................ Delegation by the Fair Work Ombudsman..................... 144
684........................ Directions from the Minister........................................... 145
685........................ Minister may require reports........................................... 145
686........................ Annual report.................................................................. 146
Subdivision B—Appointment and terms and conditions of the Fair Work Ombudsman 146
687........................ Appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman.................. 146
688........................ Remuneration of the Fair Work Ombudsman................. 146
689........................ Leave of absence of the Fair Work Ombudsman............ 147
690........................ Outside work of the Fair Work Ombudsman................. 147
692........................ Resignation of the Fair Work Ombudsman.................... 147
693........................ Termination of appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman 147
694........................ Other terms and conditions of the Fair Work Ombudsman 148
695........................ Appointment of acting Fair Work Ombudsman.............. 148
Division 3—Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 150
Subdivision A—Establishment of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 150
696........................ Establishment of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 150
Subdivision B—Staff and consultants etc. 150
697........................ Staff................................................................................ 150
698........................ Persons assisting the Fair Work Ombudsman................ 150
699........................ Consultants..................................................................... 151
Subdivision C—Appointment of Fair Work Inspectors 151
700........................ Appointment of Fair Work Inspectors............................ 151
701........................ Fair Work Ombudsman is a Fair Work Inspector........... 151
702........................ Identity cards.................................................................. 152
Subdivision D—Functions and powers of Fair Work Inspectors—general 153
703........................ Conditions and restrictions on functions and powers..... 153
704........................ General directions by the Fair Work Ombudsman.......... 153
705........................ Particular directions by the Fair Work Ombudsman....... 153
706........................ Purpose for which powers of inspectors may be exercised 154
707........................ When powers of inspectors may be exercised................ 154
707A..................... Hindering or obstructing the Fair Work Ombudsman and inspectors etc. 155
Subdivision DA—Power to enter premises 155
708........................ Power of inspectors to enter premises............................ 155
709........................ Powers of inspectors while on premises......................... 156
710........................ Persons assisting inspectors........................................... 157
Subdivision DB—Powers to ask questions and require records and documents 157
711........................ Power to ask for person’s name and address.................. 157
712........................ Power to require persons to produce records or documents 158
712A..................... Minister may nominate AAT presidential members to issue FWO notices 158
712AA.................. Fair Work Ombudsman may apply to nominated AAT presidential member for FWO notice 159
712AB................... Issue of FWO notice....................................................... 161
712AC................... Form and content of FWO notice................................... 162
712AD.................. Fair Work Ombudsman may give FWO notice to person in relation to whom it is issued and vary time for compliance...................................................................... 163
712AE................... Conduct of examination.................................................. 164
712B...................... Requirement to comply with FWO notice....................... 164
712C...................... Payment for expenses incurred in attending as required by an FWO notice 165
712D..................... Protection from liability relating to FWO notices............ 165
712E...................... Fair Work Ombudsman must notify Commonwealth Ombudsman of issue of FWO notice 165
712F...................... Review and report by Commonwealth Ombudsman...... 166
Subdivision DC—Other rules relating to answers, records and documents 168
713........................ Self‑incrimination etc...................................................... 168
713A..................... Certain records and documents are inadmissible............. 169
713AA.................. Legal professional privilege............................................ 169
714........................ Power to keep records or documents.............................. 169
714A..................... Reports not to include information relating to an individual’s affairs 170
Subdivision DD—Enforceable undertakings and compliance notices 171
715........................ Enforceable undertakings relating to contraventions of civil remedy provisions 171
716........................ Compliance notices......................................................... 172
717........................ Review of compliance notices......................................... 174
Subdivision E—Disclosure of information by the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 175
718........................ Disclosure of information by the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 175
Subdivision F—False or misleading information or documents 176
718A..................... False or misleading information or documents............... 176
Chapter 6—Miscellaneous 178
Part 6‑1—Multiple actions 178
Division 1—Introduction 178
719........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 178
720........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 178
Division 2—Certain actions not permitted if alternative action can be taken 179
721........................ Equal remuneration applications..................................... 179
722........................ Notification and consultation requirements applications. 179
723........................ Unlawful termination applications.................................. 180
Division 3—Preventing multiple actions 181
Subdivision A—Equal remuneration applications 181
724........................ Equal remuneration applications..................................... 181
Subdivision B—Applications and complaints relating to dismissal 182
725........................ General rule.................................................................... 182
726........................ Dismissal remedy bargaining order applications............. 182
727........................ General protections FWC applications............................ 182
728........................ General protections court applications............................ 183
729........................ Unfair dismissal applications.......................................... 184
730........................ Unlawful termination FWC applications......................... 184
731........................ Unlawful termination court applications......................... 185
732........................ Applications and complaints under other laws................ 185
733........................ Dismissal does not include failure to provide benefits.... 186
Subdivision C—General protections applications that do not relate to dismissal 186
734........................ General rule.................................................................... 186
Part 6‑2—Dealing with disputes 188
Division 1—Introduction 188
735........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 188
736........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 188
Division 2—Dealing with disputes 189
Subdivision A—Model term about dealing with disputes 189
737........................ Model term about dealing with disputes......................... 189
Subdivision B—Dealing with disputes 189
738........................ Application of this Division............................................ 189
739........................ Disputes dealt with by the FWC..................................... 189
740........................ Dispute dealt with by persons other than the FWC......... 190
Part 6‑3—Extension of National Employment Standards entitlements 192
Division 1—Introduction 192
741........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 192
742........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 192
Division 2—Extension of entitlement to unpaid parental leave and related entitlements 193
Subdivision A—Main provisions 193
743........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 193
744........................ Extending the entitlement to unpaid parental leave and related entitlements 193
745........................ Contravening the extended parental leave provisions...... 195
746........................ References to the National Employment Standards include extended parental leave provisions 195
747........................ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................. 195
Subdivision B—Modifications of the extended parental leave provisions 196
748........................ Non‑national system employees are not award/agreement free employees 196
749........................ Modification of meaning of base rate of pay for pieceworkers 196
750........................ Modification of meaning of full rate of pay for pieceworkers 196
751........................ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work—if determined by State industrial instrument 196
752........................ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work—if not determined by State industrial instrument 197
753........................ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work—regulations may prescribe usual weekly hours 197
754........................ Modification of meaning of pieceworker........................ 197
755........................ Modification of provision about interaction with paid leave 198
756........................ Modification of provision about relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements........................................................................................ 198
757........................ Modification of power to make regulations.................... 198
Division 3—Extension of entitlement to notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice 199
Subdivision A—Main provisions 199
758........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 199
759........................ Extending entitlement to notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice 199
760........................ Contravening the extended notice of termination provisions 200
761........................ References to the National Employment Standards include extended notice of termination provisions 201
762........................ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................. 201
Subdivision B—Modifications of the extended notice of termination provisions 201
763........................ Non‑national system employees are not award/agreement free employees 201
764........................ Modification of meaning of full rate of pay for pieceworkers 201
765........................ Modification of meaning of pieceworker........................ 202
766........................ Modification of provision about notice of termination by employee 202
767........................ Modification of provision about relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements........................................................................................ 202
768........................ Modification of power to make regulations.................... 202
Part 6‑3A—Transfer of business from a State public sector employer 204
Division 1—Introduction 204
768AA.................. Guide to this Part............................................................ 204
768AB................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 204
Division 2—Copying terms of State instruments when there is a transfer of business 205
768AC................... What this Division is about............................................. 205
768AD.................. When does a transfer of business occur?........................ 205
768AE................... Meaning of transferring employee, termination time and re‑employment time 206
Division 3—Copied State instruments 207
Subdivision A—Guide to this Division 207
768AF................... What this Division is about............................................. 207
Subdivision B—Copied State instruments 207
768AG.................. Contravening a copied State instrument.......................... 207
768AH.................. What is a copied State instrument?.................................. 208
768AI.................... What is a copied State award?......................................... 208
768AJ.................... What is a State award?.................................................... 209
768AK................... What is a copied State employment agreement?.............. 209
768AL................... What is a State employment agreement?......................... 211
768AM.................. When does a copied State instrument apply to a person? 212
768AN.................. When does a copied State instrument cover a person?.... 213
768AO.................. When is a copied State instrument in operation?............. 215
Division 4—Interaction between copied State instruments and the NES, modern awards and enterprise agreements 217
Subdivision A—Guide to this Division 217
768AP................... What this Division is about............................................. 217
Subdivision B—Interaction with the NES 217
768AQ.................. Interaction between the NES and a copied State instrument 217
768AR................... Provisions of the NES that allow instruments to contain particular kinds of terms 217
Subdivision C—Interaction with modern awards 219
768AS................... Modern awards and copied State awards........................ 219
768AT................... Modern awards and copied State employment agreements 219
Subdivision D—Interaction with enterprise agreements 221
768AU.................. Enterprise agreements and copied State instruments....... 221
Division 5—Variation and termination of copied State instruments 222
Subdivision A—Guide to this Division 222
768AV.................. What this Division is about............................................. 222
Subdivision B—Variation of copied State instruments 222
768AW.................. Variation in limited circumstances.................................. 222
768AX.................. Variation of copied State instruments............................. 222
Subdivision C—Termination of copied State instruments 225
768AY.................. Termination in limited circumstances.............................. 225
Division 6—FWC orders about coverage of copied State instruments and other instruments 226
Subdivision A—Guide to this Division 226
768AZ................... What this Division is about............................................. 226
768AZA................ Orders in relation to a transfer of business..................... 226
Subdivision B—Coverage orders 227
768BA................... FWC orders about coverage for transferring employees. 227
768BB................... FWC orders about coverage for employee organisations 228
Division 7—FWC orders about consolidating copied State instruments etc. 230
Subdivision A—Guide to this Division 230
768BC................... What this Division is about............................................. 230
768BCA................ Orders in relation to a transfer of business..................... 231
Subdivision B—Consolidation orders in relation to transferring employees 231
768BD................... Consolidation orders in relation to transferring employees 231
768BE................... Consolidation order to deal with application and coverage 232
768BF................... Effect of this Act after a consolidation order is made...... 233
Subdivision C—Consolidation orders in relation to non‑transferring employees 233
768BG................... Consolidation orders in relation to non‑transferring employees 233
768BH................... Consolidation order to deal with application and coverage 235
768BI.................... Effect of this Act after a consolidation order is made...... 236
Division 8—Special rules for copied State instruments 237
Subdivision A—Guide to this Division 237
768BJ.................... What this Division is about............................................. 237
Subdivision B—Terms about disputes 238
768BK................... Where no term dealing with disputes.............................. 238
Subdivision C—Service and entitlements of a transferring employee 238
768BL................... Service for the purposes of this Act................................ 238
768BM.................. NES—working out non‑accruing entitlements............... 239
768BN................... NES—working out accruing entitlements....................... 240
768BO................... Copied State instrument—service................................... 241
768BP................... Copied State instrument—working out non‑accruing entitlements 242
768BQ................... Copied State instrument—working out accruing entitlements 243
Subdivision D—Cessation of copied State awards: avoiding reductions in take‑home pay 244
768BR................... Cessation not intended to result in reduction in take‑home pay 244
768BS................... Orders remedying reductions in take‑home pay.............. 245
768BT................... Contravening a take‑home pay order.............................. 246
768BU................... How long a take‑home pay order continues to apply...... 246
768BV................... Interaction of take‑home pay orders with modern awards and enterprise agreements 246
768BW.................. Application of this Act to take‑home pay orders............. 246
Subdivision E—Modification of this Act 247
768BX................... Modification of this Act for copied State instruments..... 247
Subdivision F—Modification of the Transitional Act 248
768BY................... Modification of the Transitional Act for copied State instruments 248
Subdivision G—Modification of the Registered Organisations Act 252
768BZ................... Modification of the Registered Organisations Act for copied State instruments 252
Division 9—Regulations 254
768CA................... Regulations..................................................................... 254
Part 6‑4—Additional provisions relating to termination of employment 256
Division 1—Introduction 256
769........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 256
770........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 256
Division 2—Termination of employment 257
771........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 257
772........................ Employment not to be terminated on certain grounds..... 258
773........................ Application for the FWC to deal with a dispute.............. 259
774........................ Time for application........................................................ 260
775........................ Application fees.............................................................. 260
776........................ Dealing with a dispute (other than by arbitration)........... 260
777........................ Dealing with a dispute by arbitration.............................. 261
778........................ Taking a dispute to court................................................. 262
779........................ Appeal rights.................................................................. 263
779A..................... Costs orders against parties............................................ 263
780........................ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................. 263
781........................ Applications for costs orders.......................................... 264
781A..................... Schedule of costs............................................................ 264
782........................ Contravening costs orders.............................................. 265
783........................ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise 265
Division 3—Notification and consultation requirements relating to certain terminations of employment 266
Subdivision A—Object of this Division 266
784........................ Object of this Division.................................................... 266
Subdivision B—Requirement to notify Centrelink 266
785........................ Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed terminations 266
Subdivision C—Failure to notify or consult registered employee associations 267
786........................ FWC may make orders where failure to notify or consult registered employee associations about terminations........................................................................................ 267
787........................ Orders that the FWC may make...................................... 269
788........................ Application to the FWC for order................................... 269
Subdivision D—Limits on scope of this Division 270
789........................ Limits on scope of this Division..................................... 270
Part 6‑4A—Special provisions about TCF outworkers 271
Division 1—Introduction 271
789AA.................. Guide to this Part............................................................ 271
789AB................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 271
789AC................... Objects of this Part......................................................... 271
Division 2—TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances 273
789BA................... Provisions covered by this Division............................... 273
789BB................... TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances 274
789BC................... Regulations relating to TCF outworkers who are taken to be employees 275
Division 3—Recovery of unpaid amounts 276
789CA................... When this Division applies............................................. 276
789CB................... Liability of indirectly responsible entity for unpaid amount 278
789CC................... Demand for payment from an apparent indirectly responsible entity 278
789CD................... Court order for entity to pay amount demanded.............. 279
789CE................... Effect of payment by entity (including entity’s right to recover from responsible person) 280
789CF................... Division does not limit other liabilities or rights............. 281
Division 4—Code of practice relating to TCF outwork 283
789DA.................. Regulations may provide for a code................................ 283
789DB................... Matters that may be dealt with in TCF outwork code..... 283
789DC................... Persons on whom obligations may be imposed by TCF outwork code 284
789DD.................. Other general matters relating to content of TCF outwork code 285
789DE................... Relationship between the TCF outwork code and other instruments 286
Division 5—Miscellaneous 288
789EA................... Part not intended to exclude or limit State or Territory laws relating to outworkers 288
Part 6‑4B—Workers bullied or sexually harassed at work 289
Division 1—Introduction 289
789FA................... Guide to this Part............................................................ 289
789FB................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 289
Division 2—Stopping workers being bullied or sexually harassed at work 290
789FC................... Application for an FWC order to stop bullying or sexual harassment 290
789FD................... When is a worker bullied at work or sexually harassed at work? 290
789FE.................... FWC to deal with applications promptly......................... 291
789FF.................... FWC may make orders to stop bullying or sexual harassment 292
789FG................... Contravening an order to stop bullying or sexual harassment 293
789FH................... Actions under work health and safety laws permitted..... 293
789FI..................... This Part is not to prejudice Australia’s defence, national security etc. 293
789FJ.................... Declarations by the Chief of the Defence Force.............. 294
789FK................... Declarations by the Director‑General of Security........... 294
789FL.................... Declarations by the Director‑General of ASIS............... 294
Part 6‑4C—Coronavirus economic response 296
Division 1—Introduction 296
789GC................... Definitions...................................................................... 296
789GCB................ 10% decline in turnover test............................................ 298
789GCC................ Designated quarter.......................................................... 298
789GCD................ 10% decline in turnover certificate.................................. 299
789GCA................ When employer qualifies for the jobkeeper scheme........ 300
Division 7—Service 301
789GR................... Service............................................................................ 301
Division 8—Accrual rules 302
789GS................... Accrual rules................................................................... 302
Division 10—Dealing with disputes 303
789GV.................. FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part 303
789GW.................. Contravening an FWC order dealing with a dispute about the operation of this Part 304
Division 12—Protections 305
789GXA............... Misuse of jobkeeper enabling direction.......................... 305
789GXB................ 10% decline in turnover test—prohibited conduct.......... 305
789GXC................ False statutory declaration............................................... 306
789GXD............... Federal Court may terminate a jobkeeper enabling direction if employer does not satisfy the 10% decline in turnover test.................................................................... 306
789GXE................ Federal Court may terminate a subsection 789GJD(2) agreement if employer does not satisfy the 10% decline in turnover test................................................................ 307
789GY.................. Protection of workplace rights........................................ 308
789GZ................... Relationship with other laws etc..................................... 308
789GZA................ Redundancy.................................................................... 309
Division 13—Review of this Part 310
789GZB................ Review of this Part......................................................... 310
Part 6‑4E—Extension of anti‑discrimination rules 311
789HA.................. Constitutional basis of this Part...................................... 311
789HB................... Extension of anti‑discrimination rules............................. 311
Part 6‑5—Miscellaneous 313
Division 1—Introduction 313
790........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 313
791........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 313
Division 2—Miscellaneous 314
792........................ Delegation by Minister................................................... 314
793........................ Liability of bodies corporate........................................... 314
794........................ Signature on behalf of body corporate............................ 315
795........................ Public sector employer to act through employing authority 315
795A..................... The Schedules................................................................. 317
796........................ Regulations—general...................................................... 317
796A..................... Regulations conferring functions.................................... 317
797........................ Regulations dealing with offences.................................. 317
798........................ Regulations dealing with civil penalties.......................... 318
799........................ Regulations dealing with infringement notices................ 318
800........................ Regulations dealing with exhibiting fair work instruments 318
Schedule 1—Application, saving and transitional provisions relating to amendments of this Act 319
Part 1—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry) Act 2012 319
1............................ Definitions...................................................................... 319
2............................ Section 789BB of amended Act applies to contracts entered into after commencement 319
3............................ Effect on TCF contract outworker’s entitlements............ 320
4............................ Fair work instruments etc. made before commencement. 320
5............................ Application of Division 3 of Part 6‑4A of amended Act 321
6............................ Application of subsection 203(2A) of amended Act....... 321
7............................ Regulations dealing with various matters........................ 321
Part 2—Amendments made by the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Further MySuper and Transparency Measures) Act 2012 323
8............................ Definitions...................................................................... 323
9............................ Application of sections 149A and 155A of amended Act 323
10.......................... FWC to vary certain modern awards.............................. 323
11.......................... FWC to update text of certain modern awards................ 324
12.......................... Application of paragraph 194(h) of amended Act........... 324
Part 3—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Respect for Emergency Services Volunteers) Act 2016 325
13.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 325
14.......................... Application of amendments—objectionable emergency management terms 325
Part 4—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017 327
15.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 327
16.......................... Application of amendments—unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amounts 327
17.......................... Saving of regulations—unreasonable deductions........... 327
18.......................... Application of amendments—increasing maximum penalties for contraventions of certain civil remedy provisions....................................................................... 327
19.......................... Application of amendments—responsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies 328
20.......................... Application of amendments—hindering or obstructing the Fair Work Ombudsman and inspectors etc. 328
21.......................... Application of power to give FWO notices.................... 328
22.......................... Application of amendments relating to self‑incrimination etc. 329
23.......................... Application of requirement for reports not to include information relating to an individual’s affairs 329
24.......................... Application of amendments—false or misleading information or documents 329
24A....................... Application of amendments—presumption where records not provided 329
Part 5—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Repeal of 4 Yearly Reviews and Other Measures) Act 2018 330
Division 1—General 330
25.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 330
Division 2—Amendments made by Schedule 1 to the amending Act 331
26.......................... Incomplete review of modern award............................... 331
27.......................... Dismissing applications.................................................. 332
Division 3—Amendments made by Schedule 2 to the amending Act 333
28.......................... Application of amendments—when employees have genuinely agreed to an enterprise agreement 333
Division 4—Amendments made by Schedule 3 to the amending Act 335
29.......................... Application of section 641B of the amended Act............ 335
Part 6—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Corrupting Benefits) Act 2017 336
30.......................... Disclosure by organisations and employers.................... 336
Part 8—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Act 2018 337
39.......................... Entitlement to unpaid family and domestic violence leave 337
40.......................... Resolving uncertainties and difficulties about interaction between enterprise agreements and unpaid family and domestic violence leave................................................... 337
Part 9—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Improving Unpaid Parental Leave for Parents of Stillborn Babies and Other Measures) Act 2020 339
41.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 339
42.......................... Amendments about stillbirth, death and hospitalisation of children 339
43.......................... Amendments about flexible unpaid parental leave.......... 340
Part 10—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Act 2021 342
Division 1—Definitions 342
44.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 342
Division 2—Amendments made by Schedule 1 to the amending Act 343
45.......................... Resolving uncertainties and difficulties about interaction between enterprise agreements and the definition of casual employee and casual conversion rights................ 343
46.......................... Application of certain amendments................................. 343
47.......................... Transitioning casual employees...................................... 345
47A....................... Casual employees of small business employers.............. 347
48.......................... Variations to modern awards.......................................... 347
Part 11—Amendments made by the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Act 2021 349
49.......................... Orders to stop bullying................................................... 349
49A....................... Applications for orders to stop sexual harassment.......... 349
50.......................... Orders to stop sexual harassment................................... 349
Part 12—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Act 2022 350
51.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 350
52.......................... Entitlement to paid family and domestic violence leave... 350
53.......................... Resolving interactions between enterprise agreements and paid family and domestic violence leave 351
Part 13—Amendments made by the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 353
Division 1—Definitions 353
55.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 353
Division 2—Amendments made by Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 354
56.......................... Appeal of decisions of the Registered Organisations Commissioner 354
Division 3—Amendments made by Part 4 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 355
57.......................... Objects of the Act........................................................... 355
Division 4—Amendments made by Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 356
58.......................... Equal remuneration......................................................... 356
Division 5—Amendments made by Part 7 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 357
59.......................... Pay secrecy..................................................................... 357
Division 6—Amendments made by Part 8 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 359
60.......................... Prohibiting sexual harassment in connection with work. 359
Division 7—Amendments made by Part 9 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 360
61.......................... Anti‑discrimination and special measures....................... 360
Division 8—Amendments made by Part 10 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 361
62.......................... Fixed term contracts........................................................ 361
63.......................... Resolving uncertainties and difficulties about interaction between enterprise agreements and the provisions of Division 5 of Part 2‑9..................................................... 361
Division 9—Amendments made by Part 11 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 362
64.......................... Requests for flexible working arrangements................... 362
Division 10—Amendments made by Part 12 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 363
65.......................... Termination of enterprise agreements after nominal expiry date 363
Division 11—Amendments made by Part 14 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 364
66.......................... Genuine agreement in relation to enterprise agreements.. 364
Division 12—Amendments made by Part 16 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 365
67.......................... The better off overall test................................................ 365
Division 13—Amendments made by Part 17 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 366
68.......................... Validation of approval of enterprise agreement............... 366
69.......................... Validation of approval of variation of enterprise agreement 366
Division 14—Amendments made by Part 18 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 367
70.......................... Serious breach declarations............................................. 367
71.......................... Intractable bargaining declarations.................................. 367
Division 15—Amendments made by Part 19 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 368
72.......................... Industrial action.............................................................. 368
Division 16—Amendments made by Part 21 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 370
73.......................... Variation of single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees 370
74.......................... Application to existing applications for declarations....... 370
75.......................... Application to existing Ministerial declarations where application for authorisation not made 370
76.......................... Application to existing applications for authorisations.... 371
77.......................... Effect of making a single interest employer authorisation 371
78.......................... Application to existing applications to vary authorisations 371
78A....................... Application to authorisations in operation before commencement 371
78B........................ Application to certain authorisations made after commencement 372
78C........................ Availability of scope orders............................................ 372
Division 17—Amendments made by Part 23 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 373
80A....................... Approval of enterprise agreement—requirement relating to genuine agreement of employers 373
81.......................... Approval of cooperative workplace agreement—requirement relating to representation 373
82.......................... Variation of cooperative workplace agreement to add employer and employees 373
Division 17A—Amendments made by Part 23A of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 374
82A....................... Multi‑enterprise agreements and general building and construction work 374
Division 18—Amendments made by Part 24 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 375
83.......................... Small claims procedure................................................... 375
Division 19—Amendments made by Part 25 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 376
84.......................... Employment advertisements........................................... 376
Division 20—Amendments made by Part 25B of Schedule 1 to the amending Act 377
85.......................... Requests for extension of period of unpaid parental leave 377
Schedule 2—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Transfer of Business) Act 2012 378
1............................ Definitions...................................................................... 378
2............................ Application of the amendments made by the amending Act 378
Schedule 3—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment Act 2012 379
Part 1—Preliminary 379
1............................ Definitions...................................................................... 379
Part 2—Default superannuation (Schedule 1) 380
2............................ Schedule 1 to the amending Act...................................... 380
2A......................... Transitional provision—when first variations of default fund term take effect 380
2B.......................... Transitional provision—modern awards made on or after 1 January 2014 381
Part 3—Modern awards (Schedule 3) 382
3............................ Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the amending Act....................... 382
Part 4—Enterprise agreements (Schedule 4) 383
4............................ Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 383
5............................ Part 2 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 383
6............................ Part 3 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 383
7............................ Part 4 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 384
8............................ Part 5 of Schedule 4 to the amending Act....................... 384
Part 5—General protections (Schedule 5) 385
9............................ Part 1 of Schedule 5 to the amending Act....................... 385
Part 6—Unfair dismissal (Schedule 6) 386
10.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 386
11.......................... Part 2 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 386
12.......................... Part 3 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 386
13.......................... Part 4 of Schedule 6 to the amending Act....................... 386
Part 7—Industrial action (Schedule 7) 387
14.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 7 to the amending Act....................... 387
15.......................... Part 2 of Schedule 7 to the amending Act....................... 387
16.......................... Part 3 of Schedule 7 to the amending Act....................... 387
Part 8—The Fair Work Commission (Schedule 8) 388
17.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 388
18.......................... Part 2 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 388
19.......................... Part 4 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 388
20.......................... Part 5 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 388
21.......................... Part 6 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 388
22.......................... Part 7 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 389
23.......................... Part 8 of Schedule 8 to the amending Act....................... 389
Part 9—Changing the name of Fair Work Australia (Schedule 9) 390
24.......................... Transitional provision—President.................................. 390
25.......................... Transitional provision—Deputy President...................... 391
26.......................... Transitional provision—Commissioner.......................... 392
27.......................... Transitional provision—Minimum Wage Panel Member 393
28.......................... Operation of laws—things done by, or in relation to, FWA 394
29.......................... Transitional provision—General Manager and staff of FWA 394
30.......................... Operation of section 7 and subsection 25B(1) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 not limited 395
Part 10—Other amendments (Schedule 10) 396
31.......................... Part 1 of Schedule 10 to the amending Act..................... 396
Part 11—Regulations 397
32.......................... Regulations about application, transitional and saving matters 397
Schedule 4—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment Act 2013 398
Part 1—Preliminary 398
1............................ Definition........................................................................ 398
Part 2—Family‑friendly measures (Schedule 1) 399
2............................ Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 399
3............................ Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 399
4............................ Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 399
5............................ Part 4 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 399
6............................ Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 400
Part 3—Modern awards objective (Schedule 2) 401
7............................ Schedule 2 to the amending Act...................................... 401
Part 4—Anti‑bullying measure (Schedule 3) 402
8............................ Schedule 3 to the amending Act...................................... 402
Part 4A—Conferences (Schedule 3A) 403
8A......................... Schedule 3A to the amending Act................................... 403
Part 5—Right of entry (Schedule 4) 404
9............................ Schedule 4 to the amending Act...................................... 404
Part 6—Consent arbitration for general protections and unlawful termination (Schedule 4A) 405
10.......................... Schedule 4A to the amending Act................................... 405
Part 7—The FWC (Schedule 5) 406
11.......................... Item 4 of Schedule 5 to the amending Act...................... 406
Schedule 5—Amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment Act 2015 407
1............................ Definition........................................................................ 407
2............................ Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 407
9............................ Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 407
11.......................... Part 7 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act....................... 407
14.......................... Part 10 of Schedule 1 to the amending Act..................... 407
Endnotes 408
Endnote 1—About the endnotes 408
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 410
Endnote 3—Legislation history 411
Endnote 4—Amendment history 421