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)............................................................... 10
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. 49
13.......... Meaning of national system employee.............................................. 49
14.......... Meaning of national system employer.............................................. 49
14A....... Transitional matters relating to employers etc. becoming, or ceasing to be, national system employers etc. 51
15.......... Ordinary meanings of employee and employer................................. 52
15A....... Meaning of casual employee............................................................. 52
Division 4—Other definitions 54
16.......... Meaning of base rate of pay............................................................. 54
17.......... Meaning of child of a person............................................................ 55
17A....... Meaning of directly and indirectly (in relation to TCF work)............ 55
18.......... Meaning of full rate of pay................................................................ 56
19.......... Meaning of industrial action............................................................. 57
20.......... Meaning of ordinary hours of work for award/agreement free employees 58
21.......... Meaning of pieceworker................................................................... 59
22.......... Meanings of service and continuous service..................................... 60
23.......... Meaning of small business employer................................................ 63
23A....... Terms relating to superannuation...................................................... 64
Part 1‑3—Application of this Act 66
Division 1—Introduction 66
24.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 66
25.......... Meanings of employee and employer................................................ 66
Division 2—Interaction with State and Territory laws 67
26.......... Act excludes State or Territory industrial laws.................................. 67
27.......... State and Territory laws that are not excluded by section 26............. 69
28.......... Act excludes prescribed State and Territory laws.............................. 70
29.......... Interaction of modern awards and enterprise agreements with State and Territory laws 71
30.......... Act may exclude State and Territory laws etc. in other cases............ 71
Division 2A—Application of this Act in States that refer matters before 1 July 2009 72
30A....... Meaning of terms used in this Division............................................ 72
30B....... Meaning of referring State................................................................ 77
30C....... Extended meaning of national system employee............................... 80
30D....... Extended meaning of national system employer............................... 80
30E........ Extended ordinary meanings of employee and employer................... 81
30F........ Extended meaning of outworker entity.............................................. 81
30G....... General protections........................................................................... 82
30H....... Division only has effect if supported by reference............................ 82
Division 2B—Application of this Act in States that refer matters after 1 July 2009 but on or before 1 January 2010 83
30K....... Meaning of terms used in this Division............................................ 83
30L........ Meaning of referring State................................................................ 88
30M...... Extended meaning of national system employee............................... 91
30N....... Extended meaning of national system employer............................... 91
30P........ Extended ordinary meanings of employee and employer................... 92
30Q....... Extended meaning of outworker entity.............................................. 92
30R....... General protections........................................................................... 93
30S........ Division only has effect if supported by reference............................ 93
Division 3—Geographical application of this Act 94
31.......... Exclusion of persons etc. insufficiently connected with Australia..... 94
32.......... Regulations may modify application of this Act in certain parts of Australia 94
32A....... Rules may modify application of this Act in Norfolk Island............. 95
33.......... Extension of this Act to the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf 96
34.......... Extension of this Act beyond the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf 97
35.......... Meanings of Australian employer and Australian‑based employee.. 99
35A....... Regulations excluding application of Act........................................ 100
36.......... Geographical application of offences.............................................. 100
Division 4—Miscellaneous 101
37.......... Act binds Crown............................................................................. 101
38.......... Act not to apply so as to exceed Commonwealth power................. 101
39.......... Acquisition of property................................................................... 102
40.......... Interaction between fair work instruments and public sector employment laws 102
40A....... Application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.............................. 103
Chapter 2—Terms and conditions of employment 104
Part 2‑1—Core provisions for this Chapter 104
Division 1—Introduction 104
41.......... Guide to this Part............................................................................ 104
42.......... Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 105
Division 2—Core provisions for this Chapter 106
Subdivision A—Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act 106
43.......... Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act....... 106
Subdivision B—Terms and conditions of employment provided by the National Employment Standards 107
44.......... Contravening the National Employment Standards......................... 107
Subdivision C—Terms and conditions of employment provided by a modern award 107
45.......... Contravening a modern award........................................................ 107
46.......... The significance of a modern award applying to a person............... 107
47.......... When a modern award applies to an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity 108
48.......... When a modern award covers an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity 109
49.......... When a modern award is in operation............................................. 110
Subdivision D—Terms and conditions of employment provided by an enterprise agreement 111
50.......... Contravening an enterprise agreement............................................. 111
51.......... The significance of an enterprise agreement applying to a person... 111
52.......... When an enterprise agreement applies to an employer, employee or employee organisation 111
53.......... When an enterprise agreement covers an employer, employee or employee organisation 112
54.......... When an enterprise agreement is in operation................................. 113
Division 3—Interaction between the National Employment Standards, modern awards and enterprise agreements 115
Subdivision A—Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or an enterprise agreement 115
55.......... Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or enterprise agreement 115
56.......... Terms of a modern award or enterprise agreement contravening section 55 have no effect 117
Subdivision B—Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements 118
57.......... Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements...... 118
57A....... Designated outworker terms of a modern award continue to apply. 118
Subdivision C—Interaction between one or more enterprise agreements 119
58.......... Only one enterprise agreement can apply to an employee............... 119
Part 2‑2—The National Employment Standards 121
Division 1—Introduction 121
59.......... Guide to this Part............................................................................ 121
60.......... Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 122
Division 2—The National Employment Standards 123
61.......... The National Employment Standards are minimum standards applying to employment of employees 123
Division 3—Maximum weekly hours 124
62.......... Maximum weekly hours................................................................. 124
63.......... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for averaging of hours of work 125
64.......... Averaging of hours of work for award/agreement free employees. 126
Division 4—Requests for flexible working arrangements 127
65.......... Requests for flexible working arrangements................................... 127
66.......... State and Territory laws that are not excluded................................. 129
Division 4A—Offers and requests for casual conversion 130
Subdivision A—Application of Division 130
66A....... Division applies to casual employees etc......................................... 130
Subdivision B—Employer offers for casual conversion 130
66AA.... Subdivision does not apply to small business employers................ 130
66B....... Employer offers.............................................................................. 130
66C....... When employer offers not required................................................. 131
66D....... Employee must give a response...................................................... 133
66E........ Acceptances of offers...................................................................... 133
Subdivision C—Residual right to request casual conversion 133
66F........ Employee requests.......................................................................... 133
66G....... Employer must give a response....................................................... 135
66H....... Refusals of requests........................................................................ 135
66J........ Grants of requests........................................................................... 136
Subdivision D—Other provisions 137
66K....... Effect of conversion........................................................................ 137
66L........ Other rights and obligations............................................................ 137
66M...... Disputes about the operation of this Division................................. 137
Division 5—Parental leave and related entitlements 140
Subdivision A—General 140
67.......... General rule—employee must have completed at least 12 months of service 140
68.......... General rule for adoption‑related leave—child must be under 16 etc. 142
69.......... Transfer of employment situations in which employee is entitled to continue on leave etc. 142
Subdivision B—Parental leave 143
70.......... Entitlement to unpaid parental leave................................................ 143
71.......... The period of leave—other than for members of an employee couple who each intend to take leave 143
72.......... The period of leave—members of an employee couple who each intend to take leave 145
72A....... Flexible unpaid parental leave......................................................... 148
73.......... Pregnant employee may be required to take unpaid parental leave within 6 weeks before the birth 150
74.......... Notice and evidence requirements................................................... 152
75.......... Extending period of unpaid parental leave—extending to use more of available parental leave period 155
76.......... Extending period of unpaid parental leave—extending for up to 12 months beyond available parental leave period........................................................................................................ 156
77.......... Reducing period of unpaid parental leave........................................ 158
77A....... Effect of stillbirth or death of child on unpaid parental leave........... 158
78.......... Employee who ceases to have responsibility for care of child......... 160
78A....... Hospitalised children....................................................................... 160
79.......... Interaction with paid leave............................................................... 162
79A....... Keeping in touch days..................................................................... 163
79B....... Unpaid parental leave not extended by paid leave or keeping in touch days 164
Subdivision C—Other entitlements 164
80.......... Unpaid special maternity leave........................................................ 164
81.......... Transfer to a safe job....................................................................... 166
81A....... Paid no safe job leave...................................................................... 166
82.......... Employee on paid no safe job leave may be asked to provide a further medical certificate 167
82A....... Unpaid no safe job leave................................................................. 168
83.......... Consultation with employee on unpaid parental leave..................... 168
84.......... Return to work guarantee................................................................ 168
84A....... Replacement employees.................................................................. 169
85.......... Unpaid pre‑adoption leave.............................................................. 169
Division 6—Annual leave 171
86.......... Division applies to employees other than casual employees............ 171
87.......... Entitlement to annual leave.............................................................. 171
88.......... Taking paid annual leave................................................................. 172
89.......... Employee not taken to be on paid annual leave at certain times....... 173
90.......... Payment for annual leave................................................................ 173
91.......... Transfer of employment situations that affect entitlement to payment for period of untaken paid annual leave 173
92.......... Paid annual leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms 174
93.......... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out and taking paid annual leave........................................................................................................ 174
94.......... Cashing out and taking paid annual leave for award/agreement free employees 175
Division 7—Personal/carer’s leave, compassionate leave and paid family and domestic violence leave 177
Subdivision A—Paid personal/carer’s leave 177
95.......... Subdivision applies to employees other than casual employees...... 177
96.......... Entitlement to paid personal/carer’s leave........................................ 177
97.......... Taking paid personal/carer’s leave.................................................. 177
98.......... Employee taken not to be on paid personal/carer’s leave at certain times 178
99.......... Payment for paid personal/carer’s leave.......................................... 178
100........ Paid personal/carer’s leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms 179
101........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out paid personal/carer’s leave 179
Subdivision B—Unpaid carer’s leave 179
102........ Entitlement to unpaid carer’s leave.................................................. 179
103........ Taking unpaid carer’s leave............................................................. 180
Subdivision C—Compassionate leave 180
104........ Entitlement to compassionate leave................................................. 180
105........ Taking compassionate leave............................................................ 181
106........ Payment for compassionate leave (other than for casual employees) 182
Subdivision CA—Paid family and domestic violence leave 182
106A..... Entitlement to paid family and domestic violence leave................... 182
106B..... Taking paid family and domestic violence leave.............................. 183
106BA.. Payment for paid family and domestic violence leave..................... 184
106C..... Confidentiality................................................................................. 184
106D..... Operation of paid family and domestic violence leave and leave for victims of crime 185
106E...... Entitlement to days of leave............................................................. 185
Subdivision D—Notice and evidence requirements 185
107........ Notice and evidence requirements................................................... 185
Division 8—Community service leave 188
108........ Entitlement to be absent from employment for engaging in eligible community service activity 188
109........ Meaning of eligible community service activity............................... 188
110........ Notice and evidence requirements................................................... 190
111........ Payment to employees (other than casuals) on jury service............. 190
112........ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................................. 192
Division 9—Long service leave 194
113........ Entitlement to long service leave..................................................... 194
113A..... Enterprise agreements may contain terms discounting service under prior agreements etc. in certain circumstances........................................................................................................ 196
Division 10—Public holidays 198
114........ Entitlement to be absent from employment on public holiday......... 198
115........ Meaning of public holiday.............................................................. 199
116........ Payment for absence on public holiday........................................... 200
Division 11—Notice of termination and redundancy pay 201
Subdivision A—Notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice 201
117........ Requirement for notice of termination or payment in lieu................ 201
118........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for notice of termination by employees 202
Subdivision B—Redundancy pay 202
119........ Redundancy pay.............................................................................. 202
120........ Variation of redundancy pay for other employment or incapacity to pay 203
121........ Exclusions from obligation to pay redundancy pay......................... 204
122........ Transfer of employment situations that affect the obligation to pay redundancy pay 205
Subdivision C—Limits on scope of this Division 206
123........ Limits on scope of this Division..................................................... 206
Division 12—Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish statements 208
124........ Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Fair Work Information Statement 208
125........ Giving new employees the Fair Work Information Statement......... 208
125A..... Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Casual Employment Information Statement 209
125B..... Giving new employees the Casual Employment Information Statement.. 210
Division 13—Miscellaneous 211
126........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for school‑based apprentices and trainees to be paid loadings in lieu.................................................................................................. 211
127........ Regulations about what modern awards and enterprise agreements can do 211
128........ Relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements etc. permitted by this Part for award/agreement free employees................................................................................ 212
129........ Regulations about what can be agreed to etc. in relation to award/agreement free employees 212
130........ Restriction on taking or accruing leave or absence while receiving workers’ compensation 212
131........ Relationship with other Commonwealth laws................................. 213
Part 2‑3—Modern awards 214
Division 1—Introduction 214
132........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 214
133........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 215
Division 2—Overarching provisions 216
134........ The modern awards objective.......................................................... 216
135........ Special provisions relating to modern award minimum wages........ 217
Division 3—Terms of modern awards 219
Subdivision A—Preliminary 219
136........ What can be included in modern awards......................................... 219
137........ Terms that contravene section 136 have no effect........................... 220
138........ Achieving the modern awards objective.......................................... 220
Subdivision B—Terms that may be included in modern awards 220
139........ Terms that may be included in modern awards—general................ 220
140........ Outworker terms............................................................................. 221
141........ Industry‑specific redundancy schemes............................................ 222
142........ Incidental and machinery terms....................................................... 223
Subdivision C—Terms that must be included in modern awards 224
143........ Coverage terms of modern awards other than modern enterprise awards and State reference public sector modern awards........................................................................................................ 224
143A..... Coverage terms of modern enterprise awards................................. 226
143B..... Coverage terms of State reference public sector modern awards..... 228
144........ Flexibility terms.............................................................................. 229
145........ Effect of individual flexibility arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term 230
145A..... Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work................. 231
146........ Terms about settling disputes.......................................................... 231
147........ Ordinary hours of work.................................................................. 232
148........ Base and full rates of pay for pieceworkers.................................... 232
149........ Automatic variation of allowances.................................................. 232
149B..... Term requiring avoidance of liability to pay superannuation guarantee charge 233
149C..... Default fund terms.......................................................................... 233
149D..... Default fund term must provide for contributions to be made to certain funds 233
Subdivision D—Terms that must not be included in modern awards 235
150........ Objectionable terms......................................................................... 235
151........ Terms about payments and deductions for benefit of employer etc. 235
152........ Terms about right of entry............................................................... 236
153........ Terms that are discriminatory.......................................................... 236
154........ Terms that contain State‑based differences...................................... 237
155........ Terms dealing with long service leave............................................. 238
Division 4A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms of modern awards 239
Subdivision A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms 239
156A..... 4 yearly reviews of default fund terms............................................ 239
Subdivision B—The first stage of the 4 yearly review 240
156B..... Making the Default Superannuation List......................................... 240
156C..... Applications to list a standard MySuper product............................ 240
156D..... Submissions on applications to list a standard MySuper product... 241
156E...... Determining applications to list a standard MySuper product......... 242
156F...... First stage criteria............................................................................ 242
Subdivision C—Second stage of the 4 yearly review 243
156G..... Review of the default fund term of modern awards........................ 243
156H..... Default fund term must specify certain superannuation funds......... 244
156J...... Variation to comply with section 149D........................................... 245
156K..... Transitional authorisation for certain superannuation funds............ 245
Subdivision D—The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products 245
156L...... The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products.............. 245
156M.... FWC to invite applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule 246
156N..... Making applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule 246
156P...... FWC to determine applications....................................................... 247
156Q..... The first stage test........................................................................... 248
156R..... Submissions about the first stage test.............................................. 248
156S...... The second stage test....................................................................... 249
156T...... Submissions about the second stage test......................................... 249
Subdivision E—Publishing documents under this Division 250
156U..... Publishing documents under this Division...................................... 250
Division 5—Exercising modern award powers 251
Subdivision A—Exercise of powers if necessary to achieve modern awards objective 251
157........ FWC may vary etc. modern awards if necessary to achieve modern awards objective 251
158........ Applications to vary, revoke or make modern award...................... 252
Subdivision B—Other situations 254
159........ Variation of modern award to update or omit name of employer, organisation or outworker entity 254
159A..... Variation of default fund term of modern award............................. 255
160........ Variation of modern award to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error 256
161........ Variation of modern award on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission 257
Division 6—General provisions relating to modern award powers 258
162........ General............................................................................................ 258
163........ Special criteria relating to changing coverage of modern awards.... 258
164........ Special criteria for revoking modern awards................................... 259
165........ When variation determinations come into operation, other than determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages.............................................................................. 259
166........ When variation determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages come into operation 260
167........ Special rules relating to retrospective variations of awards............. 261
168........ Varied modern award must be published........................................ 262
Division 7—Additional provisions relating to modern enterprise awards 263
168A..... Modern enterprise awards............................................................... 263
168B..... The modern enterprise awards objective......................................... 264
168C..... Rules about making and revoking modern enterprise awards......... 264
168D..... Rules about changing coverage of modern enterprise awards......... 266
Division 8—Additional provisions relating to State reference public sector modern awards 267
168E...... State reference public sector modern awards................................... 267
168F...... The State reference public sector modern awards objective............. 267
168G..... Making State reference public sector modern awards on application 268
168H..... State reference public sector modern awards may contain State‑based differences 269
168J...... When State reference public sector modern awards come into operation 269
168K..... Rules about revoking State reference public sector modern awards 270
168L...... Rules about varying coverage of State reference public sector modern awards 271
Part 2‑4—Enterprise agreements 272
Division 1—Introduction 272
169........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 272
170........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 273
171........ Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 273
Division 2—Employers and employees may make enterprise agreements 275
172........ Making an enterprise agreement...................................................... 275
172A..... Special measures to achieve equality............................................... 277
Division 3—Bargaining and representation during bargaining 278
173........ Notice of employee representational rights...................................... 278
174........ Content and form of notice of employee representational rights...... 279
176........ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are not greenfields agreements 281
177........ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are greenfields agreements 283
178........ Appointment of bargaining representatives—other matters............. 283
178A..... Revocation of appointment of bargaining representatives etc.......... 284
178B..... Notified negotiation period for a proposed single‑enterprise agreement that is a greenfields agreement 285
Division 4—Approval of enterprise agreements 287
Subdivision A—Pre‑approval steps and applications for the FWC’s approval 287
179........ Disclosure by organisations that are bargaining representatives...... 287
179A..... Disclosure by employers................................................................. 288
180........ Employees must be given a copy of a proposed enterprise agreement etc. 289
181........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed enterprise agreement 291
182........ When an enterprise agreement is made............................................ 292
183........ Entitlement of an employee organisation to have an enterprise agreement cover it 293
184........ Multi‑enterprise agreement to be varied if not all employees approve the agreement 294
185........ Bargaining representative must apply for the FWC’s approval of an enterprise agreement 295
185A..... Material that must accompany an application under subsection 182(4) for approval of a greenfields agreement 296
Subdivision B—Approval of enterprise agreements by the FWC 296
186........ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—general requirements 296
187........ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—additional requirements 298
188........ When employees have genuinely agreed to an enterprise agreement 300
188A..... Disclosure documents..................................................................... 301
189........ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement that does not pass better off overall test—public interest test 301
190........ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement with undertakings....... 302
191........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 303
192........ When the FWC may refuse to approve an enterprise agreement..... 303
Subdivision C—Better off overall test 304
193........ Passing the better off overall test..................................................... 304
Subdivision D—Unlawful terms 306
194........ Meaning of unlawful term............................................................... 306
195........ Meaning of discriminatory term..................................................... 307
195A..... Meaning of objectionable emergency management term................ 309
Subdivision E—Approval requirements relating to particular kinds of employees 311
196........ Shiftworkers................................................................................... 311
197........ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement includes pieceworker term.... 312
198........ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement does not include a pieceworker term 312
199........ School‑based apprentices and school‑based trainees....................... 313
200........ Outworkers..................................................................................... 314
Subdivision F—Other matters 314
201........ Approval decision to note certain matters........................................ 314
Division 5—Mandatory terms of enterprise agreements 316
202........ Enterprise agreements to include a flexibility term etc..................... 316
203........ Requirements to be met by a flexibility term................................... 317
204........ Effect of arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term 318
205........ Enterprise agreements to include a consultation term etc................. 319
Division 6—Base rate of pay under enterprise agreements 321
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.......................................................................... 321
Division 7—Variation and termination of enterprise agreements 323
Subdivision A—Variation of enterprise agreements by employers and employees 323
207........ Variation of an enterprise agreement may be made by employers and employees 323
208........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed variation of an enterprise agreement 324
209........ When a variation of an enterprise agreement is made...................... 324
210........ Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of an enterprise agreement 325
211........ When the FWC must approve a variation of an enterprise agreement 325
212........ FWC may approve a variation of an enterprise agreement with undertakings 328
213........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 328
214........ When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of an enterprise agreement 329
215........ Approval decision to note undertakings.......................................... 329
216........ When variation comes into operation.............................................. 330
Subdivision B—Variations of enterprise agreements where there is ambiguity, uncertainty or discrimination 330
217........ Variation of an enterprise agreement to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty 330
217A..... FWC may deal with certain disputes about variations..................... 330
218........ Variation of an enterprise agreement on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission 331
Subdivision BA—Variation of enterprise agreements to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities 332
218A..... Variation of enterprise agreements to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities 332
Subdivision C—Termination of enterprise agreements by employers and employees 332
219........ Employers and employees may agree to terminate an enterprise agreement 332
220........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed termination of an enterprise agreement 333
221........ When termination of an enterprise agreement is agreed to............... 333
222........ Application for the FWC’s approval of a termination of an enterprise agreement 334
223........ When the FWC must approve a termination of an enterprise agreement.. 334
224........ When termination comes into operation.......................................... 335
Subdivision D—Termination of enterprise agreements after nominal expiry date 335
225........ Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date 335
226........ Terminating an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date.. 336
226A..... Guarantee of termination entitlements............................................. 337
227........ When termination comes into operation.......................................... 340
Division 8—FWC’s general role in facilitating bargaining 341
Subdivision A—Bargaining orders 341
228........ Bargaining representatives must meet the good faith bargaining requirements 341
229........ Applications for bargaining orders.................................................. 342
230........ When the FWC may make a bargaining order................................. 343
231........ What a bargaining order must specify............................................. 345
232........ Operation of a bargaining order...................................................... 346
233........ Contravening a bargaining order..................................................... 346
Subdivision B—Serious breach declarations 347
234........ Applications for serious breach declarations................................... 347
235........ When the FWC may make a serious breach declaration.................. 347
Subdivision C—Majority support determinations and scope orders 349
236........ Majority support determinations..................................................... 349
237........ When the FWC must make a majority support determination......... 349
238........ Scope orders................................................................................... 350
239........ Operation of a scope order.............................................................. 352
Subdivision D—FWC may deal with a bargaining dispute on request 353
240........ Application for the FWC to deal with a bargaining dispute............. 353
Division 9—Low‑paid bargaining 355
241........ Objects of this Division.................................................................. 355
242........ Low‑paid authorisations.................................................................. 355
243........ When the FWC must make a low‑paid authorisation...................... 356
244........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations—general................................ 358
245........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations—enterprise agreement etc. comes into operation 359
246........ FWC’s assistance for the low‑paid................................................. 359
Division 10—Single interest employer authorisations 361
Subdivision A—Declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement 361
247........ Ministerial declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement 361
Subdivision B—Single interest employer authorisations 362
248........ Single interest employer authorisations........................................... 362
249........ When the FWC must make a single interest employer authorisation 362
250........ What a single interest employer authorisation must specify............ 364
251........ Variation of single interest employer authorisations........................ 364
252........ Variation to extend period single interest employer authorisation is in operation 365
Division 11—Other matters 366
253........ Terms of an enterprise agreement that are of no effect.................... 366
254........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 366
254A..... Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions.................... 367
255........ Part does not empower the FWC to make certain orders................. 367
255A..... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................................. 368
256........ Prospective employers and employees............................................ 369
256A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described 369
257........ Enterprise agreements may incorporate material in force from time to time etc. 369
Part 2‑5—Workplace determinations 370
Division 1—Introduction 370
258........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 370
259........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 371
Division 2—Low‑paid workplace determinations 372
260........ Applications for low‑paid workplace determinations...................... 372
261........ When the FWC must make a consent low‑paid workplace determination 373
262........ When the FWC must make a special low‑paid workplace determination—general requirements 374
263........ When the FWC must make a special low‑paid workplace determination—additional requirements 375
264........ Terms etc. of a low‑paid workplace determination.......................... 376
265........ No other terms................................................................................ 376
Division 3—Industrial action related workplace determinations 377
266........ When the FWC must make an industrial action related workplace determination 377
267........ Terms etc. of an industrial action related workplace determination.. 378
268........ No other terms................................................................................ 379
Division 4—Bargaining related workplace determinations 380
269........ When the FWC must make a bargaining related workplace determination 380
270........ Terms etc. of a bargaining related workplace determination............ 381
271........ No other terms................................................................................ 383
271A..... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................................. 383
Division 5—Core terms, mandatory terms and agreed terms of workplace determinations etc. 384
272........ Core terms of workplace determinations......................................... 384
273........ Mandatory terms of workplace determinations............................... 385
274........ Agreed terms for workplace determinations.................................... 386
275........ Factors the FWC must take into account in deciding terms of a workplace determination 387
Division 6—Operation, coverage and interaction etc. of workplace determinations 388
276........ When a workplace determination operates etc................................. 388
277........ Employers, employees and employee organisations covered by a workplace determination 388
278........ Interaction of a workplace determination with enterprise agreements etc. 389
279........ Act applies to a workplace determination as if it were an enterprise agreement 390
Division 7—Other matters 392
280........ Contravening a workplace determination........................................ 392
281........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 392
281AA.. Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions.................... 392
281A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described 393
Part 2‑6—Minimum wages 394
Division 1—Introduction 394
282........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 394
283........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 395
Division 2—Overarching provisions 396
284........ The minimum wages objective........................................................ 396
Division 3—Annual wage reviews 398
Subdivision A—Main provisions 398
285........ Annual wage reviews to be conducted............................................ 398
286........ When annual wage review determinations varying modern awards come into operation 398
287........ When national minimum wage orders come into operation etc........ 399
Subdivision B—Provisions about conduct of annual wage reviews 401
288........ General............................................................................................ 401
289........ Everyone to have a reasonable opportunity to make and comment on submissions 401
290........ President may direct investigations and reports............................... 402
291........ Research must be published............................................................ 403
292........ Varied wage rates must be published.............................................. 403
Division 4—National minimum wage orders 404
293........ Contravening a national minimum wage order................................ 404
294........ Content of national minimum wage order—main provisions.......... 404
295........ Content of national minimum wage order—other matters............... 405
296........ Variation of national minimum wage order to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error 406
297........ When determinations varying national minimum wage orders come into operation 406
298........ Special rule about retrospective variations of national minimum wage orders 407
299........ When a national minimum wage order is in operation..................... 408
Part 2‑7—Equal remuneration 409
Division 1—Introduction 409
300........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 409
301........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 409
Division 2—Equal remuneration orders 410
302........ FWC may make an order requiring equal remuneration.................. 410
303........ Equal remuneration order may increase, but must not reduce, rates of remuneration 412
304........ Equal remuneration order may implement equal remuneration in stages.. 412
305........ Contravening an equal remuneration order...................................... 412
306........ Inconsistency with modern awards, enterprise agreements and orders of the FWC 412
Part 2‑8—Transfer of business 413
Division 1—Introduction 413
307........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 413
308........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 413
309........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 414
Division 2—Transfer of instruments 415
310........ Application of this Division............................................................ 415
311........ When does a transfer of business occur.......................................... 415
312........ Instruments that may transfer.......................................................... 417
313........ Transferring employees and new employer covered by transferable instrument 417
314........ New non‑transferring employees of new employer may be covered by transferable instrument 418
315........ Organisations covered by transferable instrument........................... 419
316........ Transferring employees who are high income employees............... 420
Division 3—Powers of the FWC 422
317........ FWC may make orders in relation to a transfer of business............ 422
318........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and transferring employees 422
319........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and non‑transferring employees 424
320........ Variation of transferable instruments.............................................. 426
Part 2‑9—Other terms and conditions of employment 428
Division 1—Introduction 428
321........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 428
322........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 428
Division 2—Payment of wages etc. 429
323........ Method and frequency of payment.................................................. 429
324........ Permitted deductions....................................................................... 430
325........ Unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amount....................... 430
326........ Certain terms have no effect............................................................ 431
327........ Things given or provided, and amounts required to be spent or paid, in contravention of this Division 432
Division 3—Guarantee of annual earnings 433
328........ Employer obligations in relation to guarantee of annual earnings.... 433
329........ High income employee.................................................................... 434
330........ Guarantee of annual earnings and annual rate of guarantee............. 435
331........ Guaranteed period........................................................................... 436
332........ Earnings.......................................................................................... 436
333........ High income threshold.................................................................... 437
333A..... Prospective employees.................................................................... 438
Division 4—Prohibiting pay secrecy 439
333B..... Employees not subject to pay secrecy............................................. 439
333C..... Pay secrecy terms to have no effect................................................. 440
333D..... Prohibition on pay secrecy terms.................................................... 440
Chapter 3—Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc. 441
Part 3‑1—General protections 441
Division 1—Introduction 441
334........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 441
335........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 441
336........ Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 442
Division 2—Application of this Part 443
337........ Application of this Part................................................................... 443
338........ Action to which this Part applies..................................................... 443
339........ Additional effect of this Part........................................................... 444
Division 3—Workplace rights 446
340........ Protection........................................................................................ 446
341........ Meaning of workplace right............................................................ 446
342........ Meaning of adverse action.............................................................. 448
343........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 451
344........ Undue influence or pressure........................................................... 451
345........ Misrepresentations.......................................................................... 452
Division 4—Industrial activities 453
346........ Protection........................................................................................ 453
347........ Meaning of engages in industrial activity....................................... 453
348........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 454
349........ Misrepresentations.......................................................................... 454
350........ Inducements—membership action.................................................. 455
Division 5—Other protections 456
351........ Discrimination................................................................................. 456
352........ Temporary absence—illness or injury............................................. 457
353........ Bargaining services fees.................................................................. 457
354........ Coverage by particular instruments................................................. 458
355........ Coercion—allocation of duties etc. to particular person.................. 458
356........ Objectionable terms......................................................................... 459
Division 6—Sham arrangements 460
357........ Misrepresenting employment as independent contracting arrangement 460
358........ Dismissing to engage as independent contractor............................. 460
359........ Misrepresentation to engage as independent contractor................... 460
Division 7—Ancillary rules 462
360........ Multiple reasons for action.............................................................. 462
361........ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise............ 462
362........ Advising, encouraging, inciting or coercing action......................... 462
363........ Actions of industrial associations.................................................... 462
364........ Unincorporated industrial associations............................................ 464
Division 8—Compliance 465
Subdivision A—Contraventions involving dismissal 465
365........ Application for the FWC to deal with a dismissal dispute............... 465
366........ Time for application........................................................................ 465
367........ Application fees.............................................................................. 465
368........ Dealing with a dismissal dispute (other than by arbitration)............ 466
369........ Dealing with a dismissal dispute by arbitration............................... 467
370........ Taking a dismissal dispute to court................................................. 468
Subdivision B—Other contraventions 468
372........ Application for the FWC to deal with a non‑dismissal dispute....... 468
373........ Application fees.............................................................................. 469
374........ Conferences.................................................................................... 469
375........ Advice on general protections court application.............................. 469
Subdivision C—Appeals and costs orders 470
375A..... Appeal rights................................................................................... 470
375B..... Costs orders against parties............................................................. 470
376........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 470
377........ Applications for costs orders.......................................................... 471
377A..... Schedule of costs............................................................................ 471
378........ Contravening costs orders............................................................... 472
Part 3‑2—Unfair dismissal 473
Division 1—Introduction 473
379........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 473
380........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 473
381........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 473
Division 2—Protection from unfair dismissal 475
382........ When a person is protected from unfair dismissal........................... 475
383........ Meaning of minimum employment period...................................... 475
384........ Period of employment..................................................................... 475
Division 3—What is an unfair dismissal 477
385........ What is an unfair dismissal............................................................. 477
386........ Meaning of dismissed..................................................................... 477
387........ Criteria for considering harshness etc............................................. 478
388........ The Small Business Fair Dismissal Code....................................... 479
389........ Meaning of genuine redundancy..................................................... 479
Division 4—Remedies for unfair dismissal 480
390........ When the FWC may order remedy for unfair dismissal.................. 480
391........ Remedy—reinstatement etc............................................................. 480
392........ Remedy—compensation................................................................. 482
393........ Monetary orders may be in instalments........................................... 483
Division 5—Procedural matters 484
394........ Application for unfair dismissal remedy......................................... 484
395........ Application fees.............................................................................. 484
396........ Initial matters to be considered before merits.................................. 485
397........ Matters involving contested facts.................................................... 485
398........ Conferences.................................................................................... 485
399........ Hearings.......................................................................................... 486
399A..... Dismissing applications.................................................................. 486
400........ Appeal rights................................................................................... 487
400A..... Costs orders against parties............................................................. 487
401........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 487
402........ Applications for costs orders.......................................................... 488
403........ Schedule of costs............................................................................ 488
404........ Security for costs............................................................................ 489
405........ Contravening orders under this Part................................................ 489
Part 3‑3—Industrial action 490
Division 1—Introduction 490
406........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 490
407........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 491
Division 2—Protected industrial action 492
Subdivision A—What is protected industrial action 492
408........ Protected industrial action............................................................... 492
409........ Employee claim action..................................................................... 492
410........ Employee response action............................................................... 494
411........ Employer response action............................................................... 494
412........ Pattern bargaining........................................................................... 495
Subdivision B—Common requirements for industrial action to be protected industrial action 496
413........ Common requirements that apply for industrial action to be protected industrial action 496
414........ Notice requirements for industrial action......................................... 498
Subdivision C—Significance of industrial action being protected industrial action 499
415........ Immunity provision......................................................................... 499
416........ Employer response action—employer may refuse to make payments to employees 499
416A..... Employer response action does not affect continuity of employment 499
Division 3—No industrial action before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc. 501
417........ Industrial action must not be organised or engaged in before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc. 501
Division 4—FWC orders stopping etc. industrial action 503
418........ FWC must order that industrial action by employees or employers stop etc. 503
419........ FWC must order that industrial action by non‑national system employees or non‑national system employers stop etc......................................................................................................... 504
420........ Interim orders etc............................................................................ 505
421........ Contravening an order etc............................................................... 505
Division 5—Injunction against industrial action if pattern bargaining is being engaged in 507
422........ Injunction against industrial action if a bargaining representative is engaging in pattern bargaining 507
Division 6—Suspension or termination of protected industrial action by the FWC 508
423........ FWC may suspend or terminate protected industrial action—significant economic harm etc. 508
424........ FWC must suspend or terminate protected industrial action—endangering life etc. 510
425........ FWC must suspend protected industrial action—cooling off.......... 511
426........ FWC must suspend protected industrial action—significant harm to a third party 512
427........ FWC must specify the period of suspension................................... 513
428........ Extension of a period of suspension............................................... 514
429........ Employee claim action without a further protected action ballot after a period of suspension etc. 514
430........ Notice of employee claim action engaged in after a period of suspension etc. 515
Division 7—Ministerial declarations 517
431........ Ministerial declaration terminating industrial action........................ 517
432........ Informing people of declaration...................................................... 517
433........ Ministerial directions to remove or reduce threat............................. 518
434........ Contravening a Ministerial direction............................................... 518
Division 8—Protected action ballots 519
Subdivision A—Introduction 519
435........ Guide to this Division..................................................................... 519
436........ Object of this Division.................................................................... 519
Subdivision B—Protected action ballot orders 520
437........ Application for a protected action ballot order................................. 520
438........ Restriction on when application may be made................................. 521
439........ Joint applications............................................................................. 521
440........ Notice of application....................................................................... 522
441........ Application to be determined within 2 days after it is made............ 522
442........ Dealing with multiple applications together..................................... 522
443........ When the FWC must make a protected action ballot order.............. 523
444........ FWC may decide on ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission and independent advisor 524
445........ Notice of protected action ballot order............................................. 525
446........ Protected action ballot order may require 2 or more protected action ballots to be held at the same time 525
447........ Variation of protected action ballot order........................................ 526
448........ Revocation of protected action ballot order..................................... 526
Subdivision C—Conduct of protected action ballot 526
449........ Protected action ballot to be conducted by Australian Electoral Commission or other specified ballot agent 526
450........ Directions for conduct of protected action ballot............................. 527
451........ Timetable for protected action ballot................................................ 528
452........ Compilation of roll of voters........................................................... 529
453........ Who is eligible to be included on the roll of voters......................... 529
454........ Variation of roll of voters................................................................ 530
455........ Protected action ballot papers.......................................................... 532
456........ Who may vote in protected action ballot.......................................... 532
457........ Results of protected action ballot..................................................... 532
458........ Report about conduct of protected action ballot............................... 532
Subdivision D—Effect of protected action ballot 534
459........ Circumstances in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot 534
460........ Immunity for persons who act in good faith on protected action ballot results 535
461........ Validity of protected action ballot etc. not affected by technical breaches 536
Subdivision E—Compliance 537
462........ Interferences etc. with protected action ballot.................................. 537
463........ Contravening a protected action ballot order etc.............................. 539
Subdivision F—Liability for costs of protected action ballot 539
464........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission 539
465........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by protected action ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission.................................................................................... 540
466........ Costs of legal challenges................................................................. 540
Subdivision G—Miscellaneous 541
467........ Information about employees on roll of voters not to be disclosed. 541
468........ Records........................................................................................... 542
469........ Regulations..................................................................................... 542
Division 9—Payments relating to periods of industrial action 543
Subdivision A—Protected industrial action 543
470........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action 543
471........ Payments relating to partial work bans............................................ 544
472........ Orders by the FWC relating to certain partial work bans................ 546
473........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action 547
Subdivision B—Industrial action that is not protected industrial action 548
474........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action 548
475........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action 549
Subdivision C—Miscellaneous 550
476........ Other responses to industrial action unaffected............................... 550
Division 10—Other matters 551
477........ Applications by bargaining representatives..................................... 551
Part 3‑4—Right of entry 552
Division 1—Introduction 552
478........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 552
479........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 552
480........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 553
Division 2—Entry rights under this Act 554
Subdivision A—Entry to investigate suspected contravention 554
481........ Entry to investigate suspected contravention................................... 554
482........ Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................. 555
483........ Later access to record or document................................................. 556
483AA.. Application to the FWC for access to non‑member records............ 557
Subdivision AA—Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF award workers 558
483A..... Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF award workers 558
483B..... Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................. 560
483C..... Later access to record or document................................................. 561
483D..... Entry onto other premises to access records and documents........... 562
483E...... Later access to record or document—other premises...................... 563
Subdivision B—Entry to hold discussions 564
484........ Entry to hold discussions................................................................ 564
Subdivision C—Requirements for permit holders 565
486........ Permit holder must not contravene this Subdivision....................... 565
487........ Giving entry notice or exemption certificate.................................... 565
488........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................. 566
489........ Producing authority documents....................................................... 566
490........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 567
491........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................... 567
492........ Location of interviews and discussions........................................... 567
492A..... Route to location of interview and discussions............................... 568
493........ Residential premises........................................................................ 568
Division 3—State or Territory OHS rights 569
494........ Official must be permit holder to exercise State or Territory OHS right.. 569
495........ Giving notice of entry..................................................................... 570
496........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................. 571
497........ Producing entry permit.................................................................... 571
498........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 571
499........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................... 571
Division 4—Prohibitions 573
500........ Permit holder must not hinder or obstruct....................................... 573
501........ Person must not refuse or delay entry............................................. 573
502........ Person must not hinder or obstruct permit holder........................... 573
503........ Misrepresentations about things authorised by this Part................. 574
504........ Unauthorised use or disclosure of information or documents......... 574
Division 5—Powers of the FWC 576
Subdivision A—Dealing with disputes 576
505........ FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part........ 576
505A..... FWC may deal with a dispute about frequency of entry to hold discussions 578
506........ Contravening order made to deal with dispute................................ 579
Subdivision B—Taking action against permit holder 579
507........ FWC may take action against permit holder.................................... 579
Subdivision C—Restricting rights of organisations and officials where misuse of rights 580
508........ FWC may restrict rights if organisation or official has misused rights 580
509........ Contravening order made for misuse of rights................................ 581
Subdivision D—When the FWC must revoke or suspend entry permits 581
510........ When the FWC must revoke or suspend entry permits................... 581
Subdivision E—General rules for suspending entry permits 583
511........ General rules for suspending entry permits..................................... 583
Division 6—Entry permits, entry notices and certificates 584
Subdivision A—Entry permits 584
512........ FWC may issue entry permits......................................................... 584
513........ Considering application................................................................... 584
514........ When the FWC must not issue permit............................................. 585
515........ Conditions on entry permit.............................................................. 585
516........ Expiry of entry permit..................................................................... 586
517........ Return of entry permits to the FWC................................................ 587
Subdivision B—Entry notices 587
518........ Entry notice requirements................................................................ 587
Subdivision C—Exemption certificates 589
519........ Exemption certificates..................................................................... 589
Subdivision D—Affected member certificates 590
520........ Affected member certificates........................................................... 590
Subdivision E—Miscellaneous 590
521........ Regulations dealing with instruments under this Part...................... 590
Division 7—Accommodation and transport arrangements in remote areas 592
521A..... Meaning of accommodation arrangement...................................... 592
521B..... Meaning of transport arrangement................................................ 592
521C..... Accommodation arrangements for remote areas.............................. 593
521D..... Transport arrangements for remote areas........................................ 594
Part 3‑5—Stand down 596
Division 1—Introduction 596
522........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 596
523........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 596
Division 2—Circumstances allowing stand down 597
524........ Employer may stand down employees in certain circumstances...... 597
525........ Employee not stood down during a period of authorised leave or absence 598
Division 3—Dealing with disputes 599
526........ FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part........ 599
527........ Contravening an FWC order dealing with a dispute about the operation of this Part 599
Part 3‑5A—Prohibiting sexual harassment in connection with work 600
Division 1—Introduction 600
527A..... Guide to this Part............................................................................ 600
527B..... Meaning of employee and employer............................................... 600
527C..... Object of this Part........................................................................... 600
527CA.. Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws............................ 601
Division 2—Prohibiting sexual harassment in connection with work 603
527D..... Prohibiting sexual harassment in connection with work................. 603
527E...... Vicarious liability etc....................................................................... 604
Division 3—Dealing with sexual harassment disputes 605
Subdivision A—Applying for the FWC to deal with sexual harassment disputes 605
527F...... Application for the FWC to deal with a sexual harassment dispute. 605
527G..... Time for application........................................................................ 606
527H..... Application fees.............................................................................. 607
Subdivision B—Stop sexual harassment orders 607
527J...... Stop sexual harassment orders.......................