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Fair Work Act 2009

Authoritative Version
  • - C2023C00097
  • In force - Superseded Version
  • View Series
Act No. 28 of 2009 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022
An Act relating to workplace relations, and for related purposes
Administered by: Attorney-General's; Employment and Workplace Relations
Registered 06 Jun 2023
Start Date 06 Jun 2023
End Date 30 Jun 2023

Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia

Fair Work Act 2009

No. 28, 2009

Compilation No. 50

Compilation date:                              6 June 2023

Includes amendments up to:            Act No. 4, 2023

Registered:                                         6 June 2023

This compilation is in 2 volumes

Volume 1:       sections 1–536H

Volume 2:       sections 537–800

                        Schedules

                        Endnotes

Each volume has its own contents

This compilation includes commenced amendments made by Act No. 79, 2022

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Fair Work Act 2009 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 6 June 2023 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

  

  

  


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.    50

13.......................... Meaning of national system employee.............................. 50

14.......................... Meaning of national system employer.............................. 50

14A....................... Transitional matters relating to employers etc. becoming, or ceasing to be, national system employers etc........................................................................................... 52

15.......................... Ordinary meanings of employee and employer................. 53

15A....................... Meaning of casual employee............................................ 53

Division 4—Other definitions                                                                                 55

16.......................... Meaning of base rate of pay............................................. 55

17.......................... Meaning of child of a person............................................ 56

17A....................... Meaning of directly and indirectly (in relation to TCF work).. 56

18.......................... Meaning of full rate of pay............................................... 57

19.......................... Meaning of industrial action............................................ 58

20.......................... Meaning of ordinary hours of work for award/agreement free employees              59

21.......................... Meaning of pieceworker................................................... 60

22.......................... Meanings of service and continuous service..................... 61

23.......................... Meaning of small business employer............................... 64

23A....................... Terms relating to superannuation...................................... 65

23B........................ Meaning of general building and construction work......... 66

Part 1‑3—Application of this Act                                                                               68

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                          68

24.......................... Guide to this Part.............................................................. 68

25.......................... Meanings of employee and employer................................ 68

Division 2—Interaction with State and Territory laws                            69

26.......................... Act excludes State or Territory industrial laws................. 69

27.......................... State and Territory laws that are not excluded by section 26 71

28.......................... Act excludes prescribed State and Territory laws............. 72

29.......................... Interaction of modern awards and enterprise agreements with State and Territory laws          73

30.......................... Act may exclude State and Territory laws etc. in other cases 73

Division 2A—Application of this Act in States that refer matters before 1 July 2009  74

30A....................... Meaning of terms used in this Division............................ 74

30B........................ Meaning of referring State............................................... 79

30C........................ Extended meaning of national system employee............... 82

30D....................... Extended meaning of national system employer............... 82

30E........................ Extended ordinary meanings of employee and employer.. 83

30F........................ Extended meaning of outworker entity.............................. 83

30G....................... General protections........................................................... 84

30H....................... Division only has effect if supported by reference............ 84

Division 2B—Application of this Act in States that refer matters after 1 July 2009 but on or before 1 January 2010                                                                                    85

30K........................ Meaning of terms used in this Division............................ 85

30L........................ Meaning of referring State............................................... 90

30M....................... Extended meaning of national system employee............... 93

30N....................... Extended meaning of national system employer............... 93

30P........................ Extended ordinary meanings of employee and employer.. 94

30Q....................... Extended meaning of outworker entity.............................. 94

30R........................ General protections........................................................... 95

30S........................ Division only has effect if supported by reference............ 95

Division 3—Geographical application of this Act                                       96

31.......................... Exclusion of persons etc. insufficiently connected with Australia            96

32.......................... Regulations may modify application of this Act in certain parts of Australia           96

32A....................... Rules may modify application of this Act in Norfolk Island 97

33.......................... Extension of this Act to the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf       98

34.......................... Extension of this Act beyond the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf              99

35.......................... Meanings of Australian employer and Australian‑based employee         101

35A....................... Regulations excluding application of Act........................ 102

36.......................... Geographical application of offences.............................. 102

Division 4—Miscellaneous                                                                                     103

37.......................... Act binds Crown............................................................ 103

38.......................... Act not to apply so as to exceed Commonwealth power. 103

39.......................... Acquisition of property................................................... 104

40.......................... Interaction between fair work instruments and public sector employment laws       104

40A....................... Application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.............. 105

Chapter 2—Terms and conditions of employment                106

Part 2‑1—Core provisions for this Chapter                                                      106

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        106

41.......................... Guide to this Part............................................................ 106

42.......................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 107

Division 2—Core provisions for this Chapter                                             108

Subdivision A—Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act            108

43.......................... Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act                108

Subdivision B—Terms and conditions of employment provided by the National Employment Standards            109

44.......................... Contravening the National Employment Standards......... 109

Subdivision C—Terms and conditions of employment provided by a modern award 109

45.......................... Contravening a modern award........................................ 109

46.......................... The significance of a modern award applying to a person 109

47.......................... When a modern award applies to an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity   110

48.......................... When a modern award covers an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity        111

49.......................... When a modern award is in operation............................. 112

Subdivision D—Terms and conditions of employment provided by an enterprise agreement  113

50.......................... Contravening an enterprise agreement............................ 113

51.......................... The significance of an enterprise agreement applying to a person            113

52.......................... When an enterprise agreement applies to an employer, employee or employee organisation   113

53.......................... When an enterprise agreement covers an employer, employee or employee organisation        114

54.......................... When an enterprise agreement is in operation................. 115

Division 3—Interaction between the National Employment Standards, modern awards and enterprise agreements                                                                                           117

Subdivision A—Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or an enterprise agreement                                                                                   117

55.......................... Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or enterprise agreement  117

56.......................... Terms of a modern award or enterprise agreement contravening section 55 have no effect     119

Subdivision B—Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements         120

57.......................... Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements               120

57A....................... Designated outworker terms of a modern award continue to apply          120

Subdivision C—Interaction between one or more enterprise agreements 121

58.......................... Only one enterprise agreement can apply to an employee 121

Part 2‑2—The National Employment Standards                                           123

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        123

59.......................... Guide to this Part............................................................ 123

60.......................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 124

Division 2—The National Employment Standards                                   125

61.......................... The National Employment Standards are minimum standards applying to employment of employees    125

Division 3—Maximum weekly hours                                                                126

62.......................... Maximum weekly hours................................................. 126

63.......................... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for averaging of hours of work        127

64.......................... Averaging of hours of work for award/agreement free employees          128

Division 4—Requests for flexible working arrangements                    129

65.......................... Requests for flexible working arrangements................... 129

65A....................... Responding to requests for flexible working arrangements 130

65B........................ Disputes about the operation of this Division................. 133

65C........................ Arbitration...................................................................... 134

66.......................... State and Territory laws that are not excluded................. 136

Division 4A—Offers and requests for casual conversion                     137

Subdivision A—Application of Division                                                           137

66A....................... Division applies to casual employees etc........................ 137

Subdivision B—Employer offers for casual conversion                             137

66AA.................... Subdivision does not apply to small business employers 137

66B........................ Employer offers.............................................................. 137

66C........................ When employer offers not required................................ 138

66D....................... Employee must give a response...................................... 140

66E........................ Acceptances of offers..................................................... 140

Subdivision C—Residual right to request casual conversion                      140

66F........................ Employee requests.......................................................... 140

66G....................... Employer must give a response...................................... 142

66H....................... Refusals of requests........................................................ 142

66J......................... Grants of requests........................................................... 143

Subdivision D—Other provisions                                                                       144

66K........................ Effect of conversion........................................................ 144

66L........................ Other rights and obligations............................................ 144

66M....................... Disputes about the operation of this Division................. 144

Division 5—Parental leave and related entitlements                               147

Subdivision A—General                                                                                       147

67.......................... General rule—employee must have completed at least 12 months of service           147

68.......................... General rule for adoption‑related leave—child must be under 16 etc.      149

69.......................... Transfer of employment situations in which employee is entitled to continue on leave etc.      149

Subdivision B—Parental leave                                                                           150

70.......................... Entitlement to unpaid parental leave................................ 150

71.......................... The period of leave—other than for members of an employee couple who each intend to take leave       150

72.......................... The period of leave—members of an employee couple who each intend to take leave             152

72A....................... Flexible unpaid parental leave......................................... 155

73.......................... Pregnant employee may be required to take unpaid parental leave within 6 weeks before the birth         157

74.......................... Notice and evidence requirements................................... 159

75.......................... Extending period of unpaid parental leave—extending to use more of available parental leave period     162

76.......................... Extending period of unpaid parental leave—extending for up to 12 months beyond available parental leave period.............................................................................. 163

76A....................... Responding to requests for extension of unpaid parental leave                165

76B........................ Disputes about extension of period of unpaid parental leave 167

76C........................ Arbitration...................................................................... 169

77.......................... Reducing period of unpaid parental leave....................... 170

77A....................... Effect of stillbirth or death of child on unpaid parental leave 171

78.......................... Employee who ceases to have responsibility for care of child  172

78A....................... Hospitalised children...................................................... 173

79.......................... Interaction with paid leave.............................................. 175

79A....................... Keeping in touch days..................................................... 175

79B........................ Unpaid parental leave not extended by paid leave or keeping in touch days             177

Subdivision C—Other entitlements                                                                    177

80.......................... Unpaid special maternity leave........................................ 177

81.......................... Transfer to a safe job...................................................... 178

81A....................... Paid no safe job leave..................................................... 179

82.......................... Employee on paid no safe job leave may be asked to provide a further medical certificate       179

82A....................... Unpaid no safe job leave................................................. 180

83.......................... Consultation with employee on unpaid parental leave..... 181

84.......................... Return to work guarantee................................................ 181

84A....................... Replacement employees.................................................. 181

85.......................... Unpaid pre‑adoption leave.............................................. 182

Division 6—Annual leave                                                                                       184

86.......................... Division applies to employees other than casual employees 184

87.......................... Entitlement to annual leave.............................................. 184

88.......................... Taking paid annual leave................................................. 185

89.......................... Employee not taken to be on paid annual leave at certain times                186

90.......................... Payment for annual leave................................................ 186

91.......................... Transfer of employment situations that affect entitlement to payment for period of untaken paid annual leave........................................................................................ 186

92.......................... Paid annual leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms           187

93.......................... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out and taking paid annual leave................................................................................ 187

94.......................... Cashing out and taking paid annual leave for award/agreement free employees       188

Division 7—Personal/carer’s leave, compassionate leave and paid family and domestic violence leave                                                                                                                    190

Subdivision A—Paid personal/carer’s leave                                                   190

95.......................... Subdivision applies to employees other than casual employees               190

96.......................... Entitlement to paid personal/carer’s leave....................... 190

97.......................... Taking paid personal/carer’s leave.................................. 190

98.......................... Employee taken not to be on paid personal/carer’s leave at certain times 191

99.......................... Payment for paid personal/carer’s leave.......................... 191

100........................ Paid personal/carer’s leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms........................................................................................ 192

101........................ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out paid personal/carer’s leave................................................................................ 192

Subdivision B—Unpaid carer’s leave                                                               192

102........................ Entitlement to unpaid carer’s leave.................................. 192

103........................ Taking unpaid carer’s leave............................................ 193

Subdivision C—Compassionate leave                                                               193

104........................ Entitlement to compassionate leave................................. 193

105........................ Taking compassionate leave............................................ 194

106........................ Payment for compassionate leave (other than for casual employees)       195

Subdivision CA—Paid family and domestic violence leave                        195

106A..................... Entitlement to paid family and domestic violence leave... 195

106B...................... Taking paid family and domestic violence leave............. 196

106BA................... Payment for paid family and domestic violence leave..... 197

106C...................... Confidentiality................................................................ 197

106D..................... Operation of paid family and domestic violence leave and leave for victims of crime              198

106E...................... Entitlement to days of leave............................................ 198

Subdivision D—Notice and evidence requirements                                       198

107........................ Notice and evidence requirements................................... 198

Division 8—Community service leave                                                             201

108........................ Entitlement to be absent from employment for engaging in eligible community service activity              201

109........................ Meaning of eligible community service activity............... 201

110........................ Notice and evidence requirements................................... 203

111........................ Payment to employees (other than casuals) on jury service 203

112........................ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................. 205

Division 9—Long service leave                                                                           207

113........................ Entitlement to long service leave..................................... 207

113A..................... Enterprise agreements may contain terms discounting service under prior agreements etc. in certain circumstances.................................................................. 209

Division 10—Public holidays                                                                                211

114........................ Entitlement to be absent from employment on public holiday  211

115........................ Meaning of public holiday.............................................. 212

116........................ Payment for absence on public holiday........................... 213

Division 11—Notice of termination and redundancy pay                     214

Subdivision A—Notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice         214

117........................ Requirement for notice of termination or payment in lieu 214

118........................ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for notice of termination by employees            215

Subdivision B—Redundancy pay                                                                       215

119........................ Redundancy pay............................................................. 215

120........................ Variation of redundancy pay for other employment or incapacity to pay 216

121........................ Exclusions from obligation to pay redundancy pay........ 217

122........................ Transfer of employment situations that affect the obligation to pay redundancy pay                218

Subdivision C—Limits on scope of this Division                                            219

123........................ Limits on scope of this Division..................................... 219

Division 12—Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish statements           221

124........................ Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Fair Work Information Statement  221

125........................ Giving new employees the Fair Work Information Statement  221

125A..................... Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Casual Employment Information Statement   222

125B...................... Giving new employees the Casual Employment Information Statement  223

Division 13—Miscellaneous                                                                                   224

126........................ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for school‑based apprentices and trainees to be paid loadings in lieu................................................................ 224

127........................ Regulations about what modern awards and enterprise agreements can do              224

128........................ Relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements etc. permitted by this Part for award/agreement free employees.................................... 225

129........................ Regulations about what can be agreed to etc. in relation to award/agreement free employees  225

130........................ Restriction on taking or accruing leave or absence while receiving workers’ compensation    225

131........................ Relationship with other Commonwealth laws................. 226

Part 2‑3—Modern awards                                                                                            227

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        227

132........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 227

133........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 228

Division 2—Overarching provisions                                                                229

134........................ The modern awards objective......................................... 229

135........................ Special provisions relating to modern award minimum wages 230

Division 3—Terms of modern awards                                                             232

Subdivision A—Preliminary                                                                               232

136........................ What can be included in modern awards......................... 232

137........................ Terms that contravene section 136 have no effect........... 233

138........................ Achieving the modern awards objective......................... 233

Subdivision B—Terms that may be included in modern awards               233

139........................ Terms that may be included in modern awards—general 233

140........................ Outworker terms............................................................. 234

141........................ Industry‑specific redundancy schemes........................... 235

142........................ Incidental and machinery terms....................................... 236

Subdivision C—Terms that must be included in modern awards              237

143........................ Coverage terms of modern awards other than modern enterprise awards and State reference public sector modern awards............................................................... 237

143A..................... Coverage terms of modern enterprise awards................. 239

143B...................... Coverage terms of State reference public sector modern awards              241

144........................ Flexibility terms.............................................................. 242

145........................ Effect of individual flexibility arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term               243

145A..................... Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work. 244

146........................ Terms about settling disputes.......................................... 244

147........................ Ordinary hours of work.................................................. 245

148........................ Base and full rates of pay for pieceworkers.................... 245

149........................ Automatic variation of allowances.................................. 245

149B...................... Term requiring avoidance of liability to pay superannuation guarantee charge         245

149C...................... Default fund terms.......................................................... 246

149D..................... Default fund term must provide for contributions to be made to certain funds         246

Subdivision D—Terms that must not be included in modern awards       248

150........................ Objectionable terms........................................................ 248

151........................ Terms about payments and deductions for benefit of employer etc.         248

152........................ Terms about right of entry.............................................. 249

153........................ Terms that are discriminatory.......................................... 249

154........................ Terms that contain State‑based differences..................... 250

155........................ Terms dealing with long service leave............................ 250

Division 4A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms of modern awards             251

Subdivision A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms                               251

156A..................... 4 yearly reviews of default fund terms............................ 251

Subdivision B—The first stage of the 4 yearly review                                 252

156B...................... Making the Default Superannuation List........................ 252

156C...................... Applications to list a standard MySuper product............ 252

156D..................... Submissions on applications to list a standard MySuper product            253

156E...................... Determining applications to list a standard MySuper product  254

156F...................... First stage criteria............................................................ 254

Subdivision C—Second stage of the 4 yearly review                                    255

156G..................... Review of the default fund term of modern awards........ 255

156H..................... Default fund term must specify certain superannuation funds  256

156J....................... Variation to comply with section 149D.......................... 257

156K...................... Transitional authorisation for certain superannuation funds 257

Subdivision D—The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products 257

156L...................... The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products 257

156M..................... FWC to invite applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule     258

156N..................... Making applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule               258

156P...................... FWC to determine applications....................................... 259

156Q..................... The first stage test........................................................... 260

156R...................... Submissions about the first stage test............................. 260

156S...................... The second stage test...................................................... 261

156T...................... Submissions about the second stage test......................... 261

Subdivision E—Publishing documents under this Division                         262

156U..................... Publishing documents under this Division..................... 262

Division 5—Exercising modern award powers                                          263

Subdivision A—Exercise of powers if necessary to achieve modern awards objective               263

157........................ FWC may vary etc. modern awards if necessary to achieve modern awards objective            263

158........................ Applications to vary, revoke or make modern award...... 264

Subdivision B—Other situations                                                                        266

159........................ Variation of modern award to update or omit name of employer, organisation or outworker entity         266

159A..................... Variation of default fund term of modern award............. 267

160........................ Variation of modern award to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error      268

161........................ Variation of modern award on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission  269

Division 6—General provisions relating to modern award powers 270

162........................ General........................................................................... 270

163........................ Special criteria relating to changing coverage of modern awards             270

164........................ Special criteria for revoking modern awards................... 271

165........................ When variation determinations come into operation, other than determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages...................................... 271

166........................ When variation determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages come into operation......................................................................... 272

167........................ Special rules relating to retrospective variations of awards 273

168........................ Varied modern award must be published........................ 274

Division 7—Additional provisions relating to modern enterprise awards           275

168A..................... Modern enterprise awards.............................................. 275

168B...................... The modern enterprise awards objective......................... 276

168C...................... Rules about making and revoking modern enterprise awards  276

168D..................... Rules about changing coverage of modern enterprise awards  278

Division 8—Additional provisions relating to State reference public sector modern awards   279

168E...................... State reference public sector modern awards.................. 279

168F...................... The State reference public sector modern awards objective 279

168G..................... Making State reference public sector modern awards on application       280

168H..................... State reference public sector modern awards may contain State‑based differences  281

168J....................... When State reference public sector modern awards come into operation 281

168K...................... Rules about revoking State reference public sector modern awards         282

168L...................... Rules about varying coverage of State reference public sector modern awards        283

Part 2‑4—Enterprise agreements                                                                             284

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        284

169........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 284

170........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 285

171........................ Objects of this Part......................................................... 285

Division 2—Employers and employees may make enterprise agreements          287

172........................ Making an enterprise agreement..................................... 287

172A..................... Special measures to achieve equality............................... 290

Division 3—Bargaining and representation during bargaining        291

173........................ Notice of employee representational rights..................... 291

174........................ Content and form of notice of employee representational rights               293

176........................ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are not greenfields agreements        294

177........................ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are greenfields agreements              296

178........................ Appointment of bargaining representatives—other matters 296

178A..................... Revocation of appointment of bargaining representatives etc.  297

178B...................... Notified negotiation period for a proposed single‑enterprise agreement that is a greenfields agreement  298

Division 4—Approval of enterprise agreements                                        300

Subdivision A—Pre‑approval steps and applications for the FWC’s approval             300

179........................ Disclosure by organisations that are bargaining representatives               300

179A..................... Disclosure by employers................................................ 301

180........................ Certain pre‑approval requirements.................................. 302

180A..................... Agreement of bargaining representatives that are employee organisations               304

181........................ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed enterprise agreement     304

182........................ When an enterprise agreement is made........................... 305

183........................ Entitlement of an employee organisation to have an enterprise agreement cover it   306

184........................ Multi‑enterprise agreement to be varied if not all employees approve the agreement               307

185........................ Bargaining representative must apply for the FWC’s approval of an enterprise agreement      308

185A..................... Material that must accompany an application under subsection 182(4) for approval of a greenfields agreement........................................................................................ 309

Subdivision B—Approval of enterprise agreements by the FWC             309

186........................ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—general requirements       309

187........................ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—additional requirements   312

188........................ Determining whether an enterprise agreement has been genuinely agreed to by employees     313

188A..................... Disclosure documents..................................................... 316

188B...................... Statement of principles on genuine agreement................ 316

189........................ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement that does not pass better off overall test—public interest test........................................................................................ 317

190........................ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement with undertakings                318

191........................ Effect of undertakings..................................................... 318

191A..................... FWC may approve an enterprise agreement with amendments                319

191B...................... Effect of amendment specified by FWC......................... 320

192........................ When the FWC may refuse to approve an enterprise agreement              320

Subdivision C—Better off overall test                                                              321

193........................ Passing the better off overall test.................................... 321

193A..................... Applying the better off overall test.................................. 322

Subdivision D—Unlawful terms                                                                         324

194........................ Meaning of unlawful term.............................................. 324

195........................ Meaning of discriminatory term..................................... 325

195A..................... Meaning of objectionable emergency management term 327

Subdivision E—Approval requirements relating to particular kinds of employees     330

196........................ Shiftworkers................................................................... 330

197........................ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement includes pieceworker term             330

198........................ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement does not include a pieceworker term              331

199........................ School‑based apprentices and school‑based trainees...... 331

200........................ Outworkers..................................................................... 332

Subdivision F—Other matters                                                                            332

201........................ Approval decision to note certain matters....................... 332

Division 5—Mandatory terms of enterprise agreements                      335

202........................ Enterprise agreements to include a flexibility term etc..... 335

203........................ Requirements to be met by a flexibility term................... 336

204........................ Effect of arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term                337

205........................ Enterprise agreements to include a consultation term etc. 338

Division 6—Base rate of pay under enterprise agreements                340

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.......................................... 340

Division 7—Variation and termination of enterprise agreements   342

Subdivision A—Variation of enterprise agreements by employers and employees: general circumstances         342

207........................ Variation of an enterprise agreement may be made by employers and employees    342

207A..................... Agreement of employee organisations covered by the agreement            343

208........................ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed variation of an enterprise agreement             343

209........................ When a variation of an enterprise agreement is made...... 344

210........................ Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of an enterprise agreement        344

211........................ When the FWC must approve a variation of an enterprise agreement      345

212........................ FWC may approve a variation of an enterprise agreement with undertakings          349

213........................ Effect of undertakings..................................................... 349

213A..................... FWC may approve variation with amendments.............. 350

213B...................... Effect of amendment specified by FWC......................... 350

214........................ When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of an enterprise agreement         351

215........................ Approval decision to note undertakings.......................... 351

215A..................... Approval decision to note amendments.......................... 352

216........................ When variation comes into operation.............................. 352

Subdivision AA—Variation of supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees (with consent)                                                                                                       352

216A..................... Variation of supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees        352

216AAA............... Terms of variation must be explained to employees........ 353

216AA.................. Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 353

216AB................... When the FWC must approve a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees........................................................................................ 354

216AC................... Determining whether the FWC would have been required to make a supported bargaining authorisation........................................................................................ 355

216AD.................. Determining whether a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees has been genuinely agreed to by affected employees............. 355

216AE................... When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 356

216AF................... When variation comes into operation.............................. 357

Subdivision AB—Variation of supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees (without consent)                                                                                                       357

216B...................... Application for the FWC to vary a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees     357

216BA................... When the FWC must make a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees........................................................................................ 358

216BB................... When the FWC may refuse to make a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 359

216BC................... When variation comes into operation.............................. 360

Subdivision AC—Variation of cooperative workplace agreement to add employer and employees       360

216C...................... Variation of cooperative workplace agreement to add employer and employees      360

216CAA................ Terms of the variation must be explained to employees.. 360

216CA................... Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of a cooperative workplace agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 361

216CB................... When the FWC must approve a variation of a cooperative workplace agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 362

216CC................... Determining whether a variation of a cooperative workplace agreement to add employer and employees has been genuinely agreed to by affected employees............. 363

216CD................... When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of a cooperative workplace agreement       364

216CE................... When variation comes into operation.............................. 364

Subdivision AD—Variation of single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees     365

216D..................... Variation of single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees—joint variation          365

216DAA............... Terms of variation must be explained to employees........ 365

216DA.................. Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of a single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees—joint variation....................................... 366

216DB................... Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of a single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees—application by employee organisation.. 367

216DC................... When the FWC must approve a variation of a single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 368

216DD.................. Determining whether a variation of a single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees has been genuinely agreed to by affected employees............. 372

216DE................... When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of a single interest employer agreement     373

216DF................... When variation comes into operation.............................. 374

Subdivision AE—Variation of multi‑enterprise agreement to remove employer and employees            374

216E...................... Variation of multi‑enterprise agreement to remove employer and employees with consent      374

216EA................... Application for the FWC’s approval of variation............ 375

216EB................... When the FWC must approve variation of multi‑enterprise agreement to remove employer and employees........................................................................................ 376

216EC................... When variation comes into operation.............................. 376

216ED................... Effect of variation........................................................... 377

Subdivision B—Variations of enterprise agreements where there is ambiguity, uncertainty or discrimination  377

217........................ Variation of an enterprise agreement to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty           377

217A..................... FWC may deal with certain disputes about variations..... 377

218........................ Variation of an enterprise agreement on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission   378

Subdivision BA—Variation of enterprise agreements to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities        379

218A..................... Variation of enterprise agreements to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities           379

Subdivision C—Termination of enterprise agreements by employers and employees                379

219........................ Employers and employees may agree to terminate an enterprise agreement             379

220........................ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed termination of an enterprise agreement         380

221........................ When termination of an enterprise agreement is agreed to 380

222........................ Application for the FWC’s approval of a termination of an enterprise agreement    381

223........................ When the FWC must approve a termination of an enterprise agreement  381

224........................ When termination comes into operation.......................... 382

Subdivision D—Termination of enterprise agreements after nominal expiry date      382

225........................ Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date               382

226........................ Terminating an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date           383

226A..................... Guarantee of termination entitlements............................. 384

227........................ When termination comes into operation.......................... 387

Division 7A—Reconsideration of whether an enterprise agreement passes the better off overall test                                                                                                                    388

227A..................... Application for FWC to reconsider whether an enterprise agreement passes the better off overall test    388

227B...................... Reconsideration of whether an enterprise agreement passes the better off overall test             389

227C...................... Effect of undertakings..................................................... 390

227D..................... Effect of amendment....................................................... 391

227E...................... No creation of liability to pay pecuniary penalty for past conduct            391

Division 8—FWC’s general role in facilitating bargaining                  393

Subdivision A—Bargaining orders                                                                   393

228........................ Bargaining representatives must meet the good faith bargaining requirements         393

229........................ Applications for bargaining orders................................. 394

230........................ When the FWC may make a bargaining order................ 395

231........................ What a bargaining order must specify............................. 397

232........................ Operation of a bargaining order...................................... 398

233........................ Contravening a bargaining order..................................... 398

Subdivision B—Intractable bargaining declarations                                   399

234........................ Applications for intractable bargaining declarations........ 399

235........................ When the FWC may make an intractable bargaining declaration              399

235A..................... Post‑declaration negotiating period................................. 401

Subdivision C—Majority support determinations and scope orders        402

236........................ Majority support determinations..................................... 402

237........................ When the FWC must make a majority support determination  402

238........................ Scope orders................................................................... 404

239........................ Operation of a scope order.............................................. 405

Subdivision D—FWC may deal with a bargaining dispute on request     406

240........................ Application for the FWC to deal with a bargaining dispute 406

Subdivision E—Voting request orders                                                              407

240A..................... Application to FWC for voting request order................. 407

240B...................... FWC must make voting request order............................ 408

Division 9—Supported bargaining                                                                    409

241........................ Objects of this Division.................................................. 409

242........................ Supported bargaining authorisations............................... 409

243........................ When the FWC must make a supported bargaining authorisation            410

243A..................... Restrictions on making supported bargaining authorisations 411

244........................ Variation of supported bargaining authorisations—general 412

245........................ Variation of supported bargaining authorisations—enterprise agreement etc. comes into operation        414

246........................ FWC’s assistance........................................................... 414

Division 10—Single interest employer authorisations                            415

248........................ Single interest employer authorisations........................... 415

249........................ When the FWC must make a single interest employer authorisation        415

249A..................... Restriction on making single interest employer authorisations 419

250........................ What a single interest employer authorisation must specify 419

251........................ Variation of single interest employer authorisations....... 420

251A..................... Restriction on variation of single interest employer authorisation            425

252........................ Variation to extend period single interest employer authorisation is in operation     426

Division 11—Other matters                                                                                  427

253........................ Terms of an enterprise agreement that are of no effect.... 427

254........................ Applications by bargaining representatives..................... 427

254A..................... Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions... 428

255........................ Part does not empower the FWC to make certain orders 428

255A..................... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................ 429

256........................ Prospective employers and employees............................ 430

256A..................... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described          430

257........................ Enterprise agreements may incorporate material in force from time to time etc.       430

Part 2‑5—Workplace determinations                                                                    431

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        431

258........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 431

259........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 432

Division 3—Industrial action related workplace determinations     433

266........................ When the FWC must make an industrial action related workplace determination     433

267........................ Terms etc. of an industrial action related workplace determination           434

268........................ No other terms................................................................ 435

Division 4—Intractable bargaining workplace determinations         436

269........................ When the FWC must make an intractable bargaining workplace determination       436

270........................ Terms etc. of an intractable bargaining workplace determination             436

271........................ No other terms................................................................ 437

Division 5—Core terms, mandatory terms and agreed terms of workplace determinations etc.           438

272........................ Core terms of workplace determinations......................... 438

273........................ Mandatory terms of workplace determinations............... 439

274........................ Agreed terms for workplace determinations................... 440

275........................ Factors the FWC must take into account in deciding terms of a workplace determination       441

Division 6—Operation, coverage and interaction etc. of workplace determinations    442

276........................ When a workplace determination operates etc................. 442

277........................ Employers, employees and employee organisations covered by a workplace determination    442

278........................ Interaction of a workplace determination with enterprise agreements etc.                443

279........................ Act applies to a workplace determination as if it were an enterprise agreement        444

Division 7—Other matters                                                                                     446

280........................ Contravening a workplace determination........................ 446

281........................ Applications by bargaining representatives..................... 446

281AA.................. Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions... 446

281A..................... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described          447

Part 2‑6—Minimum wages                                                                                           448

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        448

282........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 448

283........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 449

Division 2—Overarching provisions                                                                450

284........................ The minimum wages objective........................................ 450

Division 3—Annual wage reviews                                                                     452

Subdivision A—Main provisions                                                                        452

285........................ Annual wage reviews to be conducted............................ 452

286........................ When annual wage review determinations varying modern awards come into operation         452

287........................ When national minimum wage orders come into operation etc.                453

Subdivision B—Provisions about conduct of annual wage reviews          455

288........................ General........................................................................... 455

289........................ Everyone to have a reasonable opportunity to make and comment on submissions 455

290........................ President may direct investigations and reports.............. 456

291........................ Research must be published............................................ 457

292........................ Varied wage rates must be published.............................. 457

Division 4—National minimum wage orders                                               458

293........................ Contravening a national minimum wage order................ 458

294........................ Content of national minimum wage order—main provisions 458

295........................ Content of national minimum wage order—other matters 459

296........................ Variation of national minimum wage order to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error             460

297........................ When determinations varying national minimum wage orders come into operation 460

298........................ Special rule about retrospective variations of national minimum wage orders          461

299........................ When a national minimum wage order is in operation.... 462

Part 2‑7—Equal remuneration                                                                                  463

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        463

300........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 463

301........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 463

Division 2—Equal remuneration orders                                                        464

302........................ FWC may make an order requiring equal remuneration.. 464

303........................ Equal remuneration order may increase, but must not reduce, rates of remuneration               466

304........................ Equal remuneration order may implement equal remuneration in stages  466

305........................ Contravening an equal remuneration order..................... 466

306........................ Inconsistency with modern awards, enterprise agreements and orders of the FWC 466

Part 2‑8—Transfer of business                                                                                  467

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        467

307........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 467

308........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 467

309........................ Object of this Part........................................................... 468

Division 2—Transfer of instruments                                                                469

310........................ Application of this Division............................................ 469

311........................ When does a transfer of business occur.......................... 469

312........................ Instruments that may transfer.......................................... 471

313........................ Transferring employees and new employer covered by transferable instrument      471

314........................ New non‑transferring employees of new employer may be covered by transferable instrument              472

315........................ Organisations covered by transferable instrument.......... 473

316........................ Transferring employees who are high income employees 474

Division 3—Powers of the FWC                                                                         476

317........................ FWC may make orders in relation to a transfer of business 476

318........................ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and transferring employees                476

319........................ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and non‑transferring employees         478

320........................ Variation of transferable instruments.............................. 480

Part 2‑9—Other terms and conditions of employment                               482

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        482

321........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 482

322........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 482

Division 2—Payment of wages etc.                                                                   483

323........................ Method and frequency of payment................................. 483

324........................ Permitted deductions....................................................... 484

325........................ Unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amount....... 484

326........................ Certain terms have no effect............................................ 485

327........................ Things given or provided, and amounts required to be spent or paid, in contravention of this Division  486

Division 3—Guarantee of annual earnings                                                   487

328........................ Employer obligations in relation to guarantee of annual earnings             487

329........................ High income employee................................................... 488

330........................ Guarantee of annual earnings and annual rate of guarantee 489

331........................ Guaranteed period........................................................... 490

332........................ Earnings.......................................................................... 490

333........................ High income threshold.................................................... 491

333A..................... Prospective employees.................................................... 492

Division 4—Prohibiting pay secrecy                                                                493

333B...................... Employees not subject to pay secrecy............................. 493

333C...................... Pay secrecy terms to have no effect................................ 494

333D..................... Prohibition on pay secrecy terms.................................... 494

Chapter 3—Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc.                                                                                                                       495

Part 3‑1—General protections                                                                                   495

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        495

334........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 495

335........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 495

336........................ Objects of this Part......................................................... 496

Division 2—Application of this Part                                                                 497

337........................ Application of this Part................................................... 497

338........................ Action to which this Part applies.................................... 497

339........................ Additional effect of this Part........................................... 498

Division 3—Workplace rights                                                                              500

340........................ Protection........................................................................ 500

341........................ Meaning of workplace right........................................... 500

342........................ Meaning of adverse action............................................. 502

343........................ Coercion......................................................................... 505

344........................ Undue influence or pressure........................................... 505

345........................ Misrepresentations.......................................................... 506

Division 4—Industrial activities                                                                          507

346........................ Protection........................................................................ 507

347........................ Meaning of engages in industrial activity....................... 507

348........................ Coercion......................................................................... 508

349........................ Misrepresentations.......................................................... 508

350........................ Inducements—membership action.................................. 509

Division 5—Other protections                                                                             510

351........................ Discrimination................................................................ 510

352........................ Temporary absence—illness or injury............................ 511

353........................ Bargaining services fees................................................. 511

354........................ Coverage by particular instruments................................. 512

355........................ Coercion—allocation of duties etc. to particular person.. 512

356........................ Objectionable terms........................................................ 513

Division 6—Sham arrangements                                                                        514

357........................ Misrepresenting employment as independent contracting arrangement    514

358........................ Dismissing to engage as independent contractor............. 514

359........................ Misrepresentation to engage as independent contractor.. 514

Division 7—Ancillary rules                                                                                   516

360........................ Multiple reasons for action............................................. 516

361........................ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise 516

362........................ Advising, encouraging, inciting or coercing action......... 516

363........................ Actions of industrial associations................................... 516

364........................ Unincorporated industrial associations........................... 518

Division 8—Compliance                                                                                          519

Subdivision A—Contraventions involving dismissal                                    519

365........................ Application for the FWC to deal with a dismissal dispute 519

366........................ Time for application........................................................ 519

367........................ Application fees.............................................................. 519

368........................ Dealing with a dismissal dispute (other than by arbitration) 520

369........................ Dealing with a dismissal dispute by arbitration............... 521

370........................ Taking a dismissal dispute to court................................. 522

Subdivision B—Other contraventions                                                              522

372........................ Application for the FWC to deal with a non‑dismissal dispute                522

373........................ Application fees.............................................................. 523

374........................ Conferences.................................................................... 523

375........................ Advice on general protections court application.............. 523

Subdivision C—Appeals and costs orders                                                        524

375A..................... Appeal rights.................................................................. 524

375B...................... Costs orders against parties............................................ 524

376........................ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................. 524

377........................ Applications for costs orders.......................................... 525

377A..................... Schedule of costs............................................................ 525

378........................ Contravening costs orders.............................................. 526

Part 3‑2—Unfair dismissal                                                                                           527

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        527

379........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 527

380........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 527

381........................ Object of this Part........................................................... 527

Division 2—Protection from unfair dismissal                                              529

382........................ When a person is protected from unfair dismissal.......... 529

383........................ Meaning of minimum employment period...................... 529

384........................ Period of employment..................................................... 529

Division 3—What is an unfair dismissal                                                         531

385........................ What is an unfair dismissal............................................. 531

386........................ Meaning of dismissed..................................................... 531

387........................ Criteria for considering harshness etc............................. 532

388........................ The Small Business Fair Dismissal Code....................... 533

389........................ Meaning of genuine redundancy.................................... 533

Division 4—Remedies for unfair dismissal                                                    534

390........................ When the FWC may order remedy for unfair dismissal.. 534

391........................ Remedy—reinstatement etc............................................. 534

392........................ Remedy—compensation................................................. 536

393........................ Monetary orders may be in instalments.......................... 537

Division 5—Procedural matters                                                                         538

394........................ Application for unfair dismissal remedy......................... 538

395........................ Application fees.............................................................. 538

396........................ Initial matters to be considered before merits.................. 539

397........................ Matters involving contested facts.................................... 539

398........................ Conferences.................................................................... 539

399........................ Hearings......................................................................... 540

399A..................... Dismissing applications.................................................. 540

400........................ Appeal rights.................................................................. 541

400A..................... Costs orders against parties............................................ 541

401........................ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................. 541

402........................ Applications for costs orders.......................................... 542

403........................ Schedule of costs............................................................ 542

404........................ Security for costs............................................................ 543

405........................ Contravening orders under this Part............................... 543

Part 3‑3—Industrial action                                                                                           544

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        544

406........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 544

407........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 545

Division 2—Protected industrial action                                                          546

Subdivision A—What is protected industrial action                                     546

408........................ Protected industrial action............................................... 546

409........................ Employee claim action.................................................... 546

410........................ Employee response action............................................... 548

411........................ Employer response action............................................... 549

412........................ Pattern bargaining........................................................... 549

Subdivision B—Common requirements for industrial action to be protected industrial action                551

413........................ Common requirements that apply for industrial action to be protected industrial action           551

414....................