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Fair Work Act 2009

Authoritative Version
  • - C2023C00112
  • In force - Superseded Version
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Act No. 28 of 2009 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Protecting Worker Entitlements) Act 2023
An Act relating to workplace relations, and for related purposes
Administered by: Attorney-General's; Employment and Workplace Relations
Registered 01 Jul 2023
Start Date 01 Jul 2023
End Date 17 Oct 2023

Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia

Fair Work Act 2009

No. 28, 2009

Compilation No. 51

Compilation date:                              1 July 2023

Includes amendments up to:            Act No. 43, 2023

Registered:                                         1 July 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

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 1 July 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

40B........................ Effect of the Migration Act 1958.................................... 106

Chapter 2—Terms and conditions of employment                107

Part 2‑1—Core provisions for this Chapter                                                      107

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        107

41.......................... Guide to this Part............................................................ 107

42.......................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 108

Division 2—Core provisions for this Chapter                                             109

Subdivision A—Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act            109

43.......................... Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act                109

Subdivision B—Terms and conditions of employment provided by the National Employment Standards            110

44.......................... Contravening the National Employment Standards......... 110

Subdivision C—Terms and conditions of employment provided by a modern award 110

45.......................... Contravening a modern award........................................ 110

46.......................... The significance of a modern award applying to a person 110

47.......................... When a modern award applies to an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity   111

48.......................... When a modern award covers an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity        112

49.......................... When a modern award is in operation............................. 113

Subdivision D—Terms and conditions of employment provided by an enterprise agreement  114

50.......................... Contravening an enterprise agreement............................ 114

51.......................... The significance of an enterprise agreement applying to a person            114

52.......................... When an enterprise agreement applies to an employer, employee or employee organisation   114

53.......................... When an enterprise agreement covers an employer, employee or employee organisation        115

54.......................... When an enterprise agreement is in operation................. 116

Division 3—Interaction between the National Employment Standards, modern awards and enterprise agreements                                                                                           118

Subdivision A—Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or an enterprise agreement                                                                                   118

55.......................... Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or enterprise agreement  118

56.......................... Terms of a modern award or enterprise agreement contravening section 55 have no effect     120

Subdivision B—Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements         121

57.......................... Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements               121

57A....................... Designated outworker terms of a modern award continue to apply          121

Subdivision C—Interaction between one or more enterprise agreements 122

58.......................... Only one enterprise agreement can apply to an employee 122

Part 2‑2—The National Employment Standards                                           124

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        124

59.......................... Guide to this Part............................................................ 124

60.......................... Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 125

Division 2—The National Employment Standards                                   126

61.......................... The National Employment Standards are minimum standards applying to employment of employees    126

Division 3—Maximum weekly hours                                                                127

62.......................... Maximum weekly hours................................................. 127

63.......................... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for averaging of hours of work        128

64.......................... Averaging of hours of work for award/agreement free employees          129

Division 4—Requests for flexible working arrangements                    130

65.......................... Requests for flexible working arrangements................... 130

65A....................... Responding to requests for flexible working arrangements 131

65B........................ Disputes about the operation of this Division................. 134

65C........................ Arbitration...................................................................... 135

66.......................... State and Territory laws that are not excluded................. 137

Division 4A—Offers and requests for casual conversion                     138

Subdivision A—Application of Division                                                           138

66A....................... Division applies to casual employees etc........................ 138

Subdivision B—Employer offers for casual conversion                             138

66AA.................... Subdivision does not apply to small business employers 138

66B........................ Employer offers.............................................................. 138

66C........................ When employer offers not required................................ 139

66D....................... Employee must give a response...................................... 141

66E........................ Acceptances of offers..................................................... 141

Subdivision C—Residual right to request casual conversion                      141

66F........................ Employee requests.......................................................... 141

66G....................... Employer must give a response...................................... 143

66H....................... Refusals of requests........................................................ 143

66J......................... Grants of requests........................................................... 144

Subdivision D—Other provisions                                                                       145

66K........................ Effect of conversion........................................................ 145

66L........................ Other rights and obligations............................................ 145

66M....................... Disputes about the operation of this Division................. 145

Division 5—Parental leave and related entitlements                               148

Subdivision A—General                                                                                       148

67.......................... General rule—employee must have completed at least 12 months of service           148

68.......................... General rule for adoption‑related leave—child must be under 16 etc.      150

69.......................... Transfer of employment situations in which employee is entitled to continue on leave etc.      150

Subdivision B—Parental leave                                                                           151

70.......................... Entitlement to unpaid parental leave................................ 151

71.......................... The period of leave......................................................... 151

72A....................... Flexible unpaid parental leave......................................... 153

73.......................... Pregnant employee may be required to take unpaid parental leave within 6 weeks before the birth         155

74.......................... Notice and evidence requirements................................... 157

75.......................... Extending period of unpaid parental leave—extending to use more of available parental leave period     160

76.......................... Extending period of unpaid parental leave—extending for up to 12 months beyond available parental leave period.............................................................................. 161

76A....................... Responding to requests for extension of unpaid parental leave                162

76B........................ Disputes about extension of period of unpaid parental leave 165

76C........................ Arbitration...................................................................... 166

77.......................... Reducing period of unpaid parental leave....................... 168

77A....................... Effect of stillbirth or death of child on unpaid parental leave 168

78.......................... Employee who ceases to have responsibility for care of child  169

78A....................... Hospitalised children...................................................... 170

79.......................... Interaction with paid leave.............................................. 172

79A....................... Keeping in touch days..................................................... 172

79B........................ Unpaid parental leave not extended by paid leave or keeping in touch days             174

Subdivision C—Other entitlements                                                                    174

80.......................... Unpaid special parental leave.......................................... 174

81.......................... Transfer to a safe job...................................................... 175

81A....................... Paid no safe job leave..................................................... 176

82.......................... Employee on paid no safe job leave may be asked to provide a further medical certificate       177

82A....................... Unpaid no safe job leave................................................. 177

83.......................... Consultation with employee on unpaid parental leave..... 178

84.......................... Return to work guarantee................................................ 178

84A....................... Replacement employees.................................................. 178

85.......................... Unpaid pre‑adoption leave.............................................. 179

Division 6—Annual leave                                                                                       181

86.......................... Division applies to employees other than casual employees 181

87.......................... Entitlement to annual leave.............................................. 181

88.......................... Taking paid annual leave................................................. 182

89.......................... Employee not taken to be on paid annual leave at certain times                183

90.......................... Payment for annual leave................................................ 183

91.......................... Transfer of employment situations that affect entitlement to payment for period of untaken paid annual leave........................................................................................ 183

92.......................... Paid annual leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms           184

93.......................... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out and taking paid annual leave................................................................................ 184

94.......................... Cashing out and taking paid annual leave for award/agreement free employees       185

Division 7—Personal/carer’s leave, compassionate leave and paid family and domestic violence leave                                                                                                                    187

Subdivision A—Paid personal/carer’s leave                                                   187

95.......................... Subdivision applies to employees other than casual employees               187

96.......................... Entitlement to paid personal/carer’s leave....................... 187

97.......................... Taking paid personal/carer’s leave.................................. 187

98.......................... Employee taken not to be on paid personal/carer’s leave at certain times 188

99.......................... Payment for paid personal/carer’s leave.......................... 188

100........................ Paid personal/carer’s leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms........................................................................................ 189

101........................ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out paid personal/carer’s leave................................................................................ 189

Subdivision B—Unpaid carer’s leave                                                               189

102........................ Entitlement to unpaid carer’s leave.................................. 189

103........................ Taking unpaid carer’s leave............................................ 190

Subdivision C—Compassionate leave                                                               190

104........................ Entitlement to compassionate leave................................. 190

105........................ Taking compassionate leave............................................ 191

106........................ Payment for compassionate leave (other than for casual employees)       192

Subdivision CA—Paid family and domestic violence leave                        192

106A..................... Entitlement to paid family and domestic violence leave... 192

106B...................... Taking paid family and domestic violence leave............. 193

106BA................... Payment for paid family and domestic violence leave..... 194

106C...................... Confidentiality................................................................ 194

106D..................... Operation of paid family and domestic violence leave and leave for victims of crime              195

106E...................... Entitlement to days of leave............................................ 195

Subdivision D—Notice and evidence requirements                                       195

107........................ Notice and evidence requirements................................... 195

Division 8—Community service leave                                                             198

108........................ Entitlement to be absent from employment for engaging in eligible community service activity              198

109........................ Meaning of eligible community service activity............... 198

110........................ Notice and evidence requirements................................... 200

111........................ Payment to employees (other than casuals) on jury service 200

112........................ State and Territory laws that are not excluded................. 202

Division 9—Long service leave                                                                           204

113........................ Entitlement to long service leave..................................... 204

113A..................... Enterprise agreements may contain terms discounting service under prior agreements etc. in certain circumstances.................................................................. 206

Division 10—Public holidays                                                                                208

114........................ Entitlement to be absent from employment on public holiday  208

115........................ Meaning of public holiday.............................................. 209

116........................ Payment for absence on public holiday........................... 210

Division 11—Notice of termination and redundancy pay                     211

Subdivision A—Notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice         211

117........................ Requirement for notice of termination or payment in lieu 211

118........................ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for notice of termination by employees            212

Subdivision B—Redundancy pay                                                                       212

119........................ Redundancy pay............................................................. 212

120........................ Variation of redundancy pay for other employment or incapacity to pay 213

121........................ Exclusions from obligation to pay redundancy pay........ 214

122........................ Transfer of employment situations that affect the obligation to pay redundancy pay                215

Subdivision C—Limits on scope of this Division                                            216

123........................ Limits on scope of this Division..................................... 216

Division 12—Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish statements           218

124........................ Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Fair Work Information Statement  218

125........................ Giving new employees the Fair Work Information Statement  218

125A..................... Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Casual Employment Information Statement   219

125B...................... Giving new employees the Casual Employment Information Statement  220

Division 13—Miscellaneous                                                                                   221

126........................ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for school‑based apprentices and trainees to be paid loadings in lieu................................................................ 221

127........................ Regulations about what modern awards and enterprise agreements can do              221

128........................ Relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements etc. permitted by this Part for award/agreement free employees.................................... 222

129........................ Regulations about what can be agreed to etc. in relation to award/agreement free employees  222

130........................ Restriction on taking or accruing leave or absence while receiving workers’ compensation    222

131........................ Relationship with other Commonwealth laws................. 223

Part 2‑3—Modern awards                                                                                            224

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        224

132........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 224

133........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 225

Division 2—Overarching provisions                                                                226

134........................ The modern awards objective......................................... 226

135........................ Special provisions relating to modern award minimum wages 227

Division 3—Terms of modern awards                                                             229

Subdivision A—Preliminary                                                                               229

136........................ What can be included in modern awards......................... 229

137........................ Terms that contravene section 136 have no effect........... 230

138........................ Achieving the modern awards objective......................... 230

Subdivision B—Terms that may be included in modern awards               230

139........................ Terms that may be included in modern awards—general 230

140........................ Outworker terms............................................................. 231

141........................ Industry‑specific redundancy schemes........................... 232

142........................ Incidental and machinery terms....................................... 233

Subdivision C—Terms that must be included in modern awards              234

143........................ Coverage terms of modern awards other than modern enterprise awards and State reference public sector modern awards............................................................... 234

143A..................... Coverage terms of modern enterprise awards................. 236

143B...................... Coverage terms of State reference public sector modern awards              238

144........................ Flexibility terms.............................................................. 239

145........................ Effect of individual flexibility arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term               240

145A..................... Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work. 241

146........................ Terms about settling disputes.......................................... 241

147........................ Ordinary hours of work.................................................. 242

148........................ Base and full rates of pay for pieceworkers.................... 242

149........................ Automatic variation of allowances.................................. 242

149B...................... Term requiring avoidance of liability to pay superannuation guarantee charge         242

149C...................... Default fund terms.......................................................... 243

149D..................... Default fund term must provide for contributions to be made to certain funds         244

Subdivision D—Terms that must not be included in modern awards       246

150........................ Objectionable terms........................................................ 246

151........................ Terms about payments and deductions for benefit of employer etc.         246

152........................ Terms about right of entry.............................................. 246

153........................ Terms that are discriminatory.......................................... 246

154........................ Terms that contain State‑based differences..................... 247

155........................ Terms dealing with long service leave............................ 248

Division 4A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms of modern awards             249

Subdivision A—4 yearly reviews of default fund terms                               249

156A..................... 4 yearly reviews of default fund terms............................ 249

Subdivision B—The first stage of the 4 yearly review                                 250

156B...................... Making the Default Superannuation List........................ 250

156C...................... Applications to list a standard MySuper product............ 250

156D..................... Submissions on applications to list a standard MySuper product            251

156E...................... Determining applications to list a standard MySuper product  252

156F...................... First stage criteria............................................................ 252

Subdivision C—Second stage of the 4 yearly review                                    253

156G..................... Review of the default fund term of modern awards........ 253

156H..................... Default fund term must specify certain superannuation funds  254

156J....................... Variation to comply with section 149D.......................... 255

156K...................... Transitional authorisation for certain superannuation funds 255

Subdivision D—The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products 255

156L...................... The Schedule of Approved Employer MySuper Products 255

156M..................... FWC to invite applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule     256

156N..................... Making applications to include employer MySuper products on schedule               256

156P...................... FWC to determine applications....................................... 257

156Q..................... The first stage test........................................................... 258

156R...................... Submissions about the first stage test............................. 258

156S...................... The second stage test...................................................... 259

156T...................... Submissions about the second stage test......................... 259

Subdivision E—Publishing documents under this Division                         260

156U..................... Publishing documents under this Division..................... 260

Division 5—Exercising modern award powers                                          261

Subdivision A—Exercise of powers if necessary to achieve modern awards objective               261

157........................ FWC may vary etc. modern awards if necessary to achieve modern awards objective            261

158........................ Applications to vary, revoke or make modern award...... 262

Subdivision B—Other situations                                                                        264

159........................ Variation of modern award to update or omit name of employer, organisation or outworker entity         264

159A..................... Variation of default fund term of modern award............. 265

160........................ Variation of modern award to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error      266

161........................ Variation of modern award on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission  267

Division 6—General provisions relating to modern award powers 268

162........................ General........................................................................... 268

163........................ Special criteria relating to changing coverage of modern awards             268

164........................ Special criteria for revoking modern awards................... 269

165........................ When variation determinations come into operation, other than determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages...................................... 269

166........................ When variation determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages come into operation......................................................................... 270

167........................ Special rules relating to retrospective variations of awards 271

168........................ Varied modern award must be published........................ 272

Division 7—Additional provisions relating to modern enterprise awards           273

168A..................... Modern enterprise awards.............................................. 273

168B...................... The modern enterprise awards objective......................... 274

168C...................... Rules about making and revoking modern enterprise awards  274

168D..................... Rules about changing coverage of modern enterprise awards  276

Division 8—Additional provisions relating to State reference public sector modern awards   277

168E...................... State reference public sector modern awards.................. 277

168F...................... The State reference public sector modern awards objective 277

168G..................... Making State reference public sector modern awards on application       278

168H..................... State reference public sector modern awards may contain State‑based differences  279

168J....................... When State reference public sector modern awards come into operation 279

168K...................... Rules about revoking State reference public sector modern awards         280

168L...................... Rules about varying coverage of State reference public sector modern awards        281

Part 2‑4—Enterprise agreements                                                                             282

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        282

169........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 282

170........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 283

171........................ Objects of this Part......................................................... 283

Division 2—Employers and employees may make enterprise agreements          285

172........................ Making an enterprise agreement..................................... 285

172A..................... Special measures to achieve equality............................... 288

Division 3—Bargaining and representation during bargaining        289

173........................ Notice of employee representational rights..................... 289

174........................ Content and form of notice of employee representational rights               291

176........................ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are not greenfields agreements        292

177........................ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are greenfields agreements              294

178........................ Appointment of bargaining representatives—other matters 294

178A..................... Revocation of appointment of bargaining representatives etc.  295

178B...................... Notified negotiation period for a proposed single‑enterprise agreement that is a greenfields agreement  296

Division 4—Approval of enterprise agreements                                        298

Subdivision A—Pre‑approval steps and applications for the FWC’s approval             298

179........................ Disclosure by organisations that are bargaining representatives               298

179A..................... Disclosure by employers................................................ 299

180........................ Certain pre‑approval requirements.................................. 300

180A..................... Agreement of bargaining representatives that are employee organisations               302

181........................ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed enterprise agreement     302

182........................ When an enterprise agreement is made........................... 303

183........................ Entitlement of an employee organisation to have an enterprise agreement cover it   304

184........................ Multi‑enterprise agreement to be varied if not all employees approve the agreement               305

185........................ Bargaining representative must apply for the FWC’s approval of an enterprise agreement      306

185A..................... Material that must accompany an application under subsection 182(4) for approval of a greenfields agreement........................................................................................ 307

Subdivision B—Approval of enterprise agreements by the FWC             307

186........................ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—general requirements       307

187........................ When the FWC must approve an enterprise agreement—additional requirements   310

188........................ Determining whether an enterprise agreement has been genuinely agreed to by employees     311

188A..................... Disclosure documents..................................................... 314

188B...................... Statement of principles on genuine agreement................ 314

189........................ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement that does not pass better off overall test—public interest test........................................................................................ 315

190........................ FWC may approve an enterprise agreement with undertakings                316

191........................ Effect of undertakings..................................................... 316

191A..................... FWC may approve an enterprise agreement with amendments                317

191B...................... Effect of amendment specified by FWC......................... 318

192........................ When the FWC may refuse to approve an enterprise agreement              318

Subdivision C—Better off overall test                                                              319

193........................ Passing the better off overall test.................................... 319

193A..................... Applying the better off overall test.................................. 320

Subdivision D—Unlawful terms                                                                         322

194........................ Meaning of unlawful term.............................................. 322

195........................ Meaning of discriminatory term..................................... 323

195A..................... Meaning of objectionable emergency management term 325

Subdivision E—Approval requirements relating to particular kinds of employees     328

196........................ Shiftworkers................................................................... 328

197........................ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement includes pieceworker term             328

198........................ Pieceworkers—enterprise agreement does not include a pieceworker term              329

199........................ School‑based apprentices and school‑based trainees...... 329

200........................ Outworkers..................................................................... 330

Subdivision F—Other matters                                                                            330

201........................ Approval decision to note certain matters....................... 330

Division 5—Mandatory terms of enterprise agreements                      333

202........................ Enterprise agreements to include a flexibility term etc..... 333

203........................ Requirements to be met by a flexibility term................... 334

204........................ Effect of arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term                335

205........................ Enterprise agreements to include a consultation term etc. 336

Division 6—Base rate of pay under enterprise agreements                338

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.......................................... 338

Division 7—Variation and termination of enterprise agreements   340

Subdivision A—Variation of enterprise agreements by employers and employees: general circumstances         340

207........................ Variation of an enterprise agreement may be made by employers and employees    340

207A..................... Agreement of employee organisations covered by the agreement            341

208........................ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed variation of an enterprise agreement             341

209........................ When a variation of an enterprise agreement is made...... 342

210........................ Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of an enterprise agreement        342

211........................ When the FWC must approve a variation of an enterprise agreement      343

212........................ FWC may approve a variation of an enterprise agreement with undertakings          347

213........................ Effect of undertakings..................................................... 347

213A..................... FWC may approve variation with amendments.............. 348

213B...................... Effect of amendment specified by FWC......................... 348

214........................ When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of an enterprise agreement         349

215........................ Approval decision to note undertakings.......................... 349

215A..................... Approval decision to note amendments.......................... 350

216........................ When variation comes into operation.............................. 350

Subdivision AA—Variation of supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees (with consent)                                                                                                       350

216A..................... Variation of supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees        350

216AAA............... Terms of variation must be explained to employees........ 351

216AA.................. Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 351

216AB................... When the FWC must approve a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees........................................................................................ 352

216AC................... Determining whether the FWC would have been required to make a supported bargaining authorisation........................................................................................ 353

216AD.................. Determining whether a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees has been genuinely agreed to by affected employees............. 353

216AE................... When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 354

216AF................... When variation comes into operation.............................. 355

Subdivision AB—Variation of supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees (without consent)                                                                                                       355

216B...................... Application for the FWC to vary a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees     355

216BA................... When the FWC must make a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees........................................................................................ 356

216BB................... When the FWC may refuse to make a variation of a supported bargaining agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 357

216BC................... When variation comes into operation.............................. 358

Subdivision AC—Variation of cooperative workplace agreement to add employer and employees       358

216C...................... Variation of cooperative workplace agreement to add employer and employees      358

216CAA................ Terms of the variation must be explained to employees.. 358

216CA................... Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of a cooperative workplace agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 359

216CB................... When the FWC must approve a variation of a cooperative workplace agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 360

216CC................... Determining whether a variation of a cooperative workplace agreement to add employer and employees has been genuinely agreed to by affected employees............. 361

216CD................... When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of a cooperative workplace agreement       362

216CE................... When variation comes into operation.............................. 362

Subdivision AD—Variation of single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees     363

216D..................... Variation of single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees—joint variation          363

216DAA............... Terms of variation must be explained to employees........ 363

216DA.................. Application for the FWC’s approval of a variation of a single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees—joint variation....................................... 364

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.. 365

216DC................... When the FWC must approve a variation of a single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees....................................................................... 366

216DD.................. Determining whether a variation of a single interest employer agreement to add employer and employees has been genuinely agreed to by affected employees............. 370

216DE................... When the FWC may refuse to approve a variation of a single interest employer agreement     371

216DF................... When variation comes into operation.............................. 372

Subdivision AE—Variation of multi‑enterprise agreement to remove employer and employees            372

216E...................... Variation of multi‑enterprise agreement to remove employer and employees with consent      372

216EA................... Application for the FWC’s approval of variation............ 373

216EB................... When the FWC must approve variation of multi‑enterprise agreement to remove employer and employees........................................................................................ 374

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

216ED................... Effect of variation........................................................... 375

Subdivision B—Variations of enterprise agreements where there is ambiguity, uncertainty or discrimination  375

217........................ Variation of an enterprise agreement to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty           375

217A..................... FWC may deal with certain disputes about variations..... 375

218........................ Variation of an enterprise agreement on referral by Australian Human Rights Commission   376

Subdivision BA—Variation of enterprise agreements to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities        377

218A..................... Variation of enterprise agreements to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities           377

Subdivision C—Termination of enterprise agreements by employers and employees                377

219........................ Employers and employees may agree to terminate an enterprise agreement             377

220........................ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed termination of an enterprise agreement         378

221........................ When termination of an enterprise agreement is agreed to 378

222........................ Application for the FWC’s approval of a termination of an enterprise agreement    379

223........................ When the FWC must approve a termination of an enterprise agreement  379

224........................ When termination comes into operation.......................... 380

Subdivision D—Termination of enterprise agreements after nominal expiry date      380

225........................ Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date               380

226........................ Terminating an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date           381

226A..................... Guarantee of termination entitlements............................. 382

227........................ When termination comes into operation.......................... 385

Division 7A—Reconsideration of whether an enterprise agreement passes the better off overall test                                                                                                                    386

227A..................... Application for FWC to reconsider whether an enterprise agreement passes the better off overall test    386

227B...................... Reconsideration of whether an enterprise agreement passes the better off overall test             387

227C...................... Effect of undertakings..................................................... 388

227D..................... Effect of amendment....................................................... 389

227E...................... No creation of liability to pay pecuniary penalty for past conduct            389

Division 8—FWC’s general role in facilitating bargaining                  391

Subdivision A—Bargaining orders                                                                   391

228........................ Bargaining representatives must meet the good faith bargaining requirements         391

229........................ Applications for bargaining orders................................. 392

230........................ When the FWC may make a bargaining order................ 393

231........................ What a bargaining order must specify............................. 395

232........................ Operation of a bargaining order...................................... 396

233........................ Contravening a bargaining order..................................... 396

Subdivision B—Intractable bargaining declarations                                   397

234........................ Applications for intractable bargaining declarations........ 397

235........................ When the FWC may make an intractable bargaining declaration              397

235A..................... Post‑declaration negotiating period................................. 399

Subdivision C—Majority support determinations and scope orders        400

236........................ Majority support determinations..................................... 400

237........................ When the FWC must make a majority support determination  400

238........................ Scope orders................................................................... 402

239........................ Operation of a scope order.............................................. 403

Subdivision D—FWC may deal with a bargaining dispute on request     404

240........................ Application for the FWC to deal with a bargaining dispute 404

Subdivision E—Voting request orders                                                              405

240A..................... Application to FWC for voting request order................. 405

240B...................... FWC must make voting request order............................ 406

Division 9—Supported bargaining                                                                    407

241........................ Objects of this Division.................................................. 407

242........................ Supported bargaining authorisations............................... 407

243........................ When the FWC must make a supported bargaining authorisation            408

243A..................... Restrictions on making supported bargaining authorisations 409

244........................ Variation of supported bargaining authorisations—general 410

245........................ Variation of supported bargaining authorisations—enterprise agreement etc. comes into operation        412

246........................ FWC’s assistance........................................................... 412

Division 10—Single interest employer authorisations                            413

248........................ Single interest employer authorisations........................... 413

249........................ When the FWC must make a single interest employer authorisation        413

249A..................... Restriction on making single interest employer authorisations 417

250........................ What a single interest employer authorisation must specify 417

251........................ Variation of single interest employer authorisations....... 418

251A..................... Restriction on variation of single interest employer authorisation            423

252........................ Variation to extend period single interest employer authorisation is in operation     424

Division 11—Other matters                                                                                  425

253........................ Terms of an enterprise agreement that are of no effect.... 425

254........................ Applications by bargaining representatives..................... 425

254A..................... Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions... 426

255........................ Part does not empower the FWC to make certain orders 426

255A..................... Limitations relating to greenfields agreements................ 427

256........................ Prospective employers and employees............................ 428

256A..................... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described          428

257........................ Enterprise agreements may incorporate material in force from time to time etc.       428

Part 2‑5—Workplace determinations                                                                    429

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        429

258........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 429

259........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 430

Division 3—Industrial action related workplace determinations     431

266........................ When the FWC must make an industrial action related workplace determination     431

267........................ Terms etc. of an industrial action related workplace determination           432

268........................ No other terms................................................................ 433

Division 4—Intractable bargaining workplace determinations         434

269........................ When the FWC must make an intractable bargaining workplace determination       434

270........................ Terms etc. of an intractable bargaining workplace determination             434

271........................ No other terms................................................................ 435

Division 5—Core terms, mandatory terms and agreed terms of workplace determinations etc.           436

272........................ Core terms of workplace determinations......................... 436

273........................ Mandatory terms of workplace determinations............... 437

274........................ Agreed terms for workplace determinations................... 438

275........................ Factors the FWC must take into account in deciding terms of a workplace determination       439

Division 6—Operation, coverage and interaction etc. of workplace determinations    440

276........................ When a workplace determination operates etc................. 440

277........................ Employers, employees and employee organisations covered by a workplace determination    440

278........................ Interaction of a workplace determination with enterprise agreements etc.                441

279........................ Act applies to a workplace determination as if it were an enterprise agreement        442

Division 7—Other matters                                                                                     444

280........................ Contravening a workplace determination........................ 444

281........................ Applications by bargaining representatives..................... 444

281AA.................. Entitlement for volunteer bodies to make submissions... 444

281A..................... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described          445

Part 2‑6—Minimum wages                                                                                           446

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        446

282........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 446

283........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 447

Division 2—Overarching provisions                                                                448

284........................ The minimum wages objective........................................ 448

Division 3—Annual wage reviews                                                                     450

Subdivision A—Main provisions                                                                        450

285........................ Annual wage reviews to be conducted............................ 450

286........................ When annual wage review determinations varying modern awards come into operation         450

287........................ When national minimum wage orders come into operation etc.                451

Subdivision B—Provisions about conduct of annual wage reviews          453

288........................ General........................................................................... 453

289........................ Everyone to have a reasonable opportunity to make and comment on submissions 453

290........................ President may direct investigations and reports.............. 454

291........................ Research must be published............................................ 455

292........................ Varied wage rates must be published.............................. 455

Division 4—National minimum wage orders                                               456

293........................ Contravening a national minimum wage order................ 456

294........................ Content of national minimum wage order—main provisions 456

295........................ Content of national minimum wage order—other matters 457

296........................ Variation of national minimum wage order to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error             458

297........................ When determinations varying national minimum wage orders come into operation 458

298........................ Special rule about retrospective variations of national minimum wage orders          459

299........................ When a national minimum wage order is in operation.... 460

Part 2‑7—Equal remuneration                                                                                  461

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        461

300........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 461

301........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 461

Division 2—Equal remuneration orders                                                        462

302........................ FWC may make an order requiring equal remuneration.. 462

303........................ Equal remuneration order may increase, but must not reduce, rates of remuneration               464

304........................ Equal remuneration order may implement equal remuneration in stages  464

305........................ Contravening an equal remuneration order..................... 464

306........................ Inconsistency with modern awards, enterprise agreements and orders of the FWC 464

Part 2‑8—Transfer of business                                                                                  465

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        465

307........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 465

308........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 465

309........................ Object of this Part........................................................... 466

Division 2—Transfer of instruments                                                                467

310........................ Application of this Division............................................ 467

311........................ When does a transfer of business occur.......................... 467

312........................ Instruments that may transfer.......................................... 469

313........................ Transferring employees and new employer covered by transferable instrument      469

314........................ New non‑transferring employees of new employer may be covered by transferable instrument              470

315........................ Organisations covered by transferable instrument.......... 471

316........................ Transferring employees who are high income employees 472

Division 3—Powers of the FWC                                                                         474

317........................ FWC may make orders in relation to a transfer of business 474

318........................ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and transferring employees                474

319........................ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and non‑transferring employees         476

320........................ Variation of transferable instruments.............................. 478

Part 2‑9—Other terms and conditions of employment                               480

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        480

321........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 480

322........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 480

Division 2—Payment of wages etc.                                                                   481

323........................ Method and frequency of payment................................. 481

324........................ Permitted deductions....................................................... 482

325........................ Unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amount....... 482

326........................ Certain terms have no effect............................................ 483

327........................ Things given or provided, and amounts required to be spent or paid, in contravention of this Division  484

Division 3—Guarantee of annual earnings                                                   485

328........................ Employer obligations in relation to guarantee of annual earnings             485

329........................ High income employee................................................... 486

330........................ Guarantee of annual earnings and annual rate of guarantee 487

331........................ Guaranteed period........................................................... 488

332........................ Earnings.......................................................................... 488

333........................ High income threshold.................................................... 489

333A..................... Prospective employees.................................................... 490

Division 4—Prohibiting pay secrecy                                                                491

333B...................... Employees not subject to pay secrecy............................. 491

333C...................... Pay secrecy terms to have no effect................................ 492

333D..................... Prohibition on pay secrecy terms.................................... 492

Chapter 3—Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc.                                                                                                                       493

Part 3‑1—General protections                                                                                   493

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        493

334........................ Guide to this Part............................................................ 493

335........................ Meanings of employee and employer.............................. 493

336........................ Objects of this Part......................................................... 494

Division 2—Application of this Part                                                                 495

337........................ Application of this Part................................................... 495

338........................ Action to which this Part applies.................................... 495

339........................ Additional effect of this Part........................................... 496

Division 3—Workplace rights                                                                              498

340........................ Protection........................................................................ 498

341........................ Meaning of workplace right........................................... 498

342........................ Meaning of adverse action............................................. 500

343........................ Coercion......................................................................... 503

344........................ Undue influence or pressure........................................... 503

345........................ Misrepresentations.......................................................... 504

Division 4—Industrial activities                                                                          505

346........................ Protection........................................................................ 505

347........................ Meaning of engages in industrial activity....................... 505

348........................ Coercion......................................................................... 506

349........................ Misrepresentations.......................................................... 506

350........................ Inducements—membership action.................................. 507

Division 5—Other protections                                                                             508

351........................ Discrimination................................................................ 508

352........................ Temporary absence—illness or injury............................ 509

353........................ Bargaining services fees................................................. 509

354........................ Coverage by particular instruments................................. 510

355........................ Coercion—allocation of duties etc. to particular person.. 510

356........................ Objectionable terms........................................................ 511

Division 6—Sham arrangements                                                                        512

357........................ Misrepresenting employment as independent contracting arrangement    512

358........................ Dismissing to engage as independent contractor............. 512

359........................ Misrepresentation to engage as independent contractor.. 512

Division 7—Ancillary rules                                                                                   514

360........................ Multiple reasons for action............................................. 514

361........................ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise 514

362........................ Advising, encouraging, inciting or coercing action......... 514

363........................ Actions of industrial associations................................... 514

364........................ Unincorporated industrial associations........................... 516

Division 8—Compliance                                                                                          517

Subdivision A—Contraventions involving dismissal                                    517

365........................ Application for the FWC to deal with a dismissal dispute 517

366........................ Time for application........................................................ 517

367........................ Application fees.............................................................. 517

368........................ Dealing with a dismissal dispute (other than by arbitration) 518

369........................ Dealing with a dismissal dispute by arbitration............... 519

370........................ Taking a dismissal dispute to court................................. 520

Subdivision B—Other contraventions                                                              520

372........................ Application for the FWC to deal with a non‑dismissal dispute                520

373........................ Application fees.............................................................. 521

374........................ Conferences.................................................................... 521

375........................ Advice on general protections court application.............. 521

Subdivision C—Appeals and costs orders                                                        522

375A..................... Appeal rights.................................................................. 522

375B...................... Costs orders against parties............................................ 522

376........................ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................. 522

377........................ Applications for costs orders.......................................... 523

377A..................... Schedule of costs............................................................ 523

378........................ Contravening costs orders.............................................. 524

Part 3‑2—Unfair dismissal                                                                                           525

Division 1—Introduction                                                                                        525