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