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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
FAIR WORK BILL 2009
2008
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Presented and read a first time
Fair Work Bill 2008
No. , 2008
(Education, Employment and Workplace Relations)
A Bill for an Act relating to workplace re lations,
and for related purposes
i Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
Contents
Chapter 1--Introduction
1
Part 1-1--Introduction
1
Division 1--Preliminary
1
1
Short title ............................................................................................ 1
2
Commencement .................................................................................. 2
Division 2--Object of this Act
3
3
Object of this Act................................................................................ 3
Division 3--Guide to this Act
4
4
Guide to this Act ................................................................................. 4
5
Terms and conditions of employment (Chapter 2) ............................. 4
6
Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers,
organisations etc. (Chapter 3) ............................................................. 6
7
Compliance and enforcement (Chapter 4) .......................................... 7
8
Administration (Chapter 5)................................................................. 7
9
Miscellaneous (Chapter 6) .................................................................. 7
Part 1-2--Definitions
9
Division 1--Introduction
9
10
Guide to this Part ................................................................................ 9
11
Meanings of employee and employer ................................................. 9
Division 2--The Dictionary
10
12
The Dictionary .................................................................................. 10
Division 3--Definitions relating to the meanings of employee,
employer etc.
32
13
Meaning of national system employee.............................................. 32
14
Meaning of national system employer .............................................. 32
15
Ordinary meanings of employee and employer ................................ 33
Division 4--Other definitions
34
16
Meaning of base rate of pay ............................................................. 34
17
Meaning of child of a person ............................................................ 34
18
Meaning of full rate of pay ............................................................... 35
19
Meaning of industrial action ............................................................ 36
20
Meaning of ordinary hours of work for award/agreement free
employees ......................................................................................... 37
21
Meaning of pieceworker ................................................................... 38
22
Meanings of service and continuous service .................................... 39
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 ii
23
Meaning of small business employer ................................................ 41
Part 1-3--Application of this Act
43
Division 1--Introduction
43
24
Guide to this Part .............................................................................. 43
25
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................... 43
Division 2--Interaction with State and Territory laws
44
26
Act excludes State or Territory industrial laws ................................ 44
27
State and Territory laws that are not excluded by section 26 ........... 45
28
Act excludes prescribed State and Territory laws ............................ 47
29
Interaction of modern awards and enterprise agreements with
State and Territory laws.................................................................... 48
30
Act may exclude State and Territory laws etc. in other cases .......... 48
Division 3--Geographical application of this Act
49
31
Exclusion of persons etc. insufficiently connected with
Australia............................................................................................ 49
32
Regulations may modify application of this Act in certain
parts of Australia............................................................................... 49
33
Extension of this Act to the exclusive economic zone and the
continental shelf................................................................................ 50
34
Extension of this Act beyond the exclusive economic zone
and the continental shelf ................................................................... 51
35
Meanings of Australian employer and Australian-based
employee ........................................................................................... 52
36
Geographical application of offences ............................................... 53
Division 4--Miscellaneous
54
37
Act binds Crown ............................................................................... 54
38
Act not to apply so as to exceed Commonwealth power.................. 54
39
Acquisition of property..................................................................... 55
40
Interaction between fair work instruments and public sector
employment laws .............................................................................. 55
Chapter 2--Terms and conditions of employment
57
Part 2-1--Core provisions for this Chapter
57
Division 1--Introduction
57
41
Guide to this Part .............................................................................. 57
42
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................... 58
Division 2--Core provisions for this Chapter
59
Subdivision A--Terms and conditions of employment provided
under this Act
59
iii Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
43
Terms and conditions of employment provided under this
Act..................................................................................................... 59
Subdivision B--Terms and conditions of employment provided by
the National Employment Standards
60
44
Contravening the National Employment Standards ......................... 60
Subdivision C--Terms and conditions of employment provided by
a modern award
60
45
Contravening a modern award.......................................................... 60
46
The significance of a modern award applying to a person ............... 60
47
When a modern award applies to an employer, employee,
organisation or outworker entity....................................................... 61
48
When a modern award covers an employer, employee,
organisation or outworker entity....................................................... 62
49
When a modern award is in operation .............................................. 63
Subdivision D--Terms and conditions of employment provided by
an enterprise agreement
64
50
Contravening an enterprise agreement ............................................. 64
51
The significance of an enterprise agreement applying to a
person................................................................................................ 64
52
When an enterprise agreement applies to an employer,
employee or employee organisation ................................................. 64
53
When an enterprise agreement covers an employer,
employee or employee organisation ................................................. 65
54
When an enterprise agreement is in operation.................................. 66
Division 3--Interaction between the National Employment
Standards, modern awards and enterprise
agreements
67
Subdivision A--Interaction between the National Employment
Standards and a modern award or an enterprise
agreement
67
55
Interaction between the National Employment Standards and
a modern award or enterprise agreement .......................................... 67
56
Terms of a modern award or enterprise agreement
contravening section 55 have no effect ............................................ 69
Subdivision B--Interaction between modern awards and
enterprise agreements
69
57
Interaction between modern awards and enterprise
agreements ........................................................................................ 69
Subdivision C--Interaction between one or more enterprise
agreements
69
58
Only one enterprise agreement can apply to an employee ............... 69
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 iv
Part 2-2--The National Employme nt Standards
71
Division 1--Introduction
71
59
Guide to this Part .............................................................................. 71
60
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................... 71
Division 2--The National Employment Standards
72
61
The National Employment Standards are minimum standards
applying to employment of employees............................................. 72
Division 3--Maximum weekly hours
73
62
Maximum weekly hours ................................................................... 73
63
Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for
averaging of hours of work............................................................... 74
64
Averaging of hours of work for award/agreement free
employees ......................................................................................... 75
Division 4--Requests for flexible working arrangements
76
65
Requests for flexible working arrangements .................................... 76
66
State and Territory laws that are not excluded ................................. 77
Division 5--Parental leave and related entitlements
78
Subdivision A--General
78
67
General rule--employee must have completed at least 12
months of service .............................................................................. 78
68
General rule for adoption-related leave--child must be under
16 etc................................................................................................. 80
69
Transfer of employment situations in which employee is
entitled to continue on leave etc. ...................................................... 80
Subdivision B--Parental leave
81
70
Entitlement to unpaid parental leave ................................................ 81
71
The period of leave--other than for members of an employee
couple who each intend to take leave ............................................... 81
72
The period of leave--members of an employee couple who
each intend to take leave................................................................... 82
73
Pregnant employee may be required to take unpaid parental
leave within 6 weeks before the birth ............................................... 84
74
Notice and evidence requirements.................................................... 86
75
Extending period of unpaid parental leave--extending to use
more of available parental leave period ............................................ 87
76
Extending period of unpaid parental leave--extending for up
to 12 months beyond available parental leave period ....................... 88
77
Reducing period of unpaid parental leave ........................................ 90
78
Employee who ceases to have responsibility for care of child ......... 90
79
Interaction with paid leave................................................................ 90
v Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
Subdivision C--Other entitlements
91
80
Unpaid special maternity leave......................................................... 91
81
Transfer to a safe job ........................................................................ 92
82
Employee on paid no safe job leave may be asked to provide
a further medical certificate .............................................................. 93
83
Consultation with employee on unpaid parental leave ..................... 94
84
Return to work guarantee.................................................................. 95
85
Unpaid pre-adoption leave................................................................ 95
Division 6--Annual leave
97
86
Division applies to employees other than casual employees............ 97
87
Entitlement to annual leave .............................................................. 97
88
Taking paid annual leave .................................................................. 98
89
Employee not taken to be on paid annual leave at certain
times.................................................................................................. 99
90
Payment for annual leave.................................................................. 99
91
Transfer of employment situations that affect entitlement to
payment for period of untaken paid annual leave............................. 99
92
Paid annual leave must not be cashed out except in
accordance with permitted cashing out terms................................. 100
93
Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms
relating to cashing out and taking paid annual leave ...................... 100
94
Cashing out and taking paid annual leave for
award/agreement free employees ................................................... 101
Division 7--Personal/carer's leave and compassionate leave
103
Subdivision A--Paid personal/carer's leave
103
95
Subdivision applies to employees other than casual
employees ....................................................................................... 103
96
Entitlement to paid personal/carer's leave...................................... 103
97
Taking paid personal/carer's leave ................................................. 103
98
Employee taken not to be on paid personal/carer's leave on
public holiday ................................................................................. 104
99
Payment for paid personal/carer's leave......................................... 104
100
Paid personal/carer's leave must not be cashed out except in
accordance with permitted cashing out terms................................. 104
101
Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms
relating to cashing out paid personal/carer's leave......................... 104
Subdivision B--Unpaid carer's leave
105
102
Entitlement to unpaid carer's leave ................................................ 105
103
Taking unpaid carer's leave............................................................ 105
Subdivision C--Compassionate leave
105
104
Entitlement to compassionate leave................................................ 105
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 vi
105
Taking compassionate leave ........................................................... 106
106
Payment for compassionate leave (other than for casual
employees) ...................................................................................... 106
Subdivision D--Notice and evidence requirements
107
107
Notice and evidence requirements.................................................. 107
Division 8--Community service leave
109
108
Entitlement to be absent from employment for engaging in
eligible community service activity................................................ 109
109
Meaning of eligible community service activity ............................. 109
110
Notice and evidence requirements.................................................. 111
111
Payment to employees (other than casuals) on jury service ........... 111
112
State and Territory laws that are not excluded ............................... 113
Division 9--Long service leave
114
113
Entitlement to long service leave.................................................... 114
Division 10--Public holidays
116
114
Entitlement to be absent from employment on public holiday....... 116
115
Meaning of public holiday.............................................................. 117
116
Payment for absence on public holiday .......................................... 118
Division 11--Notice of termination and redundancy pay
119
Subdivision A--Notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice
119
117
Requirement for notice of termination or payment in lieu ............. 119
118
Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for
notice of termination by employees................................................ 120
Subdivision B--Redundancy pay
120
119
Redundancy pay.............................................................................. 120
120
Variation of redundancy pay for other employment or
incapacity to pay ............................................................................. 121
121
Exclusions from obligation to pay redundancy pay ....................... 122
122
Transfer of employment situations that affect the obligation
to pay redundancy pay .................................................................... 122
Subdivision C--Limits on scope of this Division
123
123
Limits on scope of this Division ..................................................... 123
Division 12--Fair Work Information Statement
126
124
FWA to determine and publish Fair Work Information
Statement ........................................................................................ 126
125
Giving new employees the Fair Work Information Statement ....... 126
vii Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
Division 13--Miscellaneous
127
126
M odern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for
school-based apprentices and trainees to be paid loadings in
lieu .................................................................................................. 127
127
Regulations about what modern awards and enterprise
agreements can do........................................................................... 127
128
Relationship between National Employment Standards and
agreements etc. permitted by this Part for award/agreement
free employees ................................................................................ 127
129
Regulations about what can be agreed to etc. in relation to
award/agreement free employees ................................................... 128
130
Restriction on taking or accruing leave or absence while
receiving workers' compensation ................................................... 128
131
Relationship with other Commonwealth laws ................................ 129
Part 2-3--Modern awards
130
Division 1--Introduction
130
132
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 130
133
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 131
Division 2--Overarching provisions
132
134
The modern awards objective ......................................................... 132
135
Special provisions relating to modern award minimum
wages .............................................................................................. 133
Division 3--Terms of modern awards
134
Subdivision A--Preliminary
134
136
What can be included in modern awards ........................................ 134
137
Terms that contravene section 136 have no effect.......................... 135
138
Achieving the modern awards objective......................................... 135
Subdivision B--Terms that may be included in modern awards
135
139
Terms that may be included in modern awards--general .............. 135
140
Outworker terms ............................................................................. 136
141
Industry-specific redundancy schemes ........................................... 137
142
Incidental and machinery terms...................................................... 138
Subdivision C--Terms that must be included in modern awards
138
143
Coverage terms ............................................................................... 138
144
Flexibility terms.............................................................................. 140
145
Effect of individual flexibility arrangement that does not
meet requirements of flexibility term ............................................. 141
146
Terms about settling disputes ......................................................... 142
147
Ordinary hours of work .................................................................. 142
148
Base and full rates of pay for pieceworkers.................................... 142
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 viii
149
Automatic variation of allowances ................................................. 143
Subdivision D--Terms that must not be included in modern
awards
143
150
Objectionable terms ........................................................................ 143
151
Terms about payments and deductions for benefit of
employer etc.................................................................................... 143
152
Terms about right of entry .............................................................. 143
153
Terms that are discriminatory ......................................................... 143
154
Terms that contain State-based differences .................................... 144
155
Terms dealing with long service leave ........................................... 145
Division 4--4 yearly reviews of modern awards
146
156
4 yearly reviews of modern awards to be conducted...................... 146
Division 5--Exercising modern award powers outside 4 yearly
reviews and annual wage reviews
148
Subdivision A--Exercise of powers if necessary to achieve modern
awards objective
148
157
FWA may vary etc. modern awards if necessary to achieve
modern awards objective ................................................................ 148
158
Applications to vary, revoke or make modern award ..................... 149
Subdivision B--Other situations
151
159
Variation of modern award to update or omit name of
employer, organisation or outworker entity.................................... 151
160
Variation of modern award to remove ambiguity or
uncertainty or correct error ............................................................. 152
161
Variation of modern award on referral by HREOC........................ 152
Division 6--General provisions relating to modern award
powers
153
162
General............................................................................................ 153
163
Special criteria relating to changing coverage of modern
awards ............................................................................................. 153
164
Special criteria for revoking modern awards .................................. 154
165
When variation determinations come into operation, other
than determinations setting, varying or revoking modern
award minimum wages ................................................................... 154
166
When variation determinations setting, varying or revoking
modern award minimum wages come into operation..................... 155
167
Special rules relating to retrospective variations of awards ........... 156
168
Varied modern award must be published ....................................... 157
ix Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
Part 2-4--Ente rprise agreements
158
Division 1--Introduction
158
169
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 158
170
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 159
171
Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 159
Division 2--Employers and employees may make enterprise
agreements
161
172
Making an enterprise agreement..................................................... 161
Division 3--Bargaining and representation during bargaining
163
173
Notice of employee representational rights .................................... 163
174
Content of notice of employee representational rights ................... 164
175
Relevant employee organisations to be given notice of
employer's intention to make greenfields agreements etc.............. 165
176
Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise
agreements that are not greenfields agreements ............................. 166
177
Bargaining representatives for proposed greenfields
agreements ...................................................................................... 168
178
Appointment of bargaining representatives--other matters........... 168
179
Employer etc. must not refuse to recognise or bargain with
other bargaining representatives ..................................................... 169
Division 4--Approval of enterprise agreements
170
Subdivision A--Pre-approval steps and applications for FWA
approval
170
180
Employees must be given a copy of a proposed enterprise
agreement etc. ................................................................................. 170
181
Employers may request employees to approve a proposed
enterprise agreement ....................................................................... 171
182
When an enterprise agreement is made .......................................... 172
183
Entitlement of an employee organisation to have an
enterprise agreement cover it .......................................................... 173
184
Multi-enterprise agreement to be varied if not all employees
approve the agreement .................................................................... 173
185
Bargaining representative must apply for FWA approval of
an enterprise agreement .................................................................. 174
Subdivision B--Approval of enterprise agreements by FWA
175
186
When FWA must approve an enterprise agreement--general
requirements ................................................................................... 175
187
When FWA must approve an enterprise agreement--
additional requirements .................................................................. 177
188
When employees have genuinely agreed to an enterprise
agreement........................................................................................ 177
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 x
189
FWA may approve an enterprise agreement that does not
pass better off overall test--public interest test.............................. 178
190
FWA may approve an enterprise agreement with
undertakings .................................................................................... 179
191
Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 180
192
When FWA may refuse to approve an enterprise agreement ......... 180
Subdivision C--Better off overall test
181
193
Passing the better off overall test.................................................... 181
Subdivision D--Unlawful terms
182
194
Meaning of unlawful term .............................................................. 182
195
Meaning of discriminatory term ..................................................... 183
Subdivision E--Approval requirements relating to particular
kinds of employees
184
196
Shiftworkers.................................................................................... 184
197
Pieceworkers--enterprise agreement includes pieceworker
term ................................................................................................. 184
198
Pieceworkers--enterprise agreement does not include a
pieceworker term ............................................................................ 185
199
School-based apprentices and school-based trainees ..................... 185
200
Outworkers ..................................................................................... 186
Subdivision F--Other matters
186
201
Approval decision to note certain matters ...................................... 186
Division 5--Mandatory terms of enterprise agreements
188
202
Enterprise agreements to include a flexibility term etc. ................. 188
203
Requirements to be met by a flexibility term ................................. 189
204
Effect of arrangement that does not meet requirements of
flexibility term ................................................................................ 190
205
Enterprise agreements to include a consultation term etc. ............. 191
Division 6--Base rate of pay under enterprise agreements
193
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.......................................................................... 193
Division 7--Variation and termination of enterprise agreements
195
Subdivision A--Variation of enterprise agreements by employers
and employees
195
207
Variation of an enterprise agreement may be made by
employers and employees............................................................... 195
208
Employers may request employees to approve a proposed
variation of an enterprise agreement............................................... 196
209
When a variation of an enterprise agreement is made .................... 196
xi Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
210
Application for FWA approval of a variation of an enterprise
agreement........................................................................................ 197
211
When FWA must approve a variation of an enterprise
agreement........................................................................................ 197
212
FWA may approve a variation of an enterprise agreement
with undertakings............................................................................ 199
213
Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 200
214
When FWA may refuse to approve a variation of an
enterprise agreement ....................................................................... 201
215
Approval decision to note undertakings ......................................... 201
216
When variation comes into operation ............................................. 201
Subdivision B--Variations of enterprise agreements where there
is ambiguity, uncertainty or discrimination
201
217
Variation of an enterprise agreement to remove an ambiguity
or uncertainty .................................................................................. 201
218
Variation of an enterprise agreement on referral by HREOC ........ 202
Subdivision C--Termination of enterprise agreements by
employers and employees
203
219
Employers and employees may agree to terminate an
enterprise agreement ....................................................................... 203
220
Employers may request employees to approve a proposed
termination of an enterprise agreement .......................................... 203
221
When termination of an enterprise agreement is agreed to ............ 204
222
Application for FWA approval of a termination of an
enterprise agreement ....................................................................... 204
223
When FWA must approve a termination of an enterprise
agreement........................................................................................ 205
224
When termination comes into operation......................................... 205
Subdivision D--Termination of enterprise agreements after
nominal expiry date
206
225
Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after
its nominal expiry date.................................................................... 206
226
When FWA must terminate an enterprise agreement ..................... 206
227
When termination comes into operation......................................... 206
Division 8--FWA's general role in facilitating bargaining
207
Subdivision A--Bargaining orders
207
228
Bargaining representatives must meet the good faith
bargaining requirements ................................................................. 207
229
Applications for bargaining orders ................................................. 207
230
When FWA may make a bargaining order ..................................... 209
231
What a bargaining order must specify ............................................ 210
232
Operation of a bargaining order...................................................... 211
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xii
233
Contravening a bargaining order .................................................... 212
Subdivision B--Serious breach declarations
212
234
Applications for serious breach declarations .................................. 212
235
When FWA may make a serious breach declaration ...................... 212
Subdivision C--Majority support determinations and scope
orders
214
236
Majority support determinations..................................................... 214
237
When FWA must make a majority support determination ............. 214
238
Scope orders.................................................................................... 215
239
Operation of a scope order.............................................................. 217
Subdivision D--FWA may deal with a bargaining dispute on
request
218
240
Application for FWA to deal with a bargaining dispute................. 218
Division 9--Low-paid bargaining
219
241
Objects of this Division .................................................................. 219
242
Low-paid authorisations ................................................................. 219
243
When FWA must make a low-paid authorisation........................... 220
244
Variation of low-paid authorisations--general .............................. 222
245
Variation of low-paid authorisations--enterprise agreement
etc. comes into operation ................................................................ 223
246
FWA assistance for the low-paid.................................................... 223
Division 10--Single interest employer authorisations
224
Subdivision A--Declaration that employers may bargain together
for a proposed enterprise agreement
224
247
Ministerial declaration that employers may bargain together
for a proposed enterprise agreement ............................................... 224
Subdivision B--Single interest employer authorisations
225
248
Single interest employer authorisations.......................................... 225
249
When FWA must make a single interest employer
authorisation ................................................................................... 225
250
What a single interest employer authorisation must specify .......... 226
251
Variation of single interest employer authorisations ...................... 227
252
Variation to extend period single interest employer
authorisation is in operation............................................................ 228
Division 11--Other matters
229
253
Terms of an enterprise agreement that are of no effect .................. 229
254
Applications by bargaining representatives.................................... 229
255
Part does not empower FWA to make certain orders ..................... 230
256
Prospective employers and employees ........................................... 230
xiii Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
257
Enterprise agreements may incorporate material in force
from time to time etc....................................................................... 230
Part 2-5--Workplace determinations
231
Division 1--Introduction
231
258
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 231
259
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 232
Division 2--Low-paid workplace determinations
233
260
Applications for low-paid workplace determinations..................... 233
261
When FWA must make a consent low-paid workplace
determination .................................................................................. 234
262
When FWA must make a special low-paid workplace
determination--general requirements ............................................ 234
263
When FWA must make a special low-paid workplace
determination--additional requirements ........................................ 236
264
Terms etc. of a low-paid workplace determination ........................ 236
265
No other terms ................................................................................ 237
Division 3--Industrial action related workplace determinations
238
266
When FWA must make an industrial action related
workplace determination ................................................................ 238
267
Terms etc. of an industrial action related workplace
determination .................................................................................. 239
268
No other terms ................................................................................ 240
Division 4--Bargaining related workplace determinations
241
269
When FWA must make a bargaining related workplace
determination .................................................................................. 241
270
Terms etc. of a bargaining related workplace determination ......... 242
271
No other terms ................................................................................ 243
Division 5--Core terms, mandatory terms and agreed terms of
workplace determinations etc.
244
272
Core terms of workplace determinations ........................................ 244
273
Mandatory terms of workplace determinations .............................. 245
274
Agreed terms for workplace determinations................................... 246
275
Factors FWA must take into account in deciding terms of a
workplace determination ................................................................ 246
Division 6--Operation, coverage and interaction etc. of
workplace determinations
248
276
When a workplace determination operates etc. .............................. 248
277
Employers, employees and employee organisations covered
by a workplace determination......................................................... 248
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xiv
278
Interaction of a workplace determination with enterprise
agreements etc. ............................................................................... 249
279
Act applies to a workplace determination as if it were an
enterprise agreement ....................................................................... 250
Division 7--Other matters
251
280
Contravening a workplace determination ....................................... 251
281
Applications by bargaining representatives.................................... 251
Part 2-6--Minimum wages
252
Division 1--Introduction
252
282
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 252
283
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 253
Division 2--Overarching provisions
254
284
The minimum wages objective ....................................................... 254
Division 3--Annual wage reviews
256
Subdivision A--Main provisions
256
285
Annual wage reviews to be conducted ........................................... 256
286
When annual wage review determinations varying modern
awards come into operation ............................................................ 256
287
When national minimum wage orders come into operation ........... 257
Subdivision B--Provisions about conduct of annual wage reviews
258
288
General............................................................................................ 258
289
Everyone to have a reasonable opportunity to make and
comment on submissions ................................................................ 258
290
President may direct investigations and reports ............................. 259
291
Research must be published............................................................ 259
292
Varied wage rates must be published by 1 July.............................. 259
Division 4--National minimum wage orders
260
293
Contravening a national minimum wage order .............................. 260
294
Content of national minimum wage order--main provisions ........ 260
295
Content of national minimum wage order--other matters ............. 261
296
Variation of national minimum wage order to remove
ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error........................................ 262
297
When determinations varying national minimum wage
orders come into operation ............................................................. 262
298
Special rule about retrospective variations of national
minimum wage orders .................................................................... 263
299
When a national minimum wage order is in operation ................... 263
xv Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
Part 2-7--Equal remuneration
264
Division 1--Introduction
264
300
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 264
301
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 264
Division 2--Equal remuneration orders
265
302
FWA may make an order requiring equal remuneration ................ 265
303
Equal remuneration order may increase, but must not reduce,
rates of remuneration ...................................................................... 266
304
Equal remuneration order may implement equal
remuneration in stages .................................................................... 266
305
Contravening an equal remuneration order .................................... 266
306
Inconsistency with modern awards, enterprise agreements
and orders of FWA ......................................................................... 266
Part 2-8--Transfer of business
267
Division 1--Introduction
267
307
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 267
308
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 267
309
Object of this Part ........................................................................... 267
Division 2--Transfer of instruments
269
310
Application of this Division............................................................ 269
311
When does a transfer of business occur.......................................... 269
312
Instruments that may transfer ......................................................... 271
313
Transferring employees and new employer covered by
transferable instrument ................................................................... 271
314
New non-transferring employees of new employer may be
covered by transferable instrument................................................. 272
315
Organisations covered by transferable instrument ......................... 272
316
Transferring employees who are high income employees ............. 273
Division 3--Powers of FWA
275
317
FWA may make orders in relation to a transfer of business........... 275
318
Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and
transferring employees.................................................................... 275
319
Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and
non-transferring employees ............................................................ 276
320
Variation of transferable instruments ............................................. 278
Part 2-9--Other terms and condition of employment
280
Division 1--Introduction
280
321
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 280
322
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 280
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xvi
Division 2--Payment of wages
281
323
Method and frequency of payment ................................................. 281
324
Permitted deductions ...................................................................... 282
325
Unreasonable requirements to spend amount ................................. 282
326
Certain terms have no effect ........................................................... 283
327
Things given or provided, and amounts required to be spent,
in contravention of this Division .................................................... 283
Division 3--Guarantee of annual earnings
285
328
Employer obligations in relation to guarantee of annual
earnings ........................................................................................... 285
329
High income employee ................................................................... 286
330
Guarantee of annual earnings and annual rate of guarantee ........... 286
331
Guaranteed period........................................................................... 287
332
Earnings .......................................................................................... 288
333
High income threshold.................................................................... 289
Chapter 3--Rights and responsibilities of employees,
employers, organisations etc.
290
Part 3-1--General protections
290
Division 1--Introduction
290
334
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 290
335
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 290
336
Objects of this Part.......................................................................... 291
Division 2--Application of this Part
292
337
Application of this Part ................................................................... 292
338
Action to which this Part applies .................................................... 292
339
Additional effect of this Part........................................................... 293
Division 3--Workplace rights
295
340
Protection ........................................................................................ 295
341
Meaning of workplace right ........................................................... 295
342
Meaning of adverse action ............................................................. 297
343
Coercion.......................................................................................... 299
344
Undue influence or pressure ........................................................... 300
345
Misrepresentations .......................................................................... 300
Division 4--Industrial activities
301
346
Protection ........................................................................................ 301
347
Meaning of engages in industrial activity ...................................... 301
348
Coercion.......................................................................................... 302
349
Misrepresentations .......................................................................... 302
xvii Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
350
Inducements--membership action ................................................. 303
Division 5--Other protections
304
351
Discrimination ................................................................................ 304
352
Temporary absence--illness or injury............................................ 305
353
Bargaining services fees ................................................................. 305
354
Coverage by particular instruments ................................................ 306
355
Coercion--allocation of duties etc. to particular person ................ 306
356
Objectionable terms ........................................................................ 307
Division 6--Sham arrangements
308
357
Misrepresenting employment as independent contracting
arrangement .................................................................................... 308
358
Dismissing to engage as independent contractor............................ 308
359
Misrepresentation to engage as independent contractor ................. 308
Division 7--Ancillary rules
310
360
Multiple reasons for action ............................................................. 310
361
Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise ........... 310
362
Advising, encouraging, inciting or coercing action ........................ 310
363
Actions of industrial associations ................................................... 310
364
Unincorporated industrial associations........................................... 312
Division 8--Compliance
313
Subdivision A--Contraventions involving dismissal
313
365
Application for FWA to deal with a dispute................................... 313
366
Time for application ....................................................................... 313
367
Application fees .............................................................................. 313
368
Conferences .................................................................................... 314
369
Certificate if dispute not resolved................................................... 314
370
Advice on general protections court application ............................ 314
371
General protections court applications ........................................... 315
Subdivision B--Other contraventions
315
372
Application for FWA to deal with a dispute................................... 315
373
Application fees .............................................................................. 315
374
Conferences .................................................................................... 316
375
Advice on general protections court application ............................ 316
Subdivision C--Conference costs
316
376
Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 316
377
Applications for costs orders .......................................................... 317
378
Contravening costs orders............................................................... 317
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xviii
Part 3-2--Unfair dismissal
318
Division 1--Introduction
318
379
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 318
380
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 318
381
Object of this Part ........................................................................... 318
Division 2--Protection from unfair dismissal
320
382
When a person is protected from unfair dismissal.......................... 320
383
Meaning of minimum employment period ...................................... 320
384
Period of employment..................................................................... 320
Division 3--What is an unfair dismissal
322
385
What is an unfair dismissal............................................................. 322
386
Meaning of dismissed ..................................................................... 322
387
Criteria for considering harshness etc............................................. 323
388
The Small Business Fair Dismissal Code ....................................... 324
389
Meaning of genuine redundancy .................................................... 324
Division 4--Remedies for unfair dismissal
325
390
When FWA may order remedy for unfair dismissal ...................... 325
391
Remedy--reinstatement etc............................................................ 325
392
Remedy--compensation................................................................. 326
393
Monetary orders may be in instalments.......................................... 328
Division 5--Procedural matters
329
394
Application for unfair dismissal remedy ........................................ 329
395
Application fees .............................................................................. 329
396
Initial matters to be considered before merits................................. 330
397
Matters involving contested facts ................................................... 330
398
Conferences .................................................................................... 330
399
Hearings .......................................................................................... 331
400
Appeal rights................................................................................... 331
401
Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 331
402
Applications for costs orders .......................................................... 332
403
Schedule of costs ............................................................................ 332
404
Security for costs ............................................................................ 333
405
Contravening orders under this Part ............................................... 333
Part 3-3--Industrial action
334
Division 1--Introduction
334
406
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 334
407
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 335
xix Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
Division 2--Protected industrial action
336
Subdivision A--What is protected industrial action
336
408
Protected industrial action .............................................................. 336
409
Employee claim action ................................................................... 336
410
Employee response action .............................................................. 338
411
Employer response action............................................................... 338
412
Pattern bargaining ........................................................................... 339
Subdivision B--Common requirements for industrial action to be
protected industrial action
340
413
Common requirements that apply for industrial action to be
protected industrial action............................................................... 340
414
Notice requirements for industrial action ....................................... 341
Subdivision C--Significance of industrial action being protected
industrial action
343
415
Immunity provision ........................................................................ 343
416
Employer response action--employer may refuse to make
payments to employees................................................................... 343
Division 3--No industrial action before nominal expiry date of
enterprise agreement etc.
344
417
Industrial action must not be organised or engaged in before
nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc. ........................... 344
Division 4--FWA orders stopping etc. industrial action
346
418
FWA must order that industrial action by employees or
employers stop etc. ......................................................................... 346
419
FWA must order that industrial action by non-national
system employees or non-national system employers stop
etc.................................................................................................... 347
420
Interim orders etc. ........................................................................... 348
421
Contravening an order etc............................................................... 348
Division 5--Injunction against industrial action if pattern
bargaining is being engaged in
350
422
Injunction against industrial action if a bargaining
representative is engaging in pattern bargaining ............................ 350
Division 6--Suspension or termination of protected industrial
action by FWA
351
423
FWA may suspend or terminate protected industrial action--
significant economic harm etc. ....................................................... 351
424
FWA must suspend or terminate protected industrial
action--endangering life etc........................................................... 353
425
FWA must suspend protected industrial action--cooling off ........ 354
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xx
426
FWA must suspend protected industrial action--significant
harm to a third party ....................................................................... 354
427
FWA must specify the period of suspension .................................. 355
428
Extension of a period of suspension ............................................... 356
429
Employee claim action without a further protected action
ballot after a period of suspension etc. ........................................... 356
430
Notice of employee claim action engaged in after a period of
suspension etc. ................................................................................ 357
Division 7--Ministerial declarations
359
431
Ministerial declaration terminating industrial action ...................... 359
432
Informing people of declaration ..................................................... 359
433
Ministerial directions to remove or reduce threat ........................... 359
434
Contravening a Ministerial direction .............................................. 360
Division 8--Protected action ballots
361
Subdivision A--Introduction
361
435
Guide to this Division ..................................................................... 361
436
Object of this Division.................................................................... 361
Subdivision B--Protected action ballot orders
362
437
Application for a protected action ballot order............................... 362
438
Restriction on when application may be made ............................... 363
439
Joint applications ............................................................................ 363
440
Notice of application....................................................................... 363
441
Application to be determined within 2 days after it is made .......... 364
442
Dealing with multiple applications together................................... 364
443
When FWA must make a protected action ballot order ................. 364
444
FWA may decide on ballot agent other than the Australian
Electoral Commission and independent advisor............................. 365
445
Notice of protected action ballot order ........................................... 366
446
Protected action ballot order may require 2 or more protected
action ballots to be held at the same time ....................................... 366
447
Variation of protected action ballot order....................................... 367
448
Revocation of protected action ballot order.................................... 367
Subdivision C--Conduct of protected action ballot
368
449
Protected action ballot to be conducted by Australian
Electoral Commission or other specified ballot agent .................... 368
450
Directions for conduct of protected action ballot ........................... 368
451
Timetable for protected action ballot.............................................. 369
452
Compilation of roll of voters .......................................................... 370
453
Who is eligible to be included on the roll of voters........................ 370
454
Variation of roll of voters ............................................................... 371
xxi Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
455
Protected action ballot papers ......................................................... 372
456
Who may vote in protected action ballot ........................................ 373
457
Results of protected action ballot ................................................... 373
458
Report about conduct of protected action ballot............................. 373
Subdivision D--Effect of protected action ballot
375
459
Circumstances in which industrial action is authorised by
protected action ballot..................................................................... 375
460
Immunity for persons who act in good faith on protected
action ballot results ......................................................................... 376
461
Validity of protected action ballot etc. not affected by
technical breaches ........................................................................... 376
Subdivision E--Compliance
377
462
Interferences etc. with protected action ballot ................................ 377
463
Contravening a protected action ballot order etc. ........................... 379
Subdivision F--Liability for costs of protected action ballot
379
464
Costs of protected action ballot conducted by the Australian
Electoral Commission..................................................................... 379
465
Costs of protected action ballot conducted by protected
action ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral
Commission .................................................................................... 380
466
Costs of legal challenges ................................................................ 380
Subdivision G--Miscellaneous
381
467
Information about employees on roll of voters not to be
disclosed ......................................................................................... 381
468
Records ........................................................................................... 381
469
Regulations ..................................................................................... 382
Division 9--Payments relating to periods of industrial action
383
Subdivision A--Protected industrial action
383
470
Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of
industrial action .............................................................................. 383
471
Payments relating to partial work bans........................................... 384
472
Orders by FWA relating to certain partial work bans..................... 386
473
Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of
industrial action .............................................................................. 386
Subdivision B--Industrial action that is not protected industrial
action
387
474
Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of
industrial action .............................................................................. 387
475
Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of
industrial action .............................................................................. 388
Subdivision C--Miscellaneous
388
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xxii
476
Other responses to industrial action unaffected .............................. 388
Division 10--Other matters
389
477
Applications by bargaining representatives.................................... 389
Part 3-4--Right of entry
390
Division 1--Introduction
390
478
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 390
479
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 390
480
Object of this Part ........................................................................... 390
Division 2--Entry rights under this Act
392
Subdivision A--Entry to investigate suspected contravention
392
481
Entry to investigate suspected contravention ................................. 392
482
Rights that may be exercised while on premises ............................ 392
483
Later access to record or document ................................................ 393
Subdivision B--Entry to hold discussions
394
484
Entry to hold discussions ................................................................ 394
485
Conscientious objection certificates ............................................... 394
Subdivision C--Requirements for permit holders
395
486
Permit holder must not contravene this Subdivision ...................... 395
487
Giving entry notice or exemption certificate .................................. 396
488
Contravening entry permit conditions ............................................ 396
489
Producing authority documents ...................................................... 396
490
When right may be exercised ......................................................... 397
491
Occupational health and safety requirements ................................. 397
492
Conduct of interviews in particular room etc. ................................ 397
493
Residential premises ....................................................................... 398
Division 3--State or Territory OHS rights
399
494
Official must be permit holder to exercise State or Territory
OHS right ........................................................................................ 399
495
Giving notice of entry ..................................................................... 400
496
Contravening entry permit conditions ............................................ 401
497
Producing entry permit ................................................................... 401
498
When right may be exercised ......................................................... 401
499
Occupational health and safety requirements ................................. 401
Division 4--Prohibitions
402
500
Permit holder must not hinder or obstruct ...................................... 402
501
Person must not refuse or delay entry............................................. 402
502
Person must not hinder or obstruct permit holder .......................... 402
503
Misrepresentations about things authorised by this Part ................ 402
xxiii Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
504
Unauthorised use or disclosure of employee records ..................... 403
Division 5--Powers of FWA
404
Subdivision A--Dealing with disputes
404
505
FWA may deal with a dispute about the operation of this
Part .................................................................................................. 404
506
Contravening order made to deal with dispute ............................... 405
Subdivision B--Taking action ag ainst permit holder
405
507
FWA may take action against permit holder .................................. 405
Subdivision C--Restricting rights of organisations and officials
where misuse of rights
405
508
FWA may restrict rights if organisation or official has
misused rights ................................................................................. 405
509
Contravening order made for misuse of rights ............................... 406
Subdivision D--When FWA must revoke or suspend entry
permits
407
510
When FWA must revoke or suspend entry permits........................ 407
Subdivision E--General rules for sus pending entry permits
408
511
General rules for suspending entry permits .................................... 408
Division 6--Entry permits, entry notices and certificates
409
Subdivision A--Entry permits
409
512
FWA may issue entry permits ........................................................ 409
513
Considering application .................................................................. 409
514
When FWA must not issue permit.................................................. 410
515
Conditions on entry permit ............................................................. 410
516
Expiry of entry permit .................................................................... 411
517
Return of entry permits to FWA ..................................................... 412
Subdivision B--Entry notices
412
518
Entry notice requirements............................................................... 412
Subdivision C--Exemption certificates
413
519
Exemption certificates .................................................................... 413
Subdivision D--Affected member certificates
414
520
Affected member certificates.......................................................... 414
Subdivision E--Miscellaneous
414
521
Regulations dealing with instruments under this Part .................... 414
Part 3-5--Stand down
416
Division 1--Introduction
416
522
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 416
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xxiv
523
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 416
Division 2--Circumstances allowing stand down
417
524
Employer may stand down employees in certain
circumstances .................................................................................. 417
525
Employee not stood down during a period of authorised
leave or absence .............................................................................. 417
Division 3--Dealing with disputes
419
526
FWA may deal with a dispute about the operation of this
Part .................................................................................................. 419
527
Contravening an FWA order dealing with a dispute about the
operation of this Part....................................................................... 419
Part 3-6--Other rights and responsibilities
420
Division 1--Introduction
420
528
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 420
529
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 420
Division 2--Notification and consultation relating to certain
dismissals
421
Subdivision A--Requirement to notify Centrelink
421
530
Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed dismissals....... 421
Subdivision B--Failure to notify or c onsult registered employee
associations
422
531
FWA may make orders where failure to notify or consult
registered employee associations about dismissals ........................ 422
532
Orders that FWA may make ........................................................... 423
533
Application for FWA order ............................................................ 424
Subdivision C--Limits on scope of this Division
424
534
Limits on scope of this Division ..................................................... 424
Division 3--Employer obligations in relation to employee
records and pay slips
426
535
Employer obligations in relation to employee records ................... 426
536
Employer obligations in relation to pay slips ................................. 426
Chapter 4--Compliance and enforcement
427
Part 4-1--Civil re medies
427
Division 1--Introduction
427
537
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 427
538
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 427
xxv Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
Division 2--Orders
428
Subdivision A--Applications for orders
428
539
Applications for orders in relation to contraventions of civil
remedy provisions........................................................................... 428
540
Limitations on who may apply for orders etc. ................................ 438
541
Applications for orders in relation to safety net contractual
entitlements..................................................................................... 440
542
Entitlements under contracts........................................................... 440
543
Applications for orders in relation to statutory entitlements
derived from contracts .................................................................... 441
544
Time limit on applications .............................................................. 441
Subdivision B--Orders
441
545
Orders that can be made by particular courts ................................. 441
546
Pecuniary penalty orders................................................................. 442
547
Interest up to judgment ................................................................... 443
Division 3--Small claims procedure
445
548
Plaintiffs may choose small claims procedure................................ 445
Division 4--General provisions relating to civil remedies
447
549
Contravening a civil remedy provision is not an offence ............... 447
550
Involvement in contravention treated in same way as actual
contravention .................................................................................. 447
551
Civil evidence and procedure rules for proceedings relating
to civil remedy provisions .............................................................. 447
552
Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings ................................. 447
553
Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings .............................. 448
554
Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings ................................. 448
555
Evidence given in proceedings for pecuniary penalty not
admissible in criminal proceedings ................................................ 448
556
Civil double jeopardy ..................................................................... 449
557
Course of conduct ........................................................................... 449
558
Regulations dealing with infringement notices .............................. 450
Division 5--Unclaimed money
451
559
Unclaimed money ........................................................................... 451
Part 4-2--Jurisdiction and powe rs of courts
452
Division 1--Introduction
452
560
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 452
561
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 452
Division 2--Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Court
453
562
Conferring jurisdiction on the Federal Court.................................. 453
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xxvi
563
Exercising jurisdiction in the Fair Work Division of the
Federal Court .................................................................................. 453
564
No limitation on Federal Court's powers ....................................... 454
565
Appeals from eligible State or Territory courts .............................. 454
Division 3--Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Magistrates
Court
455
566
Conferring jurisdiction on the Federal Magistrates Court .............. 455
567
Exercising jurisdiction in the Fair Work Division of the
Federal Magistrates Court............................................................... 455
568
No limitation on Federal Magistrates Court's powers.................... 455
Division 4--Miscellaneous
456
569
Minister's entitlement to intervene ................................................. 456
570
Costs only if proceedings instituted vexatiously etc....................... 456
571
No imprisonment for failure to pay pecuniary penalty................... 457
572
Regulations dealing with matters relating to court
proceedings ..................................................................................... 457
Chapter 5--Administration
458
Part 5-1--Fair Work Australia
458
Division 1--Introduction
458
573
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 458
574
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 459
Division 2--Establishment and functions of Fair Work Australia
460
Subdivision A--Es tablishment and functions of Fair Work
Australia
460
575
Establishment of Fair Work Australia ............................................ 460
576
Functions of FWA .......................................................................... 460
577
Performance of functions etc. by FWA .......................................... 461
578
Matters FWA must take into account in performing functions
etc.................................................................................................... 461
579
FWA has privileges and immunities of the Crown ........................ 462
580
Protection of FWA Members.......................................................... 462
Subdivision B--Functions and powers of the President
462
581
Functions of the President .............................................................. 462
582
Directions by the President ............................................................. 462
583
President not subject to direction.................................................... 463
584
Delegation of functions and powers of the President ..................... 463
Division 3--Conduct of matters before FWA
465
Subdivision A--Applications to FWA
465
xxvii Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
585
Applications in accordance with procedural rules .......................... 465
586
Correcting and amending applications and documents etc............. 465
587
Dismissing applications .................................................................. 465
588
Discontinuing applications ............................................................. 466
Subdivision B--Conduct of matters before FWA
466
589
Procedural and interim decisions .................................................... 466
590
Powers of FWA to inform itself ..................................................... 466
591
FWA not bound by rules of evidence and procedure ..................... 467
592
Conferences .................................................................................... 467
593
Hearings .......................................................................................... 467
594
Confidential evidence ..................................................................... 468
595
FWA's power to deal with disputes................................................ 469
Subdivision C--Representation by lawyers and paid agents and
Minister's entitlement to make submissions
469
596
Representation by lawyers and paid agents .................................... 469
597
Minister's entitlement to make submissions................................... 470
Subdivision D--Decisions of FWA
470
598
Decisions of FWA .......................................................................... 470
599
FWA not required to decide an application in terms applied
for.................................................................................................... 471
600
Determining matters in the absence of a person ............................. 471
601
Writing and publication requirements for FWA's decisions .......... 471
602
Correcting obvious errors etc. in relation to FWA's decisions ...... 472
603
Varying and revoking FWA's decisions......................................... 473
Subdivision E--Appeals, reviews and referring questions of law
474
604
Appeal of decisions......................................................................... 474
605
Minister's entitlement to apply for review of a decision ................ 474
606
Staying decisions that are appealed or reviewed ............................ 475
607
Process for appealing or reviewing decisions ................................. 475
608
Referring questions of law to the Federal Court............................. 476
Subdivision F--Miscellaneous
477
609
Procedural rules .............................................................................. 477
610
Regulations dealing with FWA matters.......................................... 477
611
Costs ............................................................................................... 478
Division 4--Organisation of FWA
479
Subdivision A--Functions etc. to be performed by a single FWA
Member, a Full Bench or the Minimum Wage
Panel
479
612
FWA functions etc. may generally be performed by single
FWA Member ................................................................................. 479
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xxviii
613
Appeal of decisions to be heard by a Full Bench, the
President or a Deputy President...................................................... 479
614
Review of decisions by a Full Bench ............................................. 480
615
FWA functions etc. performed by a Full Bench on direction
by the President............................................................................... 480
616
FWA functions etc. that must be performed by a Full Bench ........ 480
617
FWA functions etc. that must be performed by the Minimum
Wage Panel ..................................................................................... 481
Subdivision B--Constitution of FWA by a single FWA Member, a
Full Bench or the Minimum Wage Panel
481
618
Constitution and decision-making of a Full Bench ........................ 481
619
Seniority of FWA Members ........................................................... 482
620
Constitution and decision-making of the Minimum Wage
Panel ............................................................................................... 482
621
Reconstitution of FWA when single FWA Member becomes
unavailable ...................................................................................... 483
622
Reconstitution of FWA when FWA Member of a Full Bench
or the Minimum Wage Panel becomes unavailable ....................... 483
623
When new FWA Members begin to deal with matters................... 484
624
FWA's decisions not invalid when improperly constituted ........... 484
Subdivision C--Delegation of FWA's functions and powers
484
625
Delegation by the President of functions and powers of FWA ...... 484
Division 5--FWA Members
486
Subdivision A--Appointment of FWA Members
486
626
Appointment of FWA Members ..................................................... 486
627
Qualifications for appointment of FWA Members......................... 486
628
Basis of appointment of FWA Members ........................................ 488
629
Period of appointment of FWA Members ...................................... 488
Subdivision B--Terms and conditions of FWA Members
489
630
Appointment of a Judge not to affect tenure etc............................. 489
631
Dual federal and State appointments of Deputy Presidents or
Commissioners ............................................................................... 489
632
Dual federal and Territory appointments of Deputy
Presidents or Commissioners.......................................................... 490
633
Outside employment of FWA Members......................................... 490
634
Oath or affirmation of office........................................................... 490
635
Remuneration of the President........................................................ 491
636
Application of Judges' Pensions Act to the President .................... 491
637
Remuneration of FWA Members other than the President ............ 492
638
Remuneration of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners
performing duties on a part-time basis ........................................... 493
xxix Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
639
Leave of absence of FWA Members other than the President ....... 494
640
Disclosure of interests by FWA Members other than the
President ......................................................................................... 494
641
Termination of appointment on grounds of misbehaviour or
incapacity ........................................................................................ 495
642
Suspension on grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity .................. 495
643
Termination of appointment for bankruptcy, etc. ........................... 496
644
Termination of appointment for outside employment .................... 497
645
Resignation of FWA Members ....................................................... 497
646
Other terms and conditions of FWA Members............................... 497
647
Appointment of acting President .................................................... 497
648
Appointment of acting Deputy Presidents ...................................... 498
Division 6--Cooperation with the States
500
649
President to cooperate with prescribed State industrial
authorities ....................................................................................... 500
650
Provision of administrative support................................................ 500
Division 7--Seals, reviews and reports, and disclosure of
information
501
651
Seals ................................................................................................ 501
652
Annual report .................................................................................. 501
653
Reviews and reports about making enterprise agreements............. 502
654
President must provide certain information etc. to the
Minister and Fair Work Ombudsman ............................................. 503
655
Disclosure of information by FWA ................................................ 503
Division 8--General Manager, staff and consultants
505
Subdivision A--Functions of the General Manager
505
656
Establishment.................................................................................. 505
657
Functions and powers of the General Manager .............................. 505
658
Directions from the President ......................................................... 505
659
General Manager not otherwise subject to direction ...................... 505
Subdivision B--Appointment and terms and conditions of the
General Manager
506
660
Appointment of the General Manager ............................................ 506
661
Remuneration of the General Manager........................................... 506
662
Leave of absence of the General Manager ..................................... 506
663
Outside employment of the General Manager ................................ 507
664
Disclosure of interests to the President........................................... 507
665
Resignation of the General Manager .............................................. 507
666
Termination of appointment of the General Manager .................... 507
667
Other terms and conditions of the General Manager ...................... 508
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xxx
668
Appointment of acting General Manager ....................................... 508
669
Minister to consult the President .................................................... 508
Subdivision C--Staff and consultants
509
670
Staff................................................................................................. 509
671
Delegation by General Manager to staff......................................... 509
672
Persons assisting FWA ................................................................... 509
673
Consultants ..................................................................................... 510
Division 9--Offences relating to Fair Work Australia
511
674
Offences in relation to FWA........................................................... 511
675
Contravening an FWA order .......................................................... 513
676
Intimidation etc. .............................................................................. 513
677
Offences in relation to attending before FWA ............................... 514
678
False or misleading evidence.......................................................... 515
Part 5-2--Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman
516
Division 1--Introduction
516
679
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 516
680
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 516
Division 2--Fair Work Ombudsman
517
Subdivision A--Es tablishment and functions and powers of the
Fair Work Ombuds man
517
681
Establishment.................................................................................. 517
682
Functions of the Fair Work Ombudsman ....................................... 517
683
Delegation by the Fair Work Ombudsman ..................................... 518
684
Directions from the Minister .......................................................... 518
685
Minister may require reports .......................................................... 518
686
Annual report .................................................................................. 519
Subdivision B--Appointment and terms and conditions of the
Fair Work Ombuds man
519
687
Appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman .................................. 519
688
Remuneration of the Fair Work Ombudsman ................................ 519
689
Leave of absence of the Fair Work Ombudsman ........................... 520
690
Outside employment of the Fair Work Ombudsman...................... 520
691
Disclosure of interests to the Minister ............................................ 520
692
Resignation of the Fair Work Ombudsman .................................... 520
693
Termination of appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman .......... 520
694
Other terms and conditions of the Fair Work Ombudsman............ 521
695
Appointment of acting Fair Work Ombudsman ............................. 521
xxxi Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
Division 3--Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman
523
Subdivision A--Es tablishment of the Office of the Fair Work
Ombuds man
523
696
Establishment of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman ........... 523
Subdivision B--Staff and consultants etc.
523
697
Staff................................................................................................. 523
698
Persons assisting the Fair Work Ombudsman ................................ 523
699
Consultants ..................................................................................... 524
Subdivision C--Appointment of Fair Work Inspectors
524
700
Appointment of Fair Work Inspectors ............................................ 524
701
Fair Work Ombudsman is a Fair Work Inspector .......................... 524
702
Identity cards .................................................................................. 524
Subdivision D--Functions and powers of Fair Work Ins pectors
525
703
Conditions and restrictions on functions and powers ..................... 525
704
General directions by the Fair Work Ombudsman ......................... 526
705
Particular directions by the Fair Work Ombudsman ...................... 526
706
Purpose for which powers of inspectors may be exercised ............ 526
707
When powers of inspectors may be exercised ................................ 527
708
Power of inspectors to enter premises ............................................ 527
709
Powers of inspectors while on premises ......................................... 528
710
Persons assisting inspectors ............................................................ 528
711
Power to ask for person's name and address .................................. 529
712
Power to require persons to produce records or documents ........... 529
713
Self-incrimination ........................................................................... 530
714
Power to keep records or documents .............................................. 530
715
Enforceable undertakings relating to contraventions of civil
remedy provisions........................................................................... 530
716
Compliance notices ......................................................................... 532
717
Review of compliance notices ........................................................ 533
Subdivision E--Disclosure of information by the Office of the Fair
Work Ombuds man
534
718
Disclosure of information by the Office of the Fair Work
Ombudsman .................................................................................... 534
Chapter 6--Miscellaneous
536
Part 6-1--Multiple actions
536
Division 1--Introduction
536
719
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 536
720
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 536
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xxxii
Division 2--Certain actions not permitted if alternative action
can be taken
537
721
Equal remuneration applications .................................................... 537
722
Notification and consultation requirements applications ............... 537
723
Unlawful termination applications ................................................. 538
Division 3--Preventing multiple actions
539
Subdivision A--Equal remuneration applications
539
724
Equal remuneration applications .................................................... 539
Subdivision B--Applications and complaints relating to dis missal
540
725
General rule .................................................................................... 540
726
Dismissal remedy bargaining order applications............................ 540
727
General protections FWA applications........................................... 540
728
General protections court applications ........................................... 541
729
Unfair dismissal applications.......................................................... 541
730
Unlawful termination FWA applications........................................ 542
731
Unlawful termination court applications ........................................ 542
732
Applications and complaints under other laws ............................... 542
733
Dismissal does not include failure to p rovide benefits ................... 543
Subdivision C--General protections applications that do not
relate to dis missal
543
734
General rule .................................................................................... 543
Part 6-2--Dealing with disputes
544
Division 1--Introduction
544
735
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 544
736
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 544
Division 2--Dealing with disputes
545
Subdivision A--Model term about dealing with disputes
545
737
Model term about dealing with disputes......................................... 545
Subdivision B--Dealing with dis putes
545
738
Application of this Division............................................................ 545
739
Disputes dealt with by FWA........................................................... 545
740
Dispute dealt with by persons other than FWA.............................. 546
Part 6-3--Extension of National Employment Standards
entitlements
547
Division 1--Introduction
547
741
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 547
742
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 547
xxxiii Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
Division 2--Extension of entitlement to unpaid parental leave
and related entitlements
548
Subdivision A--Main provisions
548
743
Object of this Division.................................................................... 548
744
Extending the entitlement to unpaid parental leave and
related entitlements ......................................................................... 548
745
Contravening the extended parental leave provisions .................... 549
746
References to the National Employment Standards include
extended parental leave provisions ................................................. 550
747
State and Territory laws that are not excluded ............................... 550
Subdivision B--Modifications of the extended parental leave
provisions
550
748
Non-national system employees are not award/agreement
free employees ................................................................................ 550
749
Modification of meaning of base rate of pay for
pieceworkers ................................................................................... 551
750
Modification of meaning of full rate of pay for pieceworkers ....... 551
751
Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work--if
determined by State industrial instrument ...................................... 551
752
Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work--if not
determined by State industrial instrument ...................................... 551
753
Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work--
regulations may prescribe usual weekly hours ............................... 552
754
Modification of meaning of pieceworker ....................................... 552
755
Modification of provision about interaction with paid leave.......... 552
756
Modification of provision about relationship between
National Employment Standards and agreements .......................... 552
757
Modification of power to make regulations.................................... 553
Division 3--Extension of entitlement to notice of termination or
payment in lieu of notice
554
Subdivision A--Main provisions
554
758
Object of this Division.................................................................... 554
759
Extending entitlement to notice of termination or payment in
lieu of notice ................................................................................... 554
760
Contravening the extended notice of termination provisions ......... 555
761
References to the National Employment Standards include
extended notice of termination provisions...................................... 555
762
State and Territory laws that are not excluded ............................... 556
Subdivision B--Modifications of the extended notice of
termination provisions
556
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 xxxiv
763
Non-national system employees are not award/agreement
free employees ................................................................................ 556
764
Modification of meaning of full rate of pay for pieceworkers ....... 556
765
Modification of meaning of pieceworker ....................................... 556
766
Modification of provision about notice of termination by
employee......................................................................................... 557
767
Modification of provision about relationship between
National Employment Standards and agreements .......................... 557
768
Modification of power to make regulations.................................... 557
Part 6-4--Additional provisions relating to termination of
employment
558
Division 1--Introduction
558
769
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 558
770
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 558
Division 2--Termination of employment
559
771
Object of this Division.................................................................... 559
772
Employment not to be terminated on certain grounds .................... 559
773
Application for FWA to deal with a dispute................................... 561
774
Time for application ....................................................................... 561
775
Application fees .............................................................................. 562
776
Conferences .................................................................................... 562
777
Certificate if dispute not resolved................................................... 562
778
Advice on unlawful termination court application ......................... 562
779
Unlawful termination court applications ........................................ 563
780
Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................. 563
781
Applications for costs orders .......................................................... 564
782
Contravening costs orders............................................................... 564
783
Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise ........... 564
Division 3--Notification and consultation requirements relating
to certain terminations of employment
565
Subdivision A--Object of this Division
565
784
Object of this Division.................................................................... 565
Subdivision B--Requirement to notify Ce ntrelink
565
785
Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed
terminations .................................................................................... 565
Subdivision C--Failure to notify or consult registered employee
associations
566
786
FWA may make orders where failure to notify or consult
registered employee associations about terminations..................... 566
xxxv Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
787
Orders that FWA may make ........................................................... 567
788
Application to FWA for order ........................................................ 568
Subdivision D--Limits on scope of this Division
568
789
Limits on scope of this Division ..................................................... 568
Part 6-5--Miscellaneous
570
Division 1--Introduction
570
790
Guide to this Part ............................................................................ 570
791
Meanings of employee and employer ............................................. 570
Division 2--Miscellaneous
571
792
Delegation by Minister ................................................................... 571
793
Liability of bodies corporate........................................................... 571
794
Signature on behalf of body corporate............................................ 572
795
Public sector employer to act through employing authority........... 572
796
Regulations--general ..................................................................... 574
797
Regulations dealing with offences .................................................. 574
798
Regulations dealing with civil penalties ......................................... 574
799
Regulations dealing with infringement notices .............................. 574
800
Regulations dealing with exhibiting fair work instruments............ 575
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 1
A Bill for an Act relating to workplace relations,
1
and for related purposes
2
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
3
Chapter 1--Introduction
4
Part 1-1--Introduction
5
Division 1--Preliminary
6
1 Short title
7
This Act may be cited as the Fair Work Act 2008.
8
Chapter 1 Introduction
Part 1-1 Introduction
Division 1 Preliminary
Section 2
2 Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
2 Commence ment
1
(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table
2
commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with
3
column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect
4
according to its terms.
5
6
Commencement information
Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
Provision(s)
Commencement
Date/Details
1. Sections 1 and
2 and anything in
this Act not
elsewhere covered
by this table
The day on which this Act receives the
Royal Assent.
2. Sections 3 to
800
A day or days to be fixed by Proclamation.
A Proclamation must not specify a day that
occurs before the day on which the Fair
Work (Transitional Provisions and
Consequential Amendments) Act 2009
receives the Royal Assent.
However, if any of the provision(s) do not
commence with in the period of 6 months
beginning on the day on which the Fair
Work (Transitional Provisions and
Consequential Amendments) Act 2009
receives the Royal Assent, they commence
on the first day after the end of that period.
Note:
This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally
7
passed by both Houses of the Parliament and assented to. It will not be
8
expanded to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.
9
(2) Column 3 of the table contains additional information that is not
10
part of this Act. Information in this column may be added to or
11
edited in any published version of this Act.
12
13
Introduction Chapter 1
Introduction Part 1-1
Object of this Act Division 2
Section 3
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 3
1
Division 2--Object of this Act
2
3 Object of this Act
3
The object of this Act is to provide a balanced framework for
4
cooperative and productive workplace relations that promotes
5
national economic prosperity and social inclusion for all
6
Australians by:
7
(a) providing workplace relations laws that are fair to working
8
Australians, are flexible for businesses, promote productivity
9
and economic growth for Australia's future economic
10
prosperity and take into account Australia's international
11
labour obligations; and
12
(b) ensuring a guaranteed safety net of fair, relevant and
13
enforceable minimum terms and conditions through the
14
National Employment Standards, modern awards and
15
national minimum wage orders; and
16
(c) ensuring that the guaranteed safety net of fair, relevant and
17
enforceable minimum wages and conditions can no longer be
18
undermined by the making of statutory individual
19
employment agreements of any kind given that such
20
agreements can never be part of a fair workplace relations
21
system; and
22
(d) assisting employees to balance their work and family
23
responsibilities by providing for flexible working
24
arrangements; and
25
(e) enabling fairness and representation at work and the
26
prevention of discrimination by recognising the right to
27
freedom of association and the right to be represented,
28
protecting against unfair treatment and discrimination,
29
providing accessible and effective procedures to resolve
30
grievances and disputes and providing effective compliance
31
mechanisms; and
32
(f) achieving productivity and fairness through an emphasis on
33
enterprise-level collective bargaining underpinned by simple
34
good faith bargaining obligations and clear rules governing
35
industrial action.
36
37
Chapter 1 Introduction
Part 1-1 Introduction
Division 3 Guide to this Act
Section 4
4 Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
1
Division 3--Guide to this Act
2
4 Guide to this Act
3
Overview of this Act
4
(1) This Act is about workplace relations. It:
5
(a) provides for terms and conditions of employment
6
(Chapter 2); and
7
(b) sets out rights and responsibilities of employees, employers
8
and organisations in relation to that employment (Chapter 3);
9
and
10
(c) provides for compliance with, and enforcement of, this Act
11
(Chapter 4); and
12
(d) provides for the administration of this Act by establishing
13
Fair Work Australia and the Office of the Fair Work
14
Ombudsman (Chapter 5); and
15
(e) deals with other matters relating to the above (Chapter 6).
16
Overview of the rest of this Chapter
17
(2) The rest of this Chapter deals with:
18
(a) definitions that are used in this Act (Part 1-2); and
19
(b) the application of this Act (Part 1-3), including how this Act
20
interacts with certain State and Territory laws and its
21
geographical application.
22
Definitions
23
(3) Many of the terms in this Act are defined. The Dictionary in
24
section 12 contains a list of every term that is defined in this Act.
25
5 Terms and conditions of employment (Chapte r 2)
26
(1) Chapter 2 provides for terms and conditions of employment of
27
national system employees.
28
Introduction Chapter 1
Introduction Part 1-1
Gu ide to this Act Division 3
Section 5
Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008 5
(2) Part 2-1 has the core provisions for the Chapter. It deals with
1
compliance with, and interaction between, the sources of the main
2
terms and conditions provided under this Act--the National
3
Employment Standards, modern awards and enterprise agreements.
4
Note:
Workplace determinations are another source of main terms and
5
conditions. In most cases, this Act applies to a workplace
6
determination as if it were an enterprise agreement in operation (see
7
section 279).
8
Main terms and conditions
9
(3) Part 2-2 contains the National Employment Standards, which are
10
minimum terms and conditions that apply to all national system
11
employees.
12
(4) Part 2-3 is about modern awards. A modern award is made for a
13
particular industry or occupation and provides additional minimum
14
terms and conditions for those national system employees to whom
15
it applies. A modern award can have terms that are ancillary or
16
supplementary to the National Employment Standards.
17
(5) Part 2-4 is about enterprise agreements. An enterprise agreement is
18
made at the enterprise level and provides terms and conditions for
19
those national system employees to whom it applies. An enterprise
20
agreement can have terms that are ancillary or supplementary to
21
the National Employment Standards.
22
(6) Part 2-5 is about workplace determinations. A workplace
23
determination provides terms and conditions for those national
24
system employees to whom it applies. A workplace determination
25
is made by FWA if certain conditions are met.
26
(7) Part 2-8 provides for the transfer of certain modern awards,
27
enterprise agreements, workplace determinations and other
28
instruments if there is a transfer of business from one national
29
system employer to another national system employer.
30
Other terms and conditions
31
(8) In addition, other terms and conditions of employment for national
32
system employees include those:
33
Chapter 1 Introduction
Part 1-1 Introduction
Division 3 Guide to this Act
Section 6
6 Fair Work Bill 2008 No. , 2008
(a) provided by a national minimum wage order (see Part 2-6) or
1
an equal remuneration order (see Part 2-7); and
2
(b) provided by Part 2-9 (which deals with the frequency and
3
method of making payments to employees, deductions from
4
payments and high-income employees).
5
6 Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations
6
etc. (Chapter 3)
7
(1) Chapter 3 sets out rights and responsibilities of national system
8
employees, national system employers, organisations and others
9
(such as independent contractors and industrial associations).
10
(2) Part 3-1 provides general workplace protections. It:
11
(a) protects workplace rights; and
12
(b) protects freedom of association and involvement in lawful
13
industrial activities; and
14
(c) provides other protections, including protection from
15
discrimination.
16
(3) Part 3-2 deals with unfair dismissal of national system employees,
17
and the granting of remedies when that happens.
18
(4) Part 3-3 deals mainly with industrial action by national system
19
employees and national system employers and sets out when
20
industrial action is protected industrial action. No action lies under
21
any law in force in a State or Territory in relation to protected
22
industrial action except in certain circumstances.
23
(5) Part 3-4 is about the rights of officials of organisations who hold
24
entry permits to enter premises for purposes related to their
25
representative role under this Act and under State or Territory OHS
26
laws. In exercising those rights, permit hol