Contents

Part 1--Preliminary                                                                                                                1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

3............ Principal object ................................................................................... 1

4............ Definitions .......................................................................................... 2

5............ Employee .......................................................................................... 17

6............ Employer .......................................................................................... 18

7............ Employment ..................................................................................... 19

8............ Schedules 1, 6, 7, 7A, 7B, 8, and 9 have effect ................................. 19

9............ Schedule 10 has effect ....................................................................... 19

10.......... Act binds Crown .............................................................................. 20

11.......... Modifications for Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands .... 20

12.......... Exclusion of persons insufficiently connected with Australia ......... 20

13.......... Extraterritorial application ................................................................ 21

14.......... Act not to apply so as to exceed Commonwealth power ................ 22

15.......... Application of Criminal Code .......................................................... 24

16.......... Act excludes some State and Territory laws .................................... 24

17.......... Awards, agreements and Commission orders prevail over State and Territory law etc.          26

18.......... Act may exclude State and Territory laws in other cases ................. 27

Part 2--Australian Fair Pay Commission                                                                 28

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             28

19.......... Definitions ........................................................................................ 28

Division 2--Australian Fair Pay Commission                                                 29

Subdivision A--Establishment and functions                                                       29

20.......... Establishment ................................................................................... 29

21.......... Functions of the AFPC .................................................................... 29

Subdivision B--AFPC's wage‑setting function                                                    29

22.......... AFPC's wage‑setting function ......................................................... 29

23.......... AFPC's wage‑setting parameters ..................................................... 30

24.......... Wage reviews and wage‑setting decisions ......................................... 30

25.......... Constitution of the AFPC for wage‑setting powers ........................ 31

26.......... Publishing wage‑setting decisions etc. .............................................. 31

Subdivision C--Operation of the AFPC                                                                 31

27.......... AFPC to determine its own procedures ........................................... 31

28.......... Annual report ................................................................................... 32

                                                                                   32

29.......... Appointment .................................................................................... 32

30.......... Remuneration .................................................................................... 32

31.......... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 32

32.......... Engaging in other paid employment ................................................. 33

33.......... Disclosure of interests ...................................................................... 33

34.......... Resignation ....................................................................................... 33

35.......... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 33

36.......... Other terms and conditions .............................................................. 35

37.......... Acting AFPC Chair .......................................................................... 35

                                                                 35

38.......... Appointment .................................................................................... 35

39.......... Remuneration .................................................................................... 36

40.......... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 36

41.......... Disclosure of interests ...................................................................... 36

42.......... Resignation ....................................................................................... 36

43.......... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 36

44.......... Other terms and conditions .............................................................. 38

45.......... Acting AFPC Commissioners .......................................................... 38

Division 3--AFPC Secretariat                                                                                39

Subdivision A--Establishment and function                                                         39

46.......... Establishment ................................................................................... 39

47.......... Function ............................................................................................ 39

Subdivision B--Operation of the AFPC Secretariat                                           39

48.......... AFPC Chair may give directions ...................................................... 39

49.......... Annual report ................................................................................... 39

Subdivision C--The Director of the Secretariat                                                  40

50.......... Appointment .................................................................................... 40

51.......... Remuneration .................................................................................... 40

52.......... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 40

53.......... Engaging in other paid employment ................................................. 40

54.......... Disclosure of interests ...................................................................... 40

55.......... Resignation ....................................................................................... 41

56.......... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 41

57.......... Other terms and conditions .............................................................. 42

58.......... Acting Director of the Secretariat ..................................................... 42

Subdivision D--Staff and consultants                                                                    43

59.......... Staff .................................................................................................. 43

60.......... Consultants ....................................................................................... 43

Part 3--Australian Industrial Relations Commission                                       44

Division 1--Establishment of Commission                                                      44

61.......... Establishment of Commission .......................................................... 44

62.......... Functions of Commission ................................................................. 44

63.......... Appointment of Commission members etc. ..................................... 44

64.......... Qualifications for appointment ........................................................ 45

65.......... Seniority ........................................................................................... 46

66.......... Performance of duties on part‑time basis ......................................... 46

67.......... Dual federal and State appointments ................................................ 47

68.......... Performance of duties by dual federal and State appointees ............ 48

69.......... Dual federal appointments ............................................................... 48

70.......... Appointment of a Judge as President not to affect tenure etc. ........ 48

71.......... Tenure of Commission members ...................................................... 49

72.......... Acting President ............................................................................... 49

73.......... Acting Vice President ....................................................................... 50

74.......... Acting Senior Deputy President ....................................................... 50

75.......... Acting Deputy Presidents ................................................................ 51

76.......... Oath or affirmation of office ............................................................. 51

77.......... Discharge of Commission's business ............................................... 52

78.......... Duty of Commission members ......................................................... 52

79.......... Remuneration and allowances of Presidential Members etc. ............ 52

80.......... Application of Judges' Pensions Act ............................................... 54

81.......... Remuneration and allowances of Commissioners ............................. 56

82.......... Removal of Presidential Member from office ................................... 56

83.......... Outside employment of Commissioner ............................................ 56

84.......... Leave of absence of Commissioner ................................................... 57

85.......... Disclosure of interest by Commission members .............................. 57

86.......... Termination of appointment of Commissioner ................................ 58

87.......... Resignation by Commission member ............................................... 58

Division 2--Organisation of Commission                                                         59

88.......... Manner in which Commission may be constituted .......................... 59

89.......... Powers exercisable by single member of Commission ...................... 59

90.......... Functions and powers conferred on members .................................. 59

91.......... Exercise of Commission powers ....................................................... 60

92.......... Continuation of hearing by Commission .......................................... 60

93.......... Commission divided in opinion ........................................................ 61

94.......... Arrangement of business of Commission ......................................... 61

95.......... Panels of Commission for particular industries ................................ 62

96.......... Delegation by President .................................................................... 62

97.......... Protection of Commission members ................................................. 63

98.......... Co‑operation with the States by President ...................................... 63

99.......... Co‑operation with the States by Registrar ....................................... 63

Division 3--Representation and intervention                                                64

100........ Representation of parties before Commission ................................. 64

101........ Intervention generally ....................................................................... 66

102........ Particular rights of intervention of Minister ..................................... 66

Division 4--General matters relating to the powers and procedures of the Commission           67

Subdivision A--General matters Commission to take into account                 67

103........ Commission to take into account the public interest ....................... 67

104........ Commission to take into account discrimination issues ................... 67

105........ Commission to take account of Racial Discrimination Act, Sex Discrimination Act, Disability Discrimination Act and Age Discrimination Act .................................................................... 68

106........ Commission to take account of Family Responsibilities Convention 68

107........ Safety, health and welfare of employees .......................................... 68

108........ Commission to act quickly ............................................................... 68

109........ Commission to avoid technicalities and facilitate fair conduct of proceedings         69

Subdivision B--Particular powers and procedures of the Commission          69

110........ Procedure of Commission ................................................................. 69

111........ Particular powers of Commission .................................................... 69

112........ Reference of proceedings to Full Bench ........................................... 72

113........ President may deal with certain proceedings .................................... 73

114........ Review on application by Minister .................................................. 74

115........ Compulsory conferences .................................................................. 75

116........ Power to override certain laws affecting public sector employment 75

117........ State authorities may be restrained from dealing with matter that is before the Commission 76

118........ Joint sessions of Commission .......................................................... 76

119........ Revocation and suspension of awards and orders ............................ 77

Division 5--Appeals to Full Bench and references to Court                 79

120........ Appeals to Full Bench relating to matters arising other than under the Registration and Accountability of Organisations Schedule ..................................................................... 79

121........ Appeals to Full Bench relating to matters arising under the Registration and Accountability of Organisations Schedule etc. .................................................................................................... 81

122........ References to Court by Commission on question of law ................. 83

Division 6--Miscellaneous                                                                                       84

123........ Seals of Commission ......................................................................... 84

124........ Rules of Commission ........................................................................ 84

125........ President must provide certain information etc. to the Minister ..... 85

126........ Annual report of Commission .......................................................... 85

Part 4--Australian Industrial Registry                                                                      86

Division 1--Interpretation                                                                                        86

127........ Definition of State industrial body .................................................... 86

Division 2--Establishment and functions of Australian Industrial Registry        87

128........ Australian Industrial Registry .......................................................... 87

129........ Functions of the Industrial Registry ................................................. 87

130........ Registries .......................................................................................... 89

131........ Seals of the Registry ......................................................................... 89

132........ Annual report of Industrial Registry ................................................ 89

Division 3--Registrars                                                                                               90

133........ Industrial Registrar ........................................................................... 90

134........ Tenure of office of Industrial Registrar ............................................ 91

135........ Remuneration and allowances of Industrial Registrar ....................... 92

136........ Outside employment of Industrial Registrar .................................... 92

137........ Disclosure of interests by Industrial Registrar ................................. 92

138........ Leave of absence of Industrial Registrar ........................................... 92

139........ Resignation by Industrial Registrar .................................................. 93

140........ Termination of appointment of Industrial Registrar ........................ 93

141........ Deputy Industrial Registrars ............................................................ 93

142........ Acting Industrial Registrar ................................................................ 95

143........ Acting Deputy Industrial Registrars ................................................ 95

144........ Oath or affirmation of office of Registrar ......................................... 96

Division 4--References and appeals                                                                   97

145........ References by Registrar to Commission ........................................... 97

146........ Removal of matters before Registrar ................................................ 97

147........ Appeals from Registrar to Commission ........................................... 97

148........ References to Court by Registrar on question of law ....................... 98

Division 5--Staff                                                                                                           100

149........ Staff ................................................................................................ 100

Part 5--Workplace Authority Director                                                                   101

Division 1--Workplace Authority Director                                                   101

Subdivision A--Establishment and functions                                                     101

150A..... Workplace Authority Director ....................................................... 101

150B..... Functions of Workplace Authority Director .................................. 101

150C..... Minister may give directions to Workplace Authority Director .... 102

Subdivision B--Appointment and terms and conditions                                   103

151A..... Appointment of Workplace Authority Director ............................ 103

151B..... Remuneration .................................................................................. 103

151C..... Leave of absence ............................................................................. 103

151D..... Other terms and conditions ............................................................ 104

151E...... Outside employment ...................................................................... 104

151F...... Disclosure of interests .................................................................... 104

151G..... Acting appointments ...................................................................... 104

151H..... Resignation ..................................................................................... 105

151J...... Termination of appointment .......................................................... 105

Division 2--Workplace Authority Deputy Directors                                106

152A..... Workplace Authority Deputy Directors ........................................ 106

152B..... Appointment of Workplace Authority Deputy Director .............. 106

152C..... Remuneration .................................................................................. 106

152D..... Leave of absence ............................................................................. 107

152E...... Other terms and conditions ............................................................ 107

152F...... Outside employment ...................................................................... 107

152G..... Disclosure of interests .................................................................... 107

152H..... Resignation ..................................................................................... 108

152J...... Termination of appointment .......................................................... 108

Division 3--Staff, delegations etc.                                                                      109

153A..... Staff ................................................................................................ 109

153B..... Workplace Authority ..................................................................... 109

153C..... Delegation ....................................................................................... 109

Division 4--Reporting and disclosing information                                    110

Subdivision A--Reporting                                                                                      110

163A..... Minister may require reports ......................................................... 110

163B..... Annual report ................................................................................. 110

163C..... Reports not to include information relating to an individual's affairs 110

Subdivision B--Disclosing information                                                              111

164A..... Disclosure of information by workplace agreement officials ......... 111

165........ Identity of parties to ITEAs not to be disclosed ........................... 112

166........ Publication of workplace agreements etc. by Workplace Authority Director          113

Part 5A--Workplace Ombudsman                                                                             114

Division 1--Establishment and functions                                                       114

166A..... Workplace Ombudsman ................................................................. 114

166B..... Functions of the Workplace Ombudsman ...................................... 114

166C..... Minister may give directions to Workplace Ombudsman .............. 115

Division 2--Appointment and terms and conditions                                116

166D..... Appointment of Workplace Ombudsman ...................................... 116

166E...... Remuneration .................................................................................. 116

166F...... Leave of absence ............................................................................. 116

166G..... Other terms and conditions ............................................................ 117

166H..... Outside employment ...................................................................... 117

166J...... Disclosure of interests .................................................................... 117

166K..... Acting appointments ...................................................................... 117

166L...... Resignation ..................................................................................... 118

166M.... Termination of appointment .......................................................... 118

Division 3--Staff, delegations etc.                                                                      119

166N..... Staff ................................................................................................ 119

166P...... Office of the Workplace Ombudsman ............................................ 119

166Q..... Delegation ....................................................................................... 119

Division 4--Reporting and disclosing information                                    121

Subdivision A--Reporting to Minister                                                                 121

166R..... Minister may require reports ......................................................... 121

166S...... Annual report ................................................................................. 121

166T..... Reports not to include information relating to an individual's affairs 121

Subdivision B--Disclosing information                                                              122

166U..... Disclosure of information by members of the Office of the Workplace Ombudsman             122

166V..... Directions about exercise of powers to disclose information ......... 123

Part 6--Workplace inspectors                                                                                      124

167........ Inspectors ....................................................................................... 124

168........ Identity cards .................................................................................. 125

169........ Powers of inspectors ...................................................................... 125

Part 7--The Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard                         129

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                           129

171........ Purpose of Part ............................................................................... 129

172........ Operation of the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard ..... 129

173........ Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard cannot be excluded . 130

174........ Extraterritorial extension ................................................................. 130

175........ Model dispute resolution process .................................................. 132

Division 2--Wages                                                                                                      133

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                  133

176........ AFPC's wage‑setting parameters etc. ............................................ 133

178........ Definitions ...................................................................................... 133

179........ Meaning of casual loading provisions ........................................... 138

180........ Meaning of classification ................................................................ 138

181........ Meaning of rate provisions ............................................................ 139

Subdivision B--Guarantee of basic rates of pay                                                 140

182........ The guarantee .................................................................................. 140

183........ An employee's guaranteed hours for the purpose of section 182 141

5>184........ Modified operation of section 182 to continue effect of Supported Wage System for certain employees with a disability ......................................................................................... 144

Subdivision C--Guarantee of casual loadings                                                    144

185........ The guarantee .................................................................................. 144

186........ Default casual loading percentage ................................................... 145

Subdivision D--Guarantee of frequency of payment                                          146

189........ The guarantee .................................................................................. 146

Subdivision E--Guarantee against reductions below pre‑reform commencement rates    147

190........ The guarantee where only basic periodic rates of pay are involved 147

191........ The guarantee where basic piece rates of pay are involved ............ 148

192........ The guarantee for casual loadings that apply to basic periodic rates of pay            149

Subdivision F--The guarantee against reductions below Federal Minimum Wages (FMWs)          150

193........ The guarantee .................................................................................. 150

Subdivision G--Federal Minimum Wages (FMWs)                                          151

194........ When is there an FMW for an employee? ...................................... 151

195........ Standard FMW ............................................................................... 152

196........ Adjustment of standard FMW ....................................................... 152

199........ How a special FMW is to be expressed ......................................... 152

200........ Adjustment of a special FMW ....................................................... 152

Subdivision H--Australian Pay and Classification Scales (APCSs): general provisions 153

201........ What is an APCS? .......................................................................... 153

202........ What must or may be in an APCS? ................................................ 153

203........ How pay rates and loadings are to be expressed in an APCS ........ 154

204........ When is employment covered by an APCS? .................................. 155

205........ What if 2 or more APCSs would otherwise cover an employee? ... 155

207........ Deeming APCS rates to at least equal FMW rates after first exercise of AFPC's powers takes effect   156

Subdivision I--Australian Pay and Classification Scales: preserved APCSs 157

208........ Deriving preserved APCSs from pre‑reform wage instruments ..... 157

209........ Notional adjustment: rates and loadings determined as for reform comparison day                158

210........ Notional adjustment: deducing basic periodic rate of pay and casual loading from composite rate         159

211........ Notional adjustment: how basic periodic rates and loadings are expressed              160

212........ Regulations dealing with notional adjustments ............................... 161

213........ Certain regulations relating to preserved APCSs may take effect before registration              161

Subdivision K--Australian Pay and Classification Scales: duration and adjustment of APCSs (preserved or new)    162

215........ Duration of APCSs ......................................................................... 162

216........ Adjustment of APCSs .................................................................... 162

Subdivision L--Adjustments to incorporate 2005 Safety Net Review etc.    162

218........ Adjustments to incorporate 2005 Safety Net Review ................... 162

219........ Regulations may require adjustments to incorporate other decisions 163

Subdivision M--Special provisions relating to APCSs for employees with a disability     164

219A..... Coverage of special APCSs for employees with a disability ......... 164

Subdivision N--Miscellaneous                                                                              164

222........ Anti‑discrimination considerations ................................................. 164

Division 3--Maximum ordinary hours of work                                            166

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                  166

223........ Employees to whom Division applies ........................................... 166

224........ Definitions ...................................................................................... 166

225........ Agreement between employees and employers ............................. 166

Subdivision B--Guarantee of maximum ordinary hours of work                   167

226........ The guarantee .................................................................................. 167

Division 4--Annual leave                                                                                        170

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                  170

227........ Employees to whom Division applies ........................................... 170

228........ Definitions ...................................................................................... 170

229........ Meaning of nominal hours worked ................................................ 172

230........ Agreement between employees and employers ............................. 174

231........ Regulations may prescribe different definitions for piece rate employees               174

Subdivision B--Guarantee of annual leave                                                          175

232........ The guarantee .................................................................................. 175

233........ Entitlement to cash out annual leave .............................................. 175

Subdivision C--Annual leave rules                                                                      176

5>234........ Annual leave--accrual, crediting and accumulation rules ............... 176

235........ Annual leave--payment rules ........................................................ 177

236........ Rules about taking annual leave ...................................................... 177

237........ Annual leave and workers' compensation ...................................... 180

Subdivision D--Service: annual leave                                                                  180

238........ Annual leave--service .................................................................... 180

Division 5--Personal leave                                                                                    181

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                  181

239........ Employees to whom Division applies ........................................... 181

240........ Definitions ...................................................................................... 181

241........ Meaning of nominal hours worked ................................................ 183

242........ Agreement between employees and employers ............................. 185

243........ Regulations may prescribe different definitions for piece rate employees               185

244........ Meaning of personal/carer's leave ................................................. 185

Subdivision B--Guarantee of paid personal/carer's leave                               186

245........ The guarantee .................................................................................. 186

245A..... Entitlement to cash out an amount of paid personal/carer's leave . 186

246........ Paid personal/carer's leave--accrual, crediting and accumulation rules 188

5>247........ Paid personal/carer's leave--payment rule .................................... 189

247A..... Entitlement to leave for all nominal hours in a day also extends to other hours on that day   189

248........ Paid personal/carer's leave--workers' compensation .................... 190

249........ Paid carer's leave--annual limit ...................................................... 190

Subdivision C--Guarantee of unpaid carer's leave                                            191

250........ The guarantee .................................................................................. 191

251........ Unpaid carer's leave--how taken ................................................... 192

252........ Unpaid carer's leave--paid personal leave exhausted .................... 192

Subdivision D--Notice and evidence requirements: personal/carer's leave 192

253........ Sick leave--notice ........................................................................... 192

254........ Sick leave--documentary evidence ................................................. 193

255........ Carer's leave--notice ...................................................................... 194

256........ Carer's leave--documentary evidence ............................................ 194

Subdivision E--Guarantee of compassionate leave                                            195

257........ The guarantee .................................................................................. 195

258........ Taking compassionate leave ........................................................... 196

259........ Compassionate leave--payment rule ............................................. 196

Subdivision F--Personal leave: service                                                               196

260........ Paid personal leave--service .......................................................... 196

261........ Unpaid carer's leave--service ........................................................ 197

Division 6--Parental leave                                                                                     198

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                  198

262........ Employees to whom Division applies ........................................... 198

263........ Definitions ...................................................................................... 198

264........ Meaning of eligible casual employee .............................................. 201

264A..... Regulations may prescribe different definition for piece rate employees                 202

Subdivision B--Guarantee of maternity leave                                                    202

265........ The guarantee .................................................................................. 202

266........ Period of maternity leave ................................................................ 203

267........ Period of special maternity leave .................................................... 204

268........ Transfer to a safe job ...................................................................... 205

Subdivision C--Maternity leave: documentation                                                206

269........ Special maternity leave--documentation ....................................... 206

270........ Ordinary maternity leave--medical certificate ............................... 208

271........ Ordinary maternity leave--application .......................................... 209

Subdivision D--Maternity leave: from start to finish                                        210

272........ Maternity leave--start of leave ...................................................... 210

273........ Requirement to take leave--for 6 weeks after birth ....................... 210

274........ Requirement to take leave--within 6 weeks before birth ............... 211

275........ End of pregnancy--effect on ordinary maternity leave entitlement 212

276........ Death of child--effect on ordinary maternity leave entitlement .... 212

277........ End of ordinary maternity leave if employee stops being primary care‑giver          213

278........ Variation of period of ordinary maternity leave ............................. 213

279........ Employee's right to terminate employment during maternity leave 214

280........ Return to work guarantee--maternity leave ................................... 214

281........ Replacement employees--maternity leave .................................... 215

Subdivision E--Guarantee of paternity leave                                                      216

282........ The guarantee .................................................................................. 216

283........ Period of paternity leave ................................................................ 217

284........ Short paternity leave--concurrent leave taken by spouse ............. 218

285........ Long paternity leave--not to be concurrent with maternity leave taken by spouse                218

Subdivision F--Paternity leave: documentation                                                 219

286........ Paternity leave--medical certificate ............................................... 219

287........ Short paternity leave--application ................................................ 220

288........ Long paternity leave--documentation ........................................... 220

Subdivision G--Paternity leave: from start to finish                                         221

289........ Short paternity leave--when taken ................................................ 221

290........ Long paternity leave--when taken ................................................. 221

291........ End of pregnancy--effect on paternity leave ................................. 222

292........ Death of child--effect on paternity leave ...................................... 222

293........ End of long paternity leave if employee stops being primary care‑giver                 223

294........ Variation of period of long paternity leave ..................................... 223

295........ Employee's right to terminate employment during paternity leave 224

296........ Return to work guarantee--paternity leave ................................... 224

297........ Replacement employees--long paternity leave ............................. 225

Subdivision H--Guarantee of adoption leave                                                       225

298........ Meaning of eligible child ................................................................. 225

299........ The guarantee--pre‑adoption leave ................................................ 226

300........ The guarantee--adoption leave ...................................................... 227

301........ Period of adoption leave ................................................................. 227

302........ Short adoption leave--concurrent leave taken by spouse .............. 228

303........ Long adoption leave--not to be concurrent with adoption leave taken by spouse 229

Subdivision I--Adoption leave: documentation                                                   229

304........ Adoption leave--notice .................................................................. 229

305........ Short adoption leave--application ................................................. 231

306........ Long adoption leave--application .................................................. 231

307........ Adoption leave--additional documents ......................................... 232

Subdivision J--Adoption leave: from start to finish                                          233

308........ Short adoption leave--when taken ................................................. 233

309........ Long adoption leave--when taken ................................................. 233

310........ Placement does not proceed--effect on adoption leave .................