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FAIR WORK ACT 2009 (NO. 28, 2009) - NOTES

FAIR WORK ACT 2009 (NO. 28, 2009) - NOTES

 

No. 28, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

An Act relating to workplace relations, and for related purposes

  

  

  


Contents

Chapter 1--Introduction                                                                                        2

Part 1‑1--Introduction                                                                                                          2

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                              2

1............ Short title............................................................................................ 2

2............ Commencement.................................................................................. 2

Division 2--Object of this Act                                                                                 4

3............ Object of this Act............................................................................... 4

Division 3--Guide to this Act                                                                                  5

4............ Guide to this Act................................................................................ 5

5............ Terms and conditions of employment (Chapter 2)............................ 5

6............ Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc. (Chapter 3)            7

7............ Compliance and enforcement (Chapter 4).......................................... 8

8............ Administration (Chapter 5)................................................................ 8

9............ Miscellaneous (Chapter 6)................................................................. 8

Part 1‑2--Definitions                                                                                                          10

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                          10

10.......... Guide to this Part............................................................................. 10

11.......... Meanings of employee and employer................................................ 10

Division 2--The Dictionary                                                                                     11

12.......... The Dictionary................................................................................. 11

Division 3--Definitions relating to the meanings of employee, employer etc.  34

13.......... Meaning of national system employee.............................................. 34

14.......... Meaning of national system employer.............................................. 34

15.......... Ordinary meanings of employee and employer................................. 34

Division 4--Other definitions                                                                                36

16.......... Meaning of base rate of pay............................................................. 36

17.......... Meaning of child of a person............................................................ 37

18.......... Meaning of full rate of pay................................................................ 37

19.......... Meaning of industrial action............................................................. 38

20.......... Meaning of ordinary hours of work for award/agreement free employees              39

21.......... Meaning of pieceworker................................................................... 40

22.......... Meanings of service and continuous service.................................... 41

23.......... Meaning of small business employer................................................ 44

Part 1‑3--Application of this Act                                                                                  45

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                          45

24.......... Guide to this Part............................................................................. 45

25.......... Meanings of employee and employer................................................ 45

Division 2--Interaction with State and Territory laws                              46

26.......... Act excludes State or Territory industrial laws................................ 46

27.......... State and Territory laws that are not excluded by section 26.......... 47

28.......... Act excludes prescribed State and Territory laws............................ 49

29.......... Interaction of modern awards and enterprise agreements with State and Territory laws        50

30.......... Act may exclude State and Territory laws etc. in other cases.......... 50

Division 3--Geographical application of this Act                                        51

31.......... Exclusion of persons etc. insufficiently connected with Australia... 51

32.......... Regulations may modify application of this Act in certain parts of Australia        51

33.......... Extension of this Act to the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf     52

34.......... Extension of this Act beyond the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf            53

35.......... Meanings of Australian employer and Australian‑based employee.. 54

35A....... Regulations excluding application of Act......................................... 55

36.......... Geographical application of offences............................................... 55

Division 4--Miscellaneous                                                                                      57

37.......... Act binds Crown.............................................................................. 57

38.......... Act not to apply so as to exceed Commonwealth power................ 57

39.......... Acquisition of property................................................................... 58

40.......... Interaction between fair work instruments and public sector employment laws    58

Chapter 2--Terms and conditions of employment                     60

Part 2‑1--Core provisions for this Chapter                                                           60

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                          60

41.......... Guide to this Part............................................................................. 60

42.......... Meanings of employee and employer................................................ 61

Division 2--Core provisions for this Chapter                                               62

Subdivision A--Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act   62

43.......... Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act...... 62

Subdivision B--Terms and conditions of employment provided by the National Employment Standards       63

44.......... Contravening the National Employment Standards......................... 63

Subdivision C--Terms and conditions of employment provided by a modern award           63

45.......... Contravening a modern award.......................................................... 63

46.......... The significance of a modern award applying to a person............... 63

47.......... When a modern award applies to an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity                64

48.......... When a modern award covers an employer, employee, organisation or outworker entity     65

49.......... When a modern award is in operation.............................................. 66

Subdivision D--Terms and conditions of employment provided by an enterprise agreement           67

50.......... Contravening an enterprise agreement.............................................. 67

51.......... The significance of an enterprise agreement applying to a person... 67

52.......... When an enterprise agreement applies to an employer, employee or employee organisation 67

53.......... When an enterprise agreement covers an employer, employee or employee organisation      68

54.......... When an enterprise agreement is in operation.................................. 69

Division 3--Interaction between the National Employment Standards, modern awards and enterprise agreements                                                                                            70

Subdivision A--Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or an enterprise agreement                                                                                                         70

55.......... Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or enterprise agreement               70

56.......... Terms of a modern award or enterprise agreement contravening section 55 have no effect    72

Subdivision B--Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements              72

57.......... Interaction between modern awards and enterprise agreements....... 72

57A....... Designated outworker terms of a modern award continue to apply 73

Subdivision C--Interaction between one or more enterprise agreements     74

58.......... Only one enterprise agreement can apply to an employee.............. 74

Part 2‑2--The National Employment Standards                                                 76

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                          76

59.......... Guide to this Part............................................................................. 76

60.......... Meanings of employee and employer................................................ 76

Division 2--The National Employment Standards                                      77

61.......... The National Employment Standards are minimum standards applying to employment of employees                77

Division 3--Maximum weekly hours                                                                 78

62.......... Maximum weekly hours................................................................... 78

63.......... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for averaging of hours of work       79

64.......... Averaging of hours of work for award/agreement free employees... 80

Division 4--Requests for flexible working arrangements                      81

65.......... Requests for flexible working arrangements..................................... 81

66.......... State and Territory laws that are not excluded................................. 82

Division 5--Parental leave and related entitlements                                83

Subdivision A--General                                                                                           83

67.......... General rule--employee must have completed at least 12 months of service         83

68.......... General rule for adoption‑related leave--child must be under 16 etc. 85

69.......... Transfer of employment situations in which employee is entitled to continue on leave etc.  85

Subdivision B--Parental leave                                                                                86

70.......... Entitlement to unpaid parental leave................................................ 86

71.......... The period of leave--other than for members of an employee couple who each intend to take leave    86

72.......... The period of leave--members of an employee couple who each intend to take leave           87

73.......... Pregnant employee may be required to take unpaid parental leave within 6 weeks before the birth      89

74.......... Notice and evidence requirements.................................................... 91

75.......... Extending period of unpaid parental leave--extending to use more of available parental leave period   92

76.......... Extending period of unpaid parental leave--extending for up to 12 months beyond available parental leave period.......................................................................................................... 93

77.......... Reducing period of unpaid parental leave......................................... 95

78.......... Employee who ceases to have responsibility for care of child......... 95

79.......... Interaction with paid leave............................................................... 95

Subdivision C--Other entitlements                                                                       96

80.......... Unpaid special maternity leave........................................................ 96

81.......... Transfer to a safe job........................................................................ 97

82.......... Employee on paid no safe job leave may be asked to provide a further medical certificate    98

83.......... Consultation with employee on unpaid parental leave.................... 99

84.......... Return to work guarantee............................................................... 100

85.......... Unpaid pre‑adoption leave............................................................. 100

Division 6--Annual leave                                                                                       102

86.......... Division applies to employees other than casual employees......... 102

87.......... Entitlement to annual leave............................................................. 102

88.......... Taking paid annual leave................................................................. 103

89.......... Employee not taken to be on paid annual leave at certain times.... 104

90.......... Payment for annual leave................................................................ 104

91.......... Transfer of employment situations that affect entitlement to payment for period of untaken paid annual leave  104

92.......... Paid annual leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms        105

93.......... Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out and taking paid annual leave........................................................................................................ 105

94.......... Cashing out and taking paid annual leave for award/agreement free employees      106

Division 7--Personal/carer's leave and compassionate leave           108

Subdivision A--Paid personal/carer's leave                                                      108

95.......... Subdivision applies to employees other than casual employees.... 108

96.......... Entitlement to paid personal/carer's leave...................................... 108

97.......... Taking paid personal/carer's leave.................................................. 108

98.......... Employee taken not to be on paid personal/carer's leave on public holiday           109

99.......... Payment for paid personal/carer's leave......................................... 109

100........ Paid personal/carer's leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with permitted cashing out terms         109

101........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may include terms relating to cashing out paid personal/carer's leave........................................................................................................ 109

Subdivision B--Unpaid carer's leave                                                                   110

102........ Entitlement to unpaid carer's leave................................................ 110

103........ Taking unpaid carer's leave............................................................ 110

Subdivision C--Compassionate leave                                                                  110

104........ Entitlement to compassionate leave............................................... 110

105........ Taking compassionate leave........................................................... 111

106........ Payment for compassionate leave (other than for casual employees) 111

Subdivision D--Notice and evidence requirements                                          112

107........ Notice and evidence requirements.................................................. 112

Division 8--Community service leave                                                            114

108........ Entitlement to be absent from employment for engaging in eligible community service activity            114

109........ Meaning of eligible community service activity.............................. 114

110........ Notice and evidence requirements.................................................. 116

111........ Payment to employees (other than casuals) on jury service.......... 116

112........ State and Territory laws that are not excluded............................... 118

Division 9--Long service leave                                                                          119

113........ Entitlement to long service leave.................................................... 119

113A..... Enterprise agreements may contain terms discounting service under prior agreements etc. in certain circumstances........................................................................................................ 121

Division 10--Public holidays                                                                                123

114........ Entitlement to be absent from employment on public holiday...... 123

115........ Meaning of public holiday.............................................................. 124

116........ Payment for absence on public holiday.......................................... 125

Division 11--Notice of termination and redundancy pay                       126

Subdivision A--Notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice               126

117........ Requirement for notice of termination or payment in lieu............. 126

118........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for notice of termination by employees         127

Subdivision B--Redundancy pay                                                                          127

119........ Redundancy pay............................................................................. 127

120........ Variation of redundancy pay for other employment or incapacity to pay             128

121........ Exclusions from obligation to pay redundancy pay....................... 129

122........ Transfer of employment situations that affect the obligation to pay redundancy pay           129

Subdivision C--Limits on scope of this Division                                               131

123........ Limits on scope of this Division.................................................... 131

Division 12--Fair Work Information Statement                                        133

124........ Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare and publish Fair Work Information Statement                133

125........ Giving new employees the Fair Work Information Statement....... 133

Division 13--Miscellaneous                                                                                 135

126........ Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for school‑based apprentices and trainees to be paid loadings in lieu.............................................................................................. 135

127........ Regulations about what modern awards and enterprise agreements can do             135

128........ Relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements etc. permitted by this Part for award/agreement free employees................................................................................ 135

129........ Regulations about what can be agreed to etc. in relation to award/agreement free employees                136

130........ Restriction on taking or accruing leave or absence while receiving workers' compensation    136

131........ Relationship with other Commonwealth laws............................... 137

Part 2‑3--Modern awards                                                                                              138

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        138

132........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 138

133........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 139

Division 2--Overarching provisions                                                                140

134........ The modern awards objective......................................................... 140

135........ Special provisions relating to modern award minimum wages....... 141

Division 3--Terms of modern awards                                                             142

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                 142

136........ What can be included in modern awards......................................... 142

137........ Terms that contravene section 136 have no effect......................... 143

138........ Achieving the modern awards objective......................................... 143

Subdivision B--Terms that may be included in modern awards                     143

139........ Terms that may be included in modern awards--general............... 143

140........ Outworker terms............................................................................ 144

141........ Industry‑specific redundancy schemes.......................................... 145

142........ Incidental and machinery terms...................................................... 146

Subdivision C--Terms that must be included in modern awards                   146

143........ Coverage terms............................................................................... 146

144........ Flexibility terms.............................................................................. 148

145........ Effect of individual flexibility arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term             149

146........ Terms about settling disputes........................................................ 150

147........ Ordinary hours of work.................................................................. 150

148........ Base and full rates of pay for pieceworkers................................... 150

149........ Automatic variation of allowances................................................. 151

Subdivision D--Terms that must not be included in modern awards            151

150........ Objectionable terms........................................................................ 151

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

152........ Terms about right of entry............................................................. 151

153........ Terms that are discriminatory........................................................ 151

154........ Terms that contain State‑based differences.................................... 152

155........ Terms dealing with long service leave............................................. 153

Division 4--4 yearly reviews of modern awards                                        154

156........ 4 yearly reviews of modern awards to be conducted..................... 154

Division 5--Exercising modern award powers outside 4 yearly reviews and annual wage reviews      156

Subdivision A--Exercise of powers if necessary to achieve modern awards objective       156

157........ FWA may vary etc. modern awards if necessary to achieve modern awards objective          156

158........ Applications to vary, revoke or make modern award.................... 157

Subdivision B--Other situations                                                                         159

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

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

161........ Variation of modern award on referral by HREOC........................ 160

Division 6--General provisions relating to modern award powers 161

162........ General............................................................................................ 161

163........ Special criteria relating to changing coverage of modern awards..... 161

164........ Special criteria for revoking modern awards................................... 162

165........ When variation determinations come into operation, other than determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages.................................................................... 162

166........ When variation determinations setting, varying or revoking modern award minimum wages come into operation........................................................................................................ 163

167........ Special rules relating to retrospective variations of awards............ 164

168........ Varied modern award must be published........................................ 165

Part 2‑4--Enterprise agreements                                                                              166

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        166

169........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 166

170........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 167

171........ Objects of this Part......................................................................... 167

Division 2--Employers and employees may make enterprise agreements        169

172........ Making an enterprise agreement..................................................... 169

Division 3--Bargaining and representation during bargaining          172

173........ Notice of employee representational rights.................................... 172

174........ Content of notice of employee representational rights.................. 173

176........ Bargaining representatives for proposed enterprise agreements that are not greenfields agreements      174

178........ Appointment of bargaining representatives--other matters.......... 176

178A..... Revocation of appointment of bargaining representatives etc........ 177

Division 4--Approval of enterprise agreements                                       178

Subdivision A--Pre‑approval steps and applications for FWA approval       178

180........ Employees must be given a copy of a proposed enterprise agreement etc.            178

181........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed enterprise agreement 179

182........ When an enterprise agreement is made........................................... 180

183........ Entitlement of an employee organisation to have an enterprise agreement cover it                180

184........ Multi‑enterprise agreement to be varied if not all employees approve the agreement            181

185........ Bargaining representative must apply for FWA approval of an enterprise agreement           182

Subdivision B--Approval of enterprise agreements by FWA                         183

186........ When FWA must approve an enterprise agreement--general requirements           183

187........ When FWA must approve an enterprise agreement--additional requirements       185

188........ When employees have genuinely agreed to an enterprise agreement 186

189........ FWA may approve an enterprise agreement that does not pass better off overall test--public interest test        186

190........ FWA may approve an enterprise agreement with undertakings.... 187

191........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 188

192........ When FWA may refuse to approve an enterprise agreement......... 189

Subdivision C--Better off overall test                                                                 189

193........ Passing the better off overall test................................................... 189

Subdivision D--Unlawful terms                                                                            191

194........ Meaning of unlawful term............................................................... 191

195........ Meaning of discriminatory term..................................................... 192

Subdivision E--Approval requirements relating to particular kinds of employees            193

196........ Shiftworkers................................................................................... 193

197........ Pieceworkers--enterprise agreement includes pieceworker term... 193

198........ Pieceworkers--enterprise agreement does not include a pieceworker term            194

199........ School‑based apprentices and school‑based trainees...................... 194

200........ Outworkers..................................................................................... 195

Subdivision F--Other matters                                                                              195

201........ Approval decision to note certain matters..................................... 195

Division 5--Mandatory terms of enterprise agreements                     197

202........ Enterprise agreements to include a flexibility term etc................... 197

203........ Requirements to be met by a flexibility term................................. 198

204........ Effect of arrangement that does not meet requirements of flexibility term              199

205........ Enterprise agreements to include a consultation term etc............... 200

Division 6--Base rate of pay under enterprise agreements               202

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.......................................................................... 202

Division 7--Variation and termination of enterprise agreements    204

Subdivision A--Variation of enterprise agreements by employers and employees            204

207........ Variation of an enterprise agreement may be made by employers and employees 204

208........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed variation of an enterprise agreement         205

209........ When a variation of an enterprise agreement is made..................... 205

210........ Application for FWA approval of a variation of an enterprise agreement              206

211........ When FWA must approve a variation of an enterprise agreement. 206

212........ FWA may approve a variation of an enterprise agreement with undertakings        208

213........ Effect of undertakings..................................................................... 209

214........ When FWA may refuse to approve a variation of an enterprise agreement            210

215........ Approval decision to note undertakings......................................... 210

216........ When variation comes into operation............................................. 210

Subdivision B--Variations of enterprise agreements where there is ambiguity, uncertainty or discrimination        211

217........ Variation of an enterprise agreement to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty         211

217A..... FWA may deal with certain disputes about variations.................. 211

218........ Variation of an enterprise agreement on referral by HREOC......... 211

Subdivision C--Termination of enterprise agreements by employers and employees       212

219........ Employers and employees may agree to terminate an enterprise agreement           212

220........ Employers may request employees to approve a proposed termination of an enterprise agreement     213

221........ When termination of an enterprise agreement is agreed to............. 213

222........ Application for FWA approval of a termination of an enterprise agreement          214

223........ When FWA must approve a termination of an enterprise agreement 214

224........ When termination comes into operation......................................... 215

Subdivision D--Termination of enterprise agreements after nominal expiry date            215

225........ Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date            215

226........ When FWA must terminate an enterprise agreement..................... 215

227........ When termination comes into operation......................................... 216

Division 8--FWA's general role in facilitating bargaining                   217

Subdivision A--Bargaining orders                                                                     217

228........ Bargaining representatives must meet the good faith bargaining requirements        217

229........ Applications for bargaining orders................................................. 217

230........ When FWA may make a bargaining order...................................... 219

231........ What a bargaining order must specify............................................ 220

232........ Operation of a bargaining order...................................................... 221

233........ Contravening a bargaining order...................................................... 222

Subdivision B--Serious breach declarations                                                    222

234........ Applications for serious breach declarations.................................. 222

235........ When FWA may make a serious breach declaration....................... 222

Subdivision C--Majority support determinations and scope orders             224

236........ Majority support determinations................................................... 224

237........ When FWA must make a majority support determination............ 224

238........ Scope orders................................................................................... 225

239........ Operation of a scope order............................................................. 227

Subdivision D--FWA may deal with a bargaining dispute on request          228

240........ Application for FWA to deal with a bargaining dispute................ 228

Division 9--Low‑paid bargaining                                                                       229

241........ Objects of this Division.................................................................. 229

242........ Low‑paid authorisations................................................................. 229

243........ When FWA must make a low‑paid authorisation.......................... 230

244........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations--general............................... 232

245........ Variation of low‑paid authorisations--enterprise agreement etc. comes into operation         233

246........ FWA assistance for the low‑paid................................................... 233

Division 10--Single interest employer authorisations                           234

Subdivision A--Declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement    234

247........ Ministerial declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement       234

Subdivision B--Single interest employer authorisations                               235

248........ Single interest employer authorisations.......................................... 235

249........ When FWA must make a single interest employer authorisation.. 235

250........ What a single interest employer authorisation must specify......... 236

251........ Variation of single interest employer authorisations...................... 237

252........ Variation to extend period single interest employer authorisation is in operation  238

Division 11--Other matters                                                                                  239

253........ Terms of an enterprise agreement that are of no effect.................. 239

254........ Applications by bargaining representatives................................... 239

255........ Part does not empower FWA to make certain orders.................... 240

256........ Prospective employers and employees.......................................... 240

256A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described        240

257........ Enterprise agreements may incorporate material in force from time to time etc.    241

Part 2‑5--Workplace determinations                                                                      242

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        242

258........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 242

259........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 243

Division 2--Low‑paid workplace determinations                                      244

260........ Applications for low‑paid workplace determinations.................... 244

261........ When FWA must make a consent low‑paid workplace determination 245

262........ When FWA must make a special low‑paid workplace determination--general requirements                245

263........ When FWA must make a special low‑paid workplace determination--additional requirements            247

264........ Terms etc. of a low‑paid workplace determination........................ 247

265........ No other terms................................................................................ 248

Division 3--Industrial action related workplace determinations      249

266........ When FWA must make an industrial action related workplace determination        249

267........ Terms etc. of an industrial action related workplace determination 250

268........ No other terms................................................................................ 251

Division 4--Bargaining related workplace determinations                 252

269........ When FWA must make a bargaining related workplace determination 252

270........ Terms etc. of a bargaining related workplace determination........... 253

271........ No other terms................................................................................ 254

Division 5--Core terms, mandatory terms and agreed terms of workplace determinations etc.            256

272........ Core terms of workplace determinations........................................ 256

273........ Mandatory terms of workplace determinations............................. 257

274........ Agreed terms for workplace determinations................................... 258

275........ Factors FWA must take into account in deciding terms of a workplace determination          258

Division 6--Operation, coverage and interaction etc. of workplace determinations     260

276........ When a workplace determination operates etc............................... 260

277........ Employers, employees and employee organisations covered by a workplace determination 260

278........ Interaction of a workplace determination with enterprise agreements etc.              261

279........ Act applies to a workplace determination as if it were an enterprise agreement     262

Division 7--Other matters                                                                                    263

280........ Contravening a workplace determination....................................... 263

281........ Applications by bargaining representatives................................... 263

281A..... How employees, employers and employee organisations are to be described        263

Part 2‑6--Minimum wages                                                                                            265

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        265

282........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 265

283........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 266

Division 2--Overarching provisions                                                                267

284........ The minimum wages objective........................................................ 267

Division 3--Annual wage reviews                                                                     269

Subdivision A--Main provisions                                                                          269

285........ Annual wage reviews to be conducted............................................ 269

286........ When annual wage review determinations varying modern awards come into operation        269

287........ When national minimum wage orders come into operation etc...... 270

Subdivision B--Provisions about conduct of annual wage reviews                272

288........ General............................................................................................ 272

289........ Everyone to have a reasonable opportunity to make and comment on submissions              272

290........ President may direct investigations and reports............................. 273

291........ Research must be published........................................................... 273

292........ Varied wage rates must be published by 1 July............................. 274

Division 4--National minimum wage orders                                                275

293........ Contravening a national minimum wage order................................ 275

294........ Content of national minimum wage order--main provisions......... 275

295........ Content of national minimum wage order--other matters............. 276

296........ Variation of national minimum wage order to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct error            277

297........ When determinations varying national minimum wage orders come into operation                277

298........ Special rule about retrospective variations of national minimum wage orders        278

299........ When a national minimum wage order is in operation.................... 278

Part 2‑7--Equal remuneration                                                                                     280

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        280

300........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 280

301........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 280

Division 2--Equal remuneration orders                                                         281

302........ FWA may make an order requiring equal remuneration................. 281

303........ Equal remuneration order may increase, but must not reduce, rates of remuneration             282

304........ Equal remuneration order may implement equal remuneration in stages 282

305........ Contravening an equal remuneration order..................................... 282

306........ Inconsistency with modern awards, enterprise agreements and orders of FWA     282

Part 2‑8--Transfer of business                                                                                   284

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        284

307........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 284

308........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 284

309........ Object of this Part.......................................................................... 284

Division 2--Transfer of instruments                                                                286

310........ Application of this Division........................................................... 286

311........ When does a transfer of business occur.......................................... 286

312........ Instruments that may transfer........................................................ 288

313........ Transferring employees and new employer covered by transferable instrument    288

314........ New non‑transferring employees of new employer may be covered by transferable instrument           289

315........ Organisations covered by transferable instrument......................... 289

316........ Transferring employees who are high income employees.............. 290

Division 3--Powers of FWA                                                                                 292

317........ FWA may make orders in relation to a transfer of business.......... 292

318........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and transferring employees               292

319........ Orders relating to instruments covering new employer and non‑transferring employees       293

320........ Variation of transferable instruments............................................. 295

Part 2‑9--Other terms and condition of employment                                     298

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        298

321........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 298

322........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 298

Division 2--Payment of wages                                                                             299

323........ Method and frequency of payment................................................ 299

324........ Permitted deductions...................................................................... 299

325........ Unreasonable requirements to spend amount................................. 300

326........ Certain terms have no effect........................................................... 301

327........ Things given or provided, and amounts required to be spent, in contravention of this Division            301

Division 3--Guarantee of annual earnings                                                    303

328........ Employer obligations in relation to guarantee of annual earnings... 303

329........ High income employee................................................................... 304

330........ Guarantee of annual earnings and annual rate of guarantee............. 304

331........ Guaranteed period.......................................................................... 305

332........ Earnings.......................................................................................... 306

333........ High income threshold.................................................................... 307

333A..... Prospective employees................................................................... 307

Chapter 3--Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc.                                                                                                                       309

Part 3‑1--General protections                                                                                     309

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        309

334........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 309

335........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 309

336........ Objects of this Part......................................................................... 310

Division 2--Application of this Part                                                                  311

337........ Application of this Part.................................................................. 311

338........ Action to which this Part applies................................................... 311

339........ Additional effect of this Part.......................................................... 312

Division 3--Workplace rights                                                                              314

340........ Protection....................................................................................... 314

341........ Meaning of workplace right........................................................... 314

342........ Meaning of adverse action............................................................. 316

343........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 318

344........ Undue influence or pressure........................................................... 319

345........ Misrepresentations......................................................................... 319

Division 4--Industrial activities                                                                         320

346........ Protection....................................................................................... 320

347........ Meaning of engages in industrial activity....................................... 320

348........ Coercion.......................................................................................... 321

349........ Misrepresentations......................................................................... 321

350........ Inducements--membership action................................................. 322

Division 5--Other protections                                                                            323

351........ Discrimination................................................................................ 323

352........ Temporary absence--illness or injury........................................... 324

353........ Bargaining services fees.................................................................. 324

354........ Coverage by particular instruments................................................ 325

355........ Coercion--allocation of duties etc. to particular person................ 325

356........ Objectionable terms........................................................................ 326

Division 6--Sham arrangements                                                                        327

357........ Misrepresenting employment as independent contracting arrangement  327

358........ Dismissing to engage as independent contractor............................ 327

359........ Misrepresentation to engage as independent contractor................ 327

Division 7--Ancillary rules                                                                                    329

360........ Multiple reasons for action............................................................ 329

361........ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise.......... 329

362........ Advising, encouraging, inciting or coercing action.......................... 329

363........ Actions of industrial associations................................................... 329

364........ Unincorporated industrial associations.......................................... 331

Division 8--Compliance                                                                                          332

Subdivision A--Contraventions involving dismissal                                        332

365........ Application for FWA to deal with a dispute................................. 332

366........ Time for application....................................................................... 332

367........ Application fees............................................................................. 332

368........ Conferences.................................................................................... 333

369........ Certificate if dispute not resolved.................................................. 333

370........ Advice on general protections court application............................ 333

371........ General protections court applications.......................................... 334

Subdivision B--Other contraventions                                                                 334

372........ Application for FWA to deal with a dispute................................. 334

373........ Application fees............................................................................. 334

374........ Conferences.................................................................................... 335

375........ Advice on general protections court application............................ 335

Subdivision C--Conference costs                                                                        335

376........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................ 335

377........ Applications for costs orders......................................................... 336

378........ Contravening costs orders.............................................................. 336

Part 3‑2--Unfair dismissal                                                                                             337

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        337

379........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 337

380........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 337

381........ Object of this Part.......................................................................... 337

Division 2--Protection from unfair dismissal                                              339

382........ When a person is protected from unfair dismissal......................... 339

383........ Meaning of minimum employment period...................................... 339

384........ Period of employment.................................................................... 339

Division 3--What is an unfair dismissal                                                          341

385........ What is an unfair dismissal............................................................. 341

386........ Meaning of dismissed..................................................................... 341

387........ Criteria for considering harshness etc............................................. 342

388........ The Small Business Fair Dismissal Code....................................... 342

389........ Meaning of genuine redundancy..................................................... 343

Division 4--Remedies for unfair dismissal                                                   344

390........ When FWA may order remedy for unfair dismissal....................... 344

391........ Remedy--reinstatement etc........................................................... 344

392........ Remedy--compensation................................................................ 346

393........ Monetary orders may be in instalments......................................... 347

Division 5--Procedural matters                                                                          348

394........ Application for unfair dismissal remedy........................................ 348

395........ Application fees............................................................................. 348

396........ Initial matters to be considered before merits................................. 349

397........ Matters involving contested facts.................................................. 349

398........ Conferences.................................................................................... 349

399........ Hearings.......................................................................................... 350

400........ Appeal rights.................................................................................. 350

401........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................ 350

402........ Applications for costs orders......................................................... 351

403........ Schedule of costs............................................................................ 351

404........ Security for costs............................................................................ 352

405........ Contravening orders under this Part............................................... 352

Part 3‑3--Industrial action                                                                                             353

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        353

406........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 353

407........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 354

Division 2--Protected industrial action                                                          355

Subdivision A--What is protected industrial action                                        355

408........ Protected industrial action.............................................................. 355

409........ Employee claim action.................................................................... 355

410........ Employee response action.............................................................. 356

411........ Employer response action.............................................................. 357

412........ Pattern bargaining........................................................................... 358

Subdivision B--Common requirements for industrial action to be protected industrial action       359

413........ Common requirements that apply for industrial action to be protected industrial action       359

414........ Notice requirements for industrial action....................................... 360

Subdivision C--Significance of industrial action being protected industrial action          361

415........ Immunity provision........................................................................ 361

416........ Employer response action--employer may refuse to make payments to employees            362

Division 3--No industrial action before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc.       363

417........ Industrial action must not be organised or engaged in before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc.     363

Division 4--FWA orders stopping etc. industrial action                       365

418........ FWA must order that industrial action by employees or employers stop etc.       365

419........ FWA must order that industrial action by non‑national system employees or non‑national system employers stop etc......................................................................................................... 366

420........ Interim orders etc............................................................................ 367

421........ Contravening an order etc............................................................... 367

Division 5--Injunction against industrial action if pattern bargaining is being engaged in         369

422........ Injunction against industrial action if a bargaining representative is engaging in pattern bargaining        369

Division 6--Suspension or termination of protected industrial action by FWA                370

423........ FWA may suspend or terminate protected industrial action--significant economic harm etc.               370

424........ FWA must suspend or terminate protected industrial action--endangering life etc.              372

425........ FWA must suspend protected industrial action--cooling off........ 373

426........ FWA must suspend protected industrial action--significant harm to a third party               373

427........ FWA must specify the period of suspension................................ 374

428........ Extension of a period of suspension............................................... 375

429........ Employee claim action without a further protected action ballot after a period of suspension etc.       375

430........ Notice of employee claim action engaged in after a period of suspension etc.        376

Division 7--Ministerial declarations                                                                378

431........ Ministerial declaration terminating industrial action...................... 378

432........ Informing people of declaration...................................................... 378

433........ Ministerial directions to remove or reduce threat........................... 378

434........ Contravening a Ministerial direction.............................................. 379

Division 8--Protected action ballots                                                                380

Subdivision A--Introduction                                                                                 380

435........ Guide to this Division.................................................................... 380

436........ Object of this Division................................................................... 380

Subdivision B--Protected action ballot orders                                                  381

437........ Application for a protected action ballot order.............................. 381

438........ Restriction on when application may be made............................... 382

439........ Joint applications........................................................................... 382

440........ Notice of application...................................................................... 382

441........ Application to be determined within 2 days after it is made......... 383

442........ Dealing with multiple applications together................................... 383

443........ When FWA must make a protected action ballot order................. 383

444........ FWA may decide on ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission and independent advisor        384

445........ Notice of protected action ballot order........................................... 385

446........ Protected action ballot order may require 2 or more protected action ballots to be held at the same time             385

447........ Variation of protected action ballot order....................................... 386

448........ Revocation of protected action ballot order................................... 386

Subdivision C--Conduct of protected action ballot                                           387

449........ Protected action ballot to be conducted by Australian Electoral Commission or other specified ballot agent        387

450........ Directions for conduct of protected action ballot........................... 387

451........ Timetable for protected action ballot............................................. 388

452........ Compilation of roll of voters.......................................................... 389

453........ Who is eligible to be included on the roll of voters......................... 389

454........ Variation of roll of voters............................................................... 390

455........ Protected action ballot papers........................................................ 391

456........ Who may vote in protected action ballot....................................... 392

457........ Results of protected action ballot................................................... 392

458........ Report about conduct of protected action ballot............................ 392

Subdivision D--Effect of protected action ballot                                                394

459........ Circumstances in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot 394

460........ Immunity for persons who act in good faith on protected action ballot results      395

461........ Validity of protected action ballot etc. not affected by technical breaches             395

Subdivision E--Compliance                                                                                   396

462........ Interferences etc. with protected action ballot............................... 396

463........ Contravening a protected action ballot order etc............................ 398

Subdivision F--Liability for costs of protected action ballot                           398

464........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission            398

465........ Costs of protected action ballot conducted by protected action ballot agent other than the Australian Electoral Commission.................................................................................... 399

466........ Costs of legal challenges................................................................. 399

Subdivision G--Miscellaneous                                                                             400

467........ Information about employees on roll of voters not to be disclosed 400

468........ Records........................................................................................... 400

469........ Regulations..................................................................................... 401

Division 9--Payments relating to periods of industrial action            402

Subdivision A--Protected industrial action                                                       402

470........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action                402

471........ Payments relating to partial work bans.......................................... 403

472........ Orders by FWA relating to certain partial work bans.................... 405

473........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action  406

Subdivision B--Industrial action that is not protected industrial action      406

474........ Payments not to be made relating to certain periods of industrial action                406

475........ Accepting or seeking payments relating to periods of industrial action  408

Subdivision C--Miscellaneous                                                                             408

476........ Other responses to industrial action unaffected............................. 408

Division 10--Other matters                                                                                  409

477........ Applications by bargaining representatives................................... 409

Part 3‑4--Right of entry                                                                                                  410

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        410

478........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 410

479........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 410

480........ Object of this Part.......................................................................... 410

Division 2--Entry rights under this Act                                                         412

Subdivision A--Entry to investigate suspected contravention                        412

481........ Entry to investigate suspected contravention................................ 412

482........ Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................ 412

483........ Later access to record or document................................................ 414

483AA.. Application to FWA for access to non‑member records................ 415

Subdivision AA--Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF outworkers          416

483A..... Entry to investigate suspected contravention relating to TCF outworkers             416

483B..... Rights that may be exercised while on premises............................ 416

483C..... Later access to record or document................................................ 418

483D..... Entry onto other premises to access records and documents......... 419

483E...... Later access to record or document--other premises..................... 420

Subdivision B--Entry to hold discussions                                                          421

484........ Entry to hold discussions............................................................... 421

Subdivision C--Requirements for permit holders                                            421

486........ Permit holder must not contravene this Subdivision...................... 421

487........ Giving entry notice or exemption certificate.................................. 421

488........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................ 422

489........ Producing authority documents...................................................... 422

490........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 423

491........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................. 423

492........ Conduct of interviews in particular room etc................................. 424

493........ Residential premises....................................................................... 424

Division 3--State or Territory OHS rights                                                   425

494........ Official must be permit holder to exercise State or Territory OHS right 425

495........ Giving notice of entry..................................................................... 426

496........ Contravening entry permit conditions............................................ 427

497........ Producing entry permit................................................................... 427

498........ When right may be exercised.......................................................... 427

499........ Occupational health and safety requirements................................. 427

Division 4--Prohibitions                                                                                         428

500........ Permit holder must not hinder or obstruct..................................... 428

501........ Person must not refuse or delay entry........................................... 428

502........ Person must not hinder or obstruct permit holder......................... 428

503........ Misrepresentations about things authorised by this Part.............. 428

504........ Unauthorised use or disclosure of information or documents........ 429

Division 5--Powers of FWA                                                                                 431

Subdivision A--Dealing with disputes                                                                431

505........ FWA may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part.... 431

506........ Contravening order made to deal with dispute............................... 432

Subdivision B--Taking action against permit holder                                      432

507........ FWA may take action against permit holder.................................. 432

Subdivision C--Restricting rights of organisations and officials where misuse of rights              432

508........ FWA may restrict rights if organisation or official has misused rights 432

509........ Contravening order made for misuse of rights................................ 433

Subdivision D--When FWA must revoke or suspend entry permits            434

510........ When FWA must revoke or suspend entry permits...................... 434

Subdivision E--General rules for suspending entry permits                         435

511........ General rules for suspending entry permits................................... 435

Division 6--Entry permits, entry notices and certificates                    436

Subdivision A--Entry permits                                                                              436

512........ FWA may issue entry permits....................................................... 436

513........ Considering application.................................................................. 436

514........ When FWA must not issue permit................................................. 437

515........ Conditions on entry permit............................................................ 437

516........ Expiry of entry permit................................................................... 438

517........ Return of entry permits to FWA................................................... 439

Subdivision B--Entry notices                                                                               439

518........ Entry notice requirements.............................................................. 439

Subdivision C--Exemption certificates                                                               441

519........ Exemption certificates.................................................................... 441

Subdivision D--Affected member certificates                                                   442

520........ Affected member certificates.......................................................... 442

Subdivision E--Miscellaneous                                                                              442

521........ Regulations dealing with instruments under this Part.................... 442

Part 3‑5--Stand down                                                                                                       444

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        444

522........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 444

523........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 444

Division 2--Circumstances allowing stand down                                      445

524........ Employer may stand down employees in certain circumstances... 445

525........ Employee not stood down during a period of authorised leave or absence             446

Division 3--Dealing with disputes                                                                     447

526........ FWA may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part.... 447

527........ Contravening an FWA order dealing with a dispute about the operation of this Part             447

Part 3‑6--Other rights and responsibilities                                                          448

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        448

528........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 448

529........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 448

Division 2--Notification and consultation relating to certain dismissals              449

Subdivision A--Requirement to notify Centrelink                                           449

530........ Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed dismissals..... 449

Subdivision B--Failure to notify or consult registered employee associations  450

531........ FWA may make orders where failure to notify or consult registered employee associations about dismissals     450

532........ Orders that FWA may make.......................................................... 451

533........ Application for FWA order............................................................ 452

Subdivision C--Limits on scope of this Division                                               452

534........ Limits on scope of this Division.................................................... 452

Division 3--Employer obligations in relation to employee records and pay slips           454

535........ Employer obligations in relation to employee records................... 454

536........ Employer obligations in relation to pay slips................................ 454

Chapter 4--Compliance and enforcement                                       455

Part 4‑1--Civil remedies                                                                                                 455

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        455

537........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 455

538........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 455

Division 2--Orders                                                                                                    456

Subdivision A--Applications for orders                                                             456

539........ Applications for orders in relation to contraventions of civil remedy provisions   456

540........ Limitations on who may apply for orders etc................................ 466

541........ Applications for orders in relation to safety net contractual entitlements              468

542........ Entitlements under contracts.......................................................... 468

543........ Applications for orders in relation to statutory entitlements derived from contracts             468

544........ Time limit on applications.............................................................. 469

Subdivision B--Orders                                                                                          469

545........ Orders that can be made by particular courts................................. 469

546........ Pecuniary penalty orders................................................................ 471

547........ Interest up to judgment.................................................................. 472

Division 3--Small claims procedure                                                                 473

548........ Plaintiffs may choose small claims procedure................................ 473

Division 4--General provisions relating to civil remedies                  475

549........ Contravening a civil remedy provision is not an offence................ 475

550........ Involvement in contravention treated in same way as actual contravention            475

551........ Civil evidence and procedure rules for proceedings relating to civil remedy provisions         475

552........ Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings.................................. 475

553........ Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings................................ 476

554........ Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings.................................. 476

555........ Evidence given in proceedings for pecuniary penalty not admissible in criminal proceedings                476

556........ Civil double jeopardy..................................................................... 477

557........ Course of conduct........................................................................... 477

558........ Regulations dealing with infringement notices................................ 478

Division 5--Unclaimed money                                                                             479

559........ Unclaimed money........................................................................... 479

Part 4‑2--Jurisdiction and powers of courts                                                        480

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        480

560........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 480

561........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 480

Division 2--Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Court                  481

562........ Conferring jurisdiction on the Federal Court.................................. 481

563........ Exercising jurisdiction in the Fair Work Division of the Federal Court 481

564........ No limitation on Federal Court's powers....................................... 482

565........ Appeals from eligible State or Territory courts............................. 482

Division 3--Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Magistrates Court               483

566........ Conferring jurisdiction on the Federal Magistrates Court.............. 483

567........ Exercising jurisdiction in the Fair Work Division of the Federal Magistrates Court               483

568........ No limitation on Federal Magistrates Court's powers................... 483

Division 4--Miscellaneous                                                                                    484

569........ Minister's entitlement to intervene................................................ 484

570........ Costs only if proceedings instituted vexatiously etc...................... 484

571........ No imprisonment for failure to pay pecuniary penalty................. 485

572........ Regulations dealing with matters relating to court proceedings...... 485

Chapter 5--Administration                                                                              486

Part 5‑1--Fair Work Australia                                                                                    486

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        486

573........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 486

574........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 487

574A..... Schedule 1....................................................................................... 487

Division 2--Establishment and functions of Fair Work Australia    488

Subdivision A--Establishment and functions of Fair Work Australia         488

575........ Establishment of Fair Work Australia............................................ 488

576........ Functions of FWA.......................................................................... 488

577........ Performance of functions etc. by FWA.......................................... 489

578........ Matters FWA must take into account in performing functions etc. 489

579........ FWA has privileges and immunities of the Crown......................... 490

580........ Protection of FWA Members......................................................... 490

Subdivision B--Functions and powers of the President                                   490

581........ Functions of the President.............................................................. 490

582........ Directions by the President............................................................ 491

583........ President not subject to direction................................................... 492

584........ Delegation of functions and powers of the President..................... 492

Division 3--Conduct of matters before FWA                                              493

Subdivision A--Applications to FWA                                                                  493

585........ Applications in accordance with procedural rules.......................... 493

586........ Correcting and amending applications and documents etc............. 493

587........ Dismissing applications.................................................................. 493

588........ Discontinuing applications............................................................. 494

Subdivision B--Conduct of matters before FWA                                              494

589........ Procedural and interim decisions.................................................... 494

590........ Powers of FWA to inform itself..................................................... 494

591........ FWA not bound by rules of evidence and procedure..................... 495

592........ Conferences.................................................................................... 495

593........ Hearings.......................................................................................... 495

594........ Confidential evidence...................................................................... 496

595........ FWA's power to deal with disputes.............................................. 497

Subdivision C--Representation by lawyers and paid agents and Minister's entitlement to make submissions           497

596........ Representation by lawyers and paid agents................................... 497

597........ Minister's entitlement to make submissions.................................. 498

Subdivision D--Decisions of FWA                                                                      499

598........ Decisions of FWA.......................................................................... 499

599........ FWA not required to decide an application in terms applied for... 499

600........ Determining matters in the absence of a person............................. 499

601........ Writing and publication requirements for FWA's decisions.......... 500

602........ Correcting obvious errors etc. in relation to FWA's decisions....... 501

603........ Varying and revoking FWA's decisions......................................... 501

Subdivision E--Appeals, reviews and referring questions of law                   502

604........ Appeal of decisions........................................................................ 502

605........ Minister's entitlement to apply for review of a decision............... 502

606........ Staying decisions that are appealed or reviewed............................ 503

607........ Process for appealing or reviewing decisions................................. 504

608........ Referring questions of law to the Federal Court............................. 504

Subdivision F--Miscellaneous                                                                              505

609........ Procedural rules.............................................................................. 505

610........ Regulations dealing with FWA matters.......................................... 506

611........ Costs............................................................................................... 506

Division 4--Organisation of FWA                                                                     507

Subdivision A--Functions etc. to be performed by a single FWA Member, a Full Bench or the Minimum Wage Panel                                                                                                       507

612........ FWA functions etc. may generally be performed by single FWA Member            507

613........ Appeal of decisions to be heard by a Full Bench, the President or a Deputy President         507

614........ Review of decisions by a Full Bench.............................................. 508

615........ FWA functions etc. performed by a Full Bench on direction by the President      508

616........ FWA functions etc. that must be performed by a Full Bench....... 508

617........ FWA functions etc. that must be performed by the Minimum Wage Panel           509

Subdivision B--Constitution of FWA by a single FWA Member, a Full Bench or the Minimum Wage Panel             509

618........ Constitution and decision‑making of a Full Bench......................... 509

619........ Seniority of FWA Members........................................................... 510

620........ Constitution and decision‑making of the Minimum Wage Panel.... 510

621........ Reconstitution of FWA when single FWA Member becomes unavailable              511

622........ Reconstitution of FWA when FWA Member of a Full Bench or the Minimum Wage Panel becomes unavailable........................................................................................................ 511

623........ When new FWA Members begin to deal with matters.................. 512

624........ FWA's decisions not invalid when improperly constituted.......... 512

Subdivision C--Delegation of FWA's functions and powers                          512

625........ Delegation by the President of functions and powers of FWA..... 512

Division 5--FWA Members                                                                                 514

Subdivision A--Appointment of FWA Members                                               514

626........ Appointment of FWA Members................................................... 514

627........ Qualifications for appointment of FWA Members........................ 514

628........ Basis of appointment of FWA Members....................................... 516

629........ Period of appointment of FWA Members..................................... 516

Subdivision B--Terms and conditions of FWA Members                               517

630........ Appointment of a Judge not to affect tenure etc............................ 517

631........ Dual federal and State appointments of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners     517

632........ Dual federal and Territory appointments of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners              518

633........ Outside employment of FWA Members....................................... 518

634........ Oath or affirmation of office........................................................... 518

635........ Remuneration of the President....................................................... 519

636........ Application of Judges' Pensions Act to the President................... 519

637........ Remuneration of FWA Members other than the President............ 520

638........ Remuneration of Deputy Presidents or Commissioners performing duties on a part‑time basis           521

639........ Leave of absence of FWA Members other than the President....... 522

640........ Disclosure of interests by FWA Members other than the President 522

641........ Termination of appointment on grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity                523

642........ Suspension on grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity.................. 523

643........ Termination of appointment for bankruptcy, etc.......................... 524

644........ Termination of appointment for outside employment................... 525

645........ Resignation of FWA Members....................................................... 525

646........ Other terms and conditions of FWA Members.............................. 525

647........ Appointment of acting President................................................... 525

648........ Appointment of acting Deputy Presidents.................................... 526

Division 6--Cooperation with the States                                                       528

649........ President to cooperate with prescribed State industrial authorities 528

650........ Provision of administrative support............................................... 528

Division 7--Seals and additional powers and functions of the President and the General Manager     529

651........ Seals................................................................................................ 529

652........ Annual report................................................................................. 529

653........ Reports about making enterprise agreements, individual flexibility arrangements etc.            530

653A..... Arrangements with the Federal Court and the Federal Magistrates Court              531

654........ President must provide certain information etc. to the Minister and Fair Work Ombudsman               531

655........ Disclosure of information by FWA................................................ 532

Division 8--General Manager, staff and consultants                              533

Subdivision A--Functions of the General Manager                                         533

656........ Establishment................................................................................. 533

657........ Functions and powers of the General Manager.............................. 533

658........ Directions from the President......................................................... 533

659........ General Manager not otherwise subject to direction...................... 534

Subdivision B--Appointment and terms and conditions of the General Manager               534

660........ Appointment of the General Manager........................................... 534

661........ Remuneration of the General Manager........................................... 534

662........ Leave of absence of the General Manager...................................... 534

663........ Outside employment of the General Manager............................... 535

664........ Disclosure of interests to the President.......................................... 535

665........ Resignation of the General Manager............................................... 535

666........ Termination of appointment of the General Manager.................... 535

667........ Other terms and conditions of the General Manager...................... 536

668........ Appointment of acting General Manager....................................... 536

669........ Minister to consult the President................................................... 536

Subdivision C--Staff and consultants                                                                 537

670........ Staff................................................................................................ 537

671........ Delegation by General Manager to staff......................................... 537

672........ Persons assisting FWA................................................................... 537

673........ Consultants..................................................................................... 538

Division 9--Offences relating to Fair Work Australia                            539

674........ Offences in relation to FWA.......................................................... 539

675........ Contravening an FWA order........................................................... 541

676........ Intimidation etc............................................................................... 541

677........ Offences in relation to attending before FWA................................ 542

678........ False or misleading evidence........................................................... 543

Part 5‑2--Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman                                                544

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        544

679........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 544

680........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 544

Division 2--Fair Work Ombudsman                                                                545

Subdivision A--Establishment and functions and powers of the Fair Work Ombudsman                545

681........ Establishment................................................................................. 545

682........ Functions of the Fair Work Ombudsman....................................... 545

683........ Delegation by the Fair Work Ombudsman..................................... 546

684........ Directions from the Minister.......................................................... 546

685........ Minister may require reports......................................................... 547

686........ Annual report................................................................................. 547

Subdivision B--Appointment and terms and conditions of the Fair Work Ombudsman   547

687........ Appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman................................. 547

688........ Remuneration of the Fair Work Ombudsman................................. 548

689........ Leave of absence of the Fair Work Ombudsman............................ 548

690........ Outside employment of the Fair Work Ombudsman..................... 548

691........ Disclosure of interests to the Minister........................................... 548

692........ Resignation of the Fair Work Ombudsman.................................... 549

693........ Termination of appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman......... 549

694........ Other terms and conditions of the Fair Work Ombudsman........... 549

695........ Appointment of acting Fair Work Ombudsman............................. 550

Division 3--Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman                                    551

Subdivision A--Establishment of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 551

696........ Establishment of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman........... 551

Subdivision B--Staff and consultants etc.                                                          551

697........ Staff................................................................................................ 551

698........ Persons assisting the Fair Work Ombudsman................................ 551

699........ Consultants..................................................................................... 552

Subdivision C--Appointment of Fair Work Inspectors                                   552

700........ Appointment of Fair Work Inspectors.......................................... 552

701........ Fair Work Ombudsman is a Fair Work Inspector.......................... 552

702........ Identity cards.................................................................................. 552

Subdivision D--Functions and powers of Fair Work Inspectors                   553

703........ Conditions and restrictions on functions and powers.................... 553

704........ General directions by the Fair Work Ombudsman......................... 554

705........ Particular directions by the Fair Work Ombudsman...................... 554

706........ Purpose for which powers of inspectors may be exercised........... 554

707........ When powers of inspectors may be exercised................................ 555

708........ Power of inspectors to enter premises........................................... 555

709........ Powers of inspectors while on premises........................................ 556

710........ Persons assisting inspectors........................................................... 556

711........ Power to ask for person's name and address................................. 557

712........ Power to require persons to produce records or documents.......... 557

713........ Self‑incrimination............................................................................ 558

714........ Power to keep records or documents............................................. 558

715........ Enforceable undertakings relating to contraventions of civil remedy provisions     559

716........ Compliance notices......................................................................... 560

717........ Review of compliance notices........................................................ 562

Subdivision E--Disclosure of information by the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman  562

718........ Disclosure of information by the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman 562

Chapter 6--Miscellaneous                                                                               565

Part 6‑1--Multiple actions                                                                                             565

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        565

719........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 565

720........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 565

Division 2--Certain actions not permitted if alternative action can be taken    566

721........ Equal remuneration applications.................................................... 566

722........ Notification and consultation requirements applications............... 566

723........ Unlawful termination applications................................................. 567

Division 3--Preventing multiple actions                                                        568

Subdivision A--Equal remuneration applications                                             568

724........ Equal remuneration applications.................................................... 568

Subdivision B--Applications and complaints relating to dismissal              569

725........ General rule..................................................................................... 569

726........ Dismissal remedy bargaining order applications............................ 569

727........ General protections FWA applications.......................................... 569

728........ General protections court applications.......................................... 570

729........ Unfair dismissal applications......................................................... 570

730........ Unlawful termination FWA applications....................................... 570

731........ Unlawful termination court applications........................................ 571

732........ Applications and complaints under other laws.............................. 571

733........ Dismissal does not include failure to provide benefits................... 572

Subdivision C--General protections applications that do not relate to dismissal               572

734........ General rule..................................................................................... 572

Part 6‑2--Dealing with disputes                                                                                 574

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        574

735........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 574

736........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 574

Division 2--Dealing with disputes                                                                     575

Subdivision A--Model term about dealing with disputes                                 575

737........ Model term about dealing with disputes........................................ 575

Subdivision B--Dealing with disputes                                                                575

738........ Application of this Division........................................................... 575

739........ Disputes dealt with by FWA......................................................... 575

740........ Dispute dealt with by persons other than FWA............................ 576

Part 6‑3--Extension of National Employment Standards entitlements 578

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        578

741........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 578

742........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 578

Division 2--Extension of entitlement to unpaid parental leave and related entitlements          579

Subdivision A--Main provisions                                                                          579

743........ Object of this Division................................................................... 579

744........ Extending the entitlement to unpaid parental leave and related entitlements          579

745........ Contravening the extended parental leave provisions..................... 580

746........ References to the National Employment Standards include extended parental leave provisions            581

747........ State and Territory laws that are not excluded............................... 581

Subdivision B--Modifications of the extended parental leave provisions     581

748........ Non‑national system employees are not award/agreement free employees            581

749........ Modification of meaning of base rate of pay for pieceworkers...... 581

750........ Modification of meaning of full rate of pay for pieceworkers........ 582

751........ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work--if determined by State industrial instrument      582

752........ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work--if not determined by State industrial instrument               582

753........ Modification of meaning of ordinary hours of work--regulations may prescribe usual weekly hours  583

754........ Modification of meaning of pieceworker........................................ 583

755........ Modification of provision about interaction with paid leave......... 583

756........ Modification of provision about relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements             583

757........ Modification of power to make regulations................................... 584

Division 3--Extension of entitlement to notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice      585

Subdivision A--Main provisions                                                                          585

758........ Object of this Division................................................................... 585

759........ Extending entitlement to notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice           585

760........ Contravening the extended notice of termination provisions......... 586

761........ References to the National Employment Standards include extended notice of termination provisions 586

762........ State and Territory laws that are not excluded............................... 587

Subdivision B--Modifications of the extended notice of termination provisions 587

763........ Non‑national system employees are not award/agreement free employees            587

764........ Modification of meaning of full rate of pay for pieceworkers........ 587

765........ Modification of meaning of pieceworker........................................ 587

766........ Modification of provision about notice of termination by employee 588

767........ Modification of provision about relationship between National Employment Standards and agreements             588

768........ Modification of power to make regulations................................... 588

Part 6‑4--Additional provisions relating to termination of employment 589

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        589

769........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 589

770........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 589

Division 2--Termination of employment                                                       590

771........ Object of this Division................................................................... 590

772........ Employment not to be terminated on certain grounds................... 590

773........ Application for FWA to deal with a dispute................................. 592

774........ Time for application....................................................................... 592

775........ Application fees............................................................................. 593

776........ Conferences.................................................................................... 593

777........ Certificate if dispute not resolved.................................................. 593

778........ Advice on unlawful termination court application......................... 593

779........ Unlawful termination court applications........................................ 594

780........ Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents................................ 594

781........ Applications for costs orders......................................................... 595

782........ Contravening costs orders.............................................................. 595

783........ Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise.......... 595

Division 3--Notification and consultation requirements relating to certain terminations of employment                                                                                                                    596

Subdivision A--Object of this Division                                                               596

784........ Object of this Division................................................................... 596

Subdivision B--Requirement to notify Centrelink                                           596

785........ Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed terminations.. 596

Subdivision C--Failure to notify or consult registered employee associations  597

786........ FWA may make orders where failure to notify or consult registered employee associations about terminations  597

787........ Orders that FWA may make.......................................................... 598

788........ Application to FWA for order....................................................... 599

Subdivision D--Limits on scope of this Division                                               599

789........ Limits on scope of this Division.................................................... 599

Part 6‑5--Miscellaneous                                                                                                601

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        601

790........ Guide to this Part........................................................................... 601

791........ Meanings of employee and employer.............................................. 601

Division 2--Miscellaneous                                                                                    602

792........ Delegation by Minister................................................................... 602

793........ Liability of bodies corporate.......................................................... 602

794........ Signature on behalf of body corporate............................................ 603

795........ Public sector employer to act through employing authority.......... 603

796........ Regulations--general...................................................................... 605

797........ Regulations dealing with offences................................................... 605

798........ Regulations dealing with civil penalties.......................................... 605

799........ Regulations dealing with infringement notices................................ 605

800........ Regulations dealing with exhibiting fair work instruments............. 606

Schedule 1--Transitional provisions                                                      607

1............ Definitions...................................................................................... 607

2............ Appointments to Fair Work Australia........................................... 607

3............ Terms and conditions..................................................................... 609

4............ Seniority of FWA Members........................................................... 609

5............ Procedural rules.............................................................................. 610

6............ Transfer of assets and liabilities..................................................... 610

7............ Additional function and power of the General Manager................ 611

 


 

 

Fair Work Act 2009

No. 28, 2009

 

 

 

An Act relating to workplace relations, and for related purposes

[Assented to 7 April 2009]

The Parliament of Australia enacts: