Awards

Many jobs are covered by a federal or state industrial award. Awards outline the rights and obligations of employers and the legally binding minimum wage rates and employment conditions for employees.

As an employer, you will need to determine if the new federal workplace relations system affects you and if so, what you need to comply with.

For more information on award coverage under the new system, view the Workplace Authority website.

Agreements

On 28 March 2008, the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008 came into effect. The bill prevents the creation of new Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs), introduces Individual Transitional Employment Agreements (ITEAs), and puts in place a new No-disadvantage test for future workplace agreements.

For more information on the changes to the federal workplace relations system, visit the Workplace Authority website.

Contracts

Written common law contracts of employment also set out wages and conditions for employees not covered by an award or agreement.