2023-24 Federal Industrial Relations Update
2023 has been another big year in the industrial relations landscape. Most of the major legislative changes passed by the federal government over the past 12-18 months have now come into legal effect, but there are plenty more changes on the horizon. This alert summarises the following: Recent changes which are now in effect Limitation […]
Minimum award wages – On the rise by 5.75%
The Fair Work Commission (Commission) handed down its Annual Wage Review decision on 2 June 2023. The Commission approved a 5.75% increase to modern award minimum wages and the national minimum wage will increase to $23.23 p/h.
Secure Jobs, Better Pay – new prohibitions on sexual harassment have commenced
The next round of amendments as set out in the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) have taken effect from 6 March 2023.
Secure Jobs, Better Pay – What do employers need to be doing now?
There has been a lot happening in the industrial relations space of late, not least of all the commencement of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) (Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act), which received Royal Assent on 6 December 2022.
Paid family and domestic violence leave now available to (most) employees
From 1 February 2023, employees of non-small business employers (including casuals and part-time employees) are entitled to 10 days’ paid family and domestic violence (FDV) leave per annum.
New penalty and overtime rates for “Professional Employees”
The Fair Work Commission (Commission) has handed down a decision to vary the Professional Employees Award 2020 (Award) to include specific penalty and overtime rates and to clarify that Award’s coverage.
What should your business be doing to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace?
As recently reported in the media, Bakers Delight has been the subject of an investigation by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) to determine its compliance with the positive duty to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate workplace sexual harassment, as far as possible.
Sharp rise in cost-of-living drives 5.2% wage increase
The Fair Work Commission’s (Commission) Expert Panel for annual wage reviews (Panel) handed down its Annual Wage Review decision on 15 June 2022. The Panel approved a $40 per week increase to the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which amounts to an increase of 5.2%.
FWC offers up 10 days’ paid family and domestic violence leave
On 16 May 2022, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) delivered a decision confirming its provisional view to include an entitlement to 10 days’ paid family and domestic violence (FDV) leave in modern awards.
Large employer caught out by unreasonable hours in employment agreement
In a recent Federal Court decision that serves as a pertinent reminder about the primacy of the National Employment Standards over contract terms, a large employer has been found liable for contravening the maximum weekly hours requirements set out in section 62 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act), which forms part of the National Employment Standards (NES).