Employment

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced an increase to the National Minimum Wage and Modern Awards this morning (Monday 3 June 2024), following the annual minimum wage review.

In accordance with the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020, the relevant wage rate for a first and second-year apprentice will depend on whether the employee has completed year 12 or not.

Starting from May 1, 2023, amendments have been made to Awards, requiring employers to issue written notices to all affected employees detailing the commencement date of the temporary shutdown and the date they should return to work.

It is important employers understand the requirements for requesting medical certificates and what to look out for.

With workplace disruptions certain in the next days because of Cyclone Alfred, employers need to understand their rights and obligations under the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) and Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, while also considering provisions in Industrial Instruments such as Enterprise Agreements and Modern Awards.

Part 1 of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023 received became legislated on 14 December 2023. More amendments will commence in the coming months.

On 30 March 2023, the Federal Parliament passed the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023, which aims to address the gender pay gap in Australia.

Answering your leave questions surrounding businesses and employees unable to work.

As of August 2024, significant changes are coming to the Fair Work Act with the introduction of a new definition for ‘employee’ and ‘employer’.