Workplace relations in Australia
The Australian national workplace relations system establishes a safety net of minimum terms and conditions of employment and a range of other workplace rights and responsibilities.
Current workplace relations issues
The Government's workplace relations programmes, services and information include:
- The national workplace relations system – established by the Fair Work Act 2009 and other laws.
- Paid Parental Leave – offers eligible working parents 18 weeks of government funded Parental Leave Pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage.
- Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) – provides financial assistance to cover certain unpaid employment entitlements to eligible employees who lose their job due the liquidation or bankruptcy of their employer, where the liquidation or bankruptcy occurred on or after 5 December 2012.
- Building Code 2016 – The Code applies to all Commonwealth funded building work undertaken for, or on behalf of a funding entity, if the funding entity issued the expression of interest or request for tender on or after 2 December 2016.
There are a number of related agencies that help deliver the Australian Government's workplace relations system:
- Fair Work Ombudsman
- Fair Work Commission
- Safe Work Australia
- Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner
- Registered Organisations Commission
- Australian Building and Construction Commission
- The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission
- Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority
Single-enterprise agreement making and approval process map and user-centred analysis
In October 2019, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) was engaged to facilitate and prepare a process map of the single-enterprise agreement making and approval process, and undertake user centred analysis of this process.
Review of the Deemed Disease Legislative Instrument 2017
In August 2017, Dr Tim Driscoll provided to the department a supplementary report to support the update of the Comcare Scheme's current deemed diseases legislative instrument.
Information contained in this report was used to develop the Instrument.
Review of the Greenfields Provisions of the Fair Work Amendment Act 2015
In 2017, Mr Matthew O'Callaghan was engaged to undertake a review of the greenfields agreement provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 which were the subject of legislative amendments in 2015. As part of the review, employee organisations, employer organisations and parties that have experience with greenfields agreement making were invited to provide submissions.
Review of Safe Work Australia’s role and functions
On 8 November 2016, the report on the Review of Safe Work Australia's Role and Functions was tabled in Parliament. The Review was a requirement of section 72 of the Safe Work Australia Act 2008 (Cth) (SWA Act).
Managing Workers Compensation in the Commonwealth
In 2014, a sub-committee of deputy secretaries was set up to improve workers compensation outcomes for the Australian Public Service (APS). From late 2014 to mid-2016 the working group piloted initiatives to improve performance in a number of areas. A booklet was developed, highlighting some of the achievements of the pilot programs.
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Fair protection for firefighters) Act 2011 Review
In December 2013, a review into the Firefighters' Act was undertaken by Ms Raelene Sharp to assess whether amendments made to the Act are operating as intended and whether they have streamlined the determination of claims made by firefighters seeking compensation for the prescribed cancers.
Better regulation and governance, enhanced transparency and improved competition in superannuation
On 28 November 2013, the Australian Government released a discussion paper seeking feedback on a range of policy proposals for superannuation. It asked for feedback on the best way to improve transparency and competition in the employee default superannuation funds market, and policy proposals arising from the government's election commitments on superannuation.
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Review
In 2012, a review into the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (1988) was undertaken by Mr Peter Hanks QC and Dr Allan Hawke AC. The objectives were to ensure that its objectives were being met and the Comcare Scheme was exemplary in its design and delivery.
Seafarers, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Review
In 2012, a review of the national compensation scheme for seafarers was undertaken by Mr Robin Stewart-Crompton. The final report was published May 2013.
Comcare Review
On 11 December 2007 a moratorium on corporations joining the Comcare scheme, and a review of self-insurance arrangements commenced. The review's final report was published 25 September 2009.