Member Login
Workplace Relations
05 Jul 2024
Changes from 1 July
From 1 July (last Monday) a series of changes have taken place in the workplace relations system. Employers must be aware that since Monday:
- The national minimum wage will be $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per (38 hour) week
- Modern award minimum wages will increase by 3.75 per cent
- The modern award term for delegates rights will commence
- Union officials will gain right of entry without notice to investigate suspected underpayments
- The high-income threshold will rise to $175,000
- The unfair dismissal compensation limit will increase to $87,500
ACCI has produced this factsheet for members on the 1 July changes, which is available for co-branding.
If you have any concerns or questions please reach out to a member of the Workplace Relations Team at [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]
Junior Rates Application
The Fair Work Commission this week published its directions on the application by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) to abolish junior rates for those aged 18 and over, and increase the pay afforded to those aged below 18 in the following three awards:
- General Retail Industry Award 2020
- Fast Food Industry Award 2020
- Pharmacy Industry Award 2020
The SDA and supporting parties are to file their submissions and evidence by 29 October, opposing parties to respond by 11 March 2025. The Commission will hold its next directions hearing on the matter on 21 March 2025.
ACCI will oppose the SDA application and is looking to consult across industries and associations to help formulate a coordinated response to the SDA’s application.
While this specific matter only impacts the abovementioned awards, the Commission may set precedent and that could have ramifications for all 75 modern awards that have junior rates.
Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill 2024
The Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill 2024 passed the Senate this week, having been introduced to the House of Representatives last week. The Bill is accessible here, no amendments were made by either chamber.
The legislation changes the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 to enable the Manufacturing Division to de-merge from the CFMEU, if supported by a ballot of relevant members. The manufacturing division of the CFMEU has sought to put the question of its withdrawal to members but has been prevented from doing so by the construction division.
The Bill resembles the amendment which Senator Jacqui Lambie put forward to the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No 2) Bill 2023 earlier this year. That amendment was voted down by the government at the time.
This legislation does not allow any other division of any other union to de-merge.
Related Posts
Workplace Relations
26/07/2024
Modern Awards – Casual Employment Term Last week, the Fair Work Commission President, Justice Hatcher, made a statement announcing proceedings on the Commission’s own initiative to determine...
Workplace Relations
19/07/2024
Modern Awards Review The Fair Work Commission published its report on the Modern Awards Review 2023-24 yesterday, along with a statement from Fair Work Commission President, Justice Adam Hatcher,...
Small Business
19/07/2024
Small Business Survey The Small Business Committee met this week, and members received a briefing on the results of the Small Business Survey ahead of...
Trade
19/07/2024
There is still time to join the next ACCI Trade Policy Committee on 1 August, at 2:00 pm AEST, featuring special guest speaker George Mina. ...
Tourism
19/07/2024
Sustainable Aviation Fuel submission Australian Chamber - Tourism made a submission to the government's consultation on low-carbon liquid fuels this week. The submission outlines the...
Employment & Skills
19/07/2024
Apprenticeship Incentives Review The 'What We Heard' summary paper from the Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System was released this week. The critical...
Economics
19/07/2024
Unemployment rate slightly up Labour force statistics released this week highlight that the unemployment rate increased slightly from 4 per cent in May to 4.1 per cent...
Workplace Relations
12/07/2024
Right to Disconnect The President of the Fair Work Commission, Justice Adam Hatcher, has published a statement and the draft modern award term for the...
Trade and International Affairs
12/07/2024
ACCI Trade Committee Meeting The next ACCI Trade Policy Committee will feature special guest speaker George Mina, followed by a short Q&A session. George is...
Data, Digital and Cyber
12/07/2024
Upcoming forum meeting The Data, Digital & Cyber (DDC) Forum will hold a meeting on Wednesday 17th July from 10:30am to 12pm AEST. Please contact Ross Creelman for more information.
Small Business
12/07/2024
Upcoming committee meeting The next meeting of the Small Business Committee will be held online on Friday, 19 July from 10:30 am-11:30 AEST. The meeting...
Work, Health and Safety
12/07/2024
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke has endorsed ACCI's nomination of Jennifer Low, director of health, safety, resilience, and digital policy, to the...
Economics
12/07/2024
Productivity Commission report on economic mobility The Productivity Commission report on economic mobility released this week shows that, on average, Australia’s long-term economic growth has led...
Employment and Skills
12/07/2024
New NCVER data release: Government-funded students and courses 2023 According to the recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) release, an estimated 7.1 per cent...
Trade and International
5/07/2024
ACCI Trade Committee Meeting Join us at the next ACCI Trade Committee on Thursday, 1 August, at 2:00 pm AEST. This meeting will feature a...
Small Business
5/07/2024
Payment times reforms pass Amendments to the Payment Times Reporting Act 2020 passed Parliament this week. The amendments implement recommendations made through the Statutory Review conducted by Dr Craig...
Work, Health & Safety
5/07/2024
Engineered stone ban is now in effect The prohibition on the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs commenced on...
Energy
5/07/2024
Nature Positive Bill introduced The Nature Positive Bill was introduced to Parliament this week. This Bill establishes a new Environment Protection Agency (EPA) responsible for...
Economics
5/07/2024
Future Made in Australia The Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024 was tabled in...
Workplace Relations
28/06/2024
Changes Commencing 1 July From Monday 1 July, a series of changes will occur in the workplace relations system. Employers must be aware that: The...