Australia's new Workplace Relations System
The Australian Government has introduced the Fair Work Bill 2008, which, once passed, will put in place a new workplace relations system built on:
- a fair and comprehensive safety net of minimum employment conditions
- a system that has at its heart bargaining in good faith at the enterprise level
- protections from unfair dismissal for all employees
- protection for the low-paid
- a balance between work and family life, and
- the right to be represented in the workplace.
The Fair Work Bill 2008 also establishes Fair Work Australia. Fair Work Australia will act as a one-stop shop for information, advice and assistance on workplace issues.
The first step in the new reforms was the implementation of the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Act 2008, which came into effect on 28 March 2008. This Act prevented anymore individual Australian Workplace Agreements being made and enabled the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) to start the process of award modernisation.
The second step was the introduction of the Fair Work Bill 2008. This Bill will be considered by a full Senate Committee inquiry.
Next steps
- The Fair Work Bill 2008 is to commence on 1 July 2009, following its passage through the Parliament. The new safety net of modern awards and the National Employment Standards will commence on 1 January 2010.
- The Australian Government will introduce separate transitional and consequential legislation in the first half of 2009 to ensure a smooth, simple transition to the new system.
Want more information?
Recent speeches by the Deputy Prime Minister
Fact sheets
Further information about the new workplace relations reforms is available from the fact sheets page. The fact sheets should be read in conjunction with the speeches made by the Deputy Prime Minister.
Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council
The Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council is a council of federal, state and territory Ministers responsible for workplace relations, occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation issues.
This page provides information on membership of the Council and links to its most recent communiqués.