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FAIR WORK ACT 2009

Table of Provisions

CHAPTER 1--Introduction

 

PART 1-1--INTRODUCTION

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 1 Short title  
  • 2 Commencement  

Division 2--Object of this Act

Division 3--Guide to this Act

  • 4 Guide to this Act  
  • 5 Terms and conditions of employment (Chapter 2)  
  • 6 Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc. (Chapter 3)  
  • 7 Compliance and enforcement (Chapter 4)  
  • 8 Administration (Chapter 5)  
  • 9 Miscellaneous (Chapter 6)  
  • 9A Application, transitional and saving provisions for amendments (Schedules)  

PART 1-2--DEFINITIONS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--The Dictionary

  • 12 The Dictionary  

Division 3--Definitions relating to the meanings of employee, employer etc

Division 4--Other definitions

PART 1-3--APPLICATION OF THIS ACT

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Interaction with State and Territory laws

Division 2A--Application of this Act in States that refer matters before 1 July 2009

Division 2B--Application of this Act in States that refer matters after 1 July 2009 but on or before 1 January 2010

Division 3--Geographical application of this Act

Division 4--Miscellaneous

CHAPTER 2--Terms and conditions of employment

 

PART 2-1--CORE PROVISIONS FOR THIS CHAPTER

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Core provisions for this Chapter

Subdivision A--Terms and conditions of employment provided under this Act

Division 3--Interaction between the National Employment Standards, modern awards and enterprise agreements

Subdivision A--Interaction between the National Employment Standards and a modern award or an enterprise agreement

PART 2-2--THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--The National Employment Standards

Division 3--Maximum weekly hours

Division 4--Requests for flexible working arrangements

  • 65 Requests for flexible working arrangements  
  • 66 State and Territory laws that are not excluded  

Division 5--Parental leave and related entitlements

Subdivision A--General

Division 6--Annual leave

Division 7--Personal

Subdivision A--Paid personal

Division 8--Community service leave

Division 9--Long service leave

Division 10--Public holidays

Division 11--Notice of termination and redundancy pay

Subdivision A--Notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice
  • 117 Requirement for notice of termination or payment in lieu  
  • 118 Modern awards and enterprise agreements may provide for notice of termination by employees  
    • Subdivision B--Redundancy pay
  • 119 Redundancy pay  
  • 120 Variation of redundancy pay for other employment or incapacity to pay  
  • 121 Exclusions from obligation to pay redundancy pay  
  • 122 Transfer of employment situations that affect the obligation to pay redundancy pay  
    • Subdivision C--Limits on scope of this Division
  • 123 Limits on scope of this Division  

Division 12--Fair Work Information Statement

Division 13--Miscellaneous

PART 2-3--MODERN AWARDS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Overarching provisions

Division 3--Terms of modern awards

Subdivision A--Preliminary

Division 4A--4 yearly reviews of default fund terms of modern awards

Subdivision A--4 yearly reviews of default fund terms

Division 5--Exercising modern award powers

Subdivision A--Exercise of powers if necessary to achieve modern awards objective

Division 6--General provisions relating to modern award powers

Division 7--Additional provisions relating to modern enterprise awards

Division 8--Additional provisions relating to State reference public sector modern awards

PART 2-4--ENTERPRISE AGREEMENTS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Employers and employees may make enterprise agreements

Division 3--Bargaining and representation during bargaining

Division 4--Approval of enterprise agreements

Subdivision A--Pre-approval steps and applications for the FWC's approval

Division 5--Mandatory terms of enterprise agreements

Division 6--Base rate of pay under enterprise agreements

Division 7--Variation and termination of enterprise agreements

Subdivision A--Variation of enterprise agreements by employers and employees

Division 8--FWC's general role in facilitating bargaining

Subdivision A--Bargaining orders

Division 9--Low-paid bargaining

Division 10--Single interest employer authorisations

Subdivision A--Declaration that employers may bargain together for a proposed enterprise agreement

Division 11--Other matters

PART 2-5--WORKPLACE DETERMINATIONS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Low-paid workplace determinations

Division 3--Industrial action related workplace determinations

Division 4--Bargaining related workplace determinations

Division 5--Core terms, mandatory terms and agreed terms of workplace determinations etc

Division 6--Operation, coverage and interaction etc

Division 7--Other matters

PART 2-6--MINIMUM WAGES

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Overarching provisions

Division 3--Annual wage reviews

Subdivision A--Main provisions

Division 4--National minimum wage orders

PART 2-7--EQUAL REMUNERATION

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Equal remuneration orders

PART 2-8--TRANSFER OF BUSINESS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Transfer of instruments

Division 3--Powers of the FWC

PART 2-9--OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Payment of wages etc

  • 323 Method and frequency of payment  
  • 324 Permitted deductions  
  • 325 Unreasonable requirements to spend or pay amount  
  • 326 Certain terms have no effect  
  • 327 Things given or provided, and amounts required to be spent or paid, in contravention of this Division  

Division 3--Guarantee of annual earnings

CHAPTER 3--Rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, organisations etc

 

PART 3-1--GENERAL PROTECTIONS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Application of this Part

  • 337 Application of this Part  
  • 338 Action to which this Part applies  
  • 339 Additional effect of this Part  

Division 3--Workplace rights

Division 4--Industrial activities

Division 5--Other protections

Division 6--Sham arrangements

Division 7--Ancillary rules

Division 8--Compliance

Subdivision A--Contraventions involving dismissal
  • 365 Application for the FWC to deal with a dismissal dispute  
  • 366 Time for application  
  • 367 Application fees  
  • 368 Dealing with a dismissal dispute (other than by arbitration)  
  • 369 Dealing with a dismissal dispute by arbitration  
  • 370 Taking a dismissal dispute to court  
    • Subdivision B--Other contraventions
  • 372 Application for the FWC to deal with a non-dismissal dispute  
  • 373 Application fees  
  • 374 Conferences  
  • 375 Advice on general protections court application  
    • Subdivision C--Appeals and costs orders
  • 375A Appeal rights  
  • 375B Costs orders against parties  
  • 376 Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents  
  • 377 Applications for costs orders  
  • 377A Schedule of costs  
  • 378 Contravening costs orders  

PART 3-2--UNFAIR DISMISSAL

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Protection from unfair dismissal

Division 3--What is an unfair dismissal

Division 4--Remedies for unfair dismissal

  • 390 When the FWC may order remedy for unfair dismissal  
  • 391 Remedy--reinstatement etc.  
  • 392 Remedy--compensation  
  • 393 Monetary orders may be in instalments  

Division 5--Procedural matters

  • 394 Application for unfair dismissal remedy  
  • 395 Application fees  
  • 396 Initial matters to be considered before merits  
  • 397 Matters involving contested facts  
  • 398 Conferences  
  • 399 Hearings  
  • 399A Dismissing applications  
  • 400 Appeal rights  
  • 400A Costs orders against parties  
  • 401 Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents  
  • 402 Applications for costs orders  
  • 403 Schedule of costs  
  • 404 Security for costs  
  • 405 Contravening orders under this Part  

PART 3-3--INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Protected industrial action

Subdivision A--What is protected industrial action

Division 3--No industrial action before nominal expiry date of enterprise agreement etc

Division 4--FWC orders stopping etc

Division 5--Injunction against industrial action if pattern bargaining is being engaged in

Division 6--Suspension or termination of protected industrial action by the FWC

Division 7--Ministerial declarations

  • 431 Ministerial declaration terminating industrial action  
  • 432 Informing people of declaration  
  • 433 Ministerial directions to remove or reduce threat  
  • 434 Contravening a Ministerial direction  

Division 8--Protected action ballots

Subdivision A--Introduction

Division 9--Payments relating to periods of industrial action

Subdivision A--Protected industrial action

Division 10--Other matters

PART 3-4--RIGHT OF ENTRY

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Entry rights under this Act

Subdivision A--Entry to investigate suspected contravention

Division 3--State or Territory OHS rights

Division 4--Prohibitions

  • 500 Permit holder must not hinder or obstruct  
  • 501 Person must not refuse or delay entry  
  • 502 Person must not hinder or obstruct permit holder  
  • 503 Misrepresentations about things authorised by this Part  
  • 504 Unauthorised use or disclosure of information or documents  

Division 5--Powers of the FWC

Subdivision A--Dealing with disputes

Division 6--Entry permits, entry notices and certificates

Subdivision A--Entry permits

Division 7--Accommodation and transport arrangements in remote areas

PART 3-5--STAND DOWN

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Circumstances allowing stand down

Division 3--Dealing with disputes

  • 526 FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part  
  • 527 Contravening an FWC order dealing with a dispute about the operation of this Part  

PART 3-6--OTHER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Notification and consultation relating to certain dismissals

Subdivision A--Requirement to notify Centrelink

Division 3--Employer obligations in relation to employee records and pay slips

PART 3-7--CORRUPTING BENEFITS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Giving, receiving or soliciting corrupting benefits

Division 3--Cash or in kind payments to employee organisations etc

CHAPTER 4--Compliance and enforcement

 

PART 4-1--CIVIL REMEDIES

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Orders

Subdivision A--Applications for orders

Division 3--Small claims procedure

  • 548 Plaintiffs may choose small claims procedure  

Division 4--General provisions relating to civil remedies

Division 4A--Responsibility of responsible franchisor entities and holding companies for certain contraventions

Division 5--Unclaimed money

  • 559 Unclaimed money  

PART 4-2--JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF COURTS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Court

Division 3--Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Circuit Court

Division 4--Miscellaneous

  • 569 Minister's entitlement to intervene  
  • 569A State or Territory Minister's entitlement to intervene  
  • 570 Costs only if proceedings instituted vexatiously etc.  
  • 571 No imprisonment for failure to pay pecuniary penalty  
  • 572 Regulations dealing with matters relating to court proceedings  
    •  

CHAPTER 5--Administration

 

PART 5-1--THE FAIR WORK COMMISSION

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Establishment and functions of the Fair Work Commission

Subdivision A--Establishment and functions of the Fair Work Commission

Division 3--Conduct of matters before the FWC

Subdivision A--Applications to the FWC
  • 585 Applications in accordance with procedural rules  
  • 586 Correcting and amending applications and documents etc.  
  • 587 Dismissing applications  
  • 588 Discontinuing applications  
    • Subdivision B--Conduct of matters before the FWC
  • 589 Procedural and interim decisions  
  • 590 Powers of the FWC to inform itself  
  • 591 FWC not bound by rules of evidence and procedure  
  • 592 Conferences  
  • 593 Hearings  
  • 594 Confidential evidence  
  • 595 FWC's power to deal with disputes  
    • Subdivision C--Representation by lawyers and paid agents and Minister's entitlement to make submissions
  • 596 Representation by lawyers and paid agents  
  • 597 Minister's entitlement to make submissions  
  • 597A State or Territory Minister's entitlement to make submissions  
    • Subdivision D--Decisions of the FWC
  • 598 Decisions of the FWC  
  • 599 FWC not required to decide an application in terms applied for  
  • 600 Determining matters in the absence of a person  
  • 601 Writing and publication requirements for the FWC's decisions  
  • 602 Correcting obvious errors etc. in relation to the FWC's decisions  
  • 603 Varying and revoking the FWC's decisions  
    • Subdivision E--Appeals, reviews and referring questions of law
  • 604 Appeal of decisions  
  • 605 Minister's entitlement to apply for review of a decision  
  • 606 Staying decisions that are appealed or reviewed  
  • 607 Process for appealing or reviewing decisions  
  • 608 Referring questions of law to the Federal Court  
    • Subdivision F--Miscellaneous
  • 609 Procedural rules  
  • 610 Regulations dealing with any FWC matters  
  • 611 Costs  

Division 4--Organisation of the FWC

Subdivision A--Functions etc

Division 5--FWC Members

Subdivision A--Appointment of FWC Members

Division 6--Cooperation with the States

  • 649 President to cooperate with prescribed State industrial authorities  
  • 650 Provision of administrative support  

Division 7--Seals and additional powers and functions of the President and the General Manager

Division 8--General Manager, staff and consultants

Subdivision A--Functions of the General Manager

Division 9--Offences relating to the Fair Work Commission

  • 674 Offences in relation to the FWC  
  • 675 Contravening an FWC order  
  • 676 Intimidation etc.  
  • 677 Offences in relation to attending before the FWC  
  • 678 False or misleading evidence  

PART 5-2--OFFICE OF THE FAIR WORK OMBUDSMAN

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Fair Work Ombudsman

Subdivision A--Establishment and functions and powers of the Fair Work Ombudsman
  • 681 Establishment  
  • 682 Functions of the Fair Work Ombudsman  
  • 683 Delegation by the Fair Work Ombudsman  
  • 684 Directions from the Minister  
  • 685 Minister may require reports  
  • 686 Annual report  
    • Subdivision B--Appointment and terms and conditions of the Fair Work Ombudsman
  • 687 Appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman  
  • 688 Remuneration of the Fair Work Ombudsman  
  • 689 Leave of absence of the Fair Work Ombudsman  
  • 690 Outside work of the Fair Work Ombudsman  
  • 692 Resignation of the Fair Work Ombudsman  
  • 693 Termination of appointment of the Fair Work Ombudsman  
  • 694 Other terms and conditions of the Fair Work Ombudsman  
  • 695 Appointment of acting Fair Work Ombudsman  

Division 3--Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman

Subdivision A--Establishment of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman

CHAPTER 6--Miscellaneous

 

PART 6-1--MULTIPLE ACTIONS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Certain actions not permitted if alternative action can be taken

Division 3--Preventing multiple actions

Subdivision A--Equal remuneration applications

PART 6-2--DEALING WITH DISPUTES

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Dealing with disputes

Subdivision A--Model term about dealing with disputes
  • 737 Model term about dealing with disputes  
    • Subdivision B--Dealing with disputes
  • 738 Application of this Division  
  • 739 Disputes dealt with by the FWC  
  • 740 Dispute dealt with by persons other than the FWC  

PART 6-3--EXTENSION OF NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ENTITLEMENTS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Extension of entitlement to unpaid parental leave and related entitlements

Subdivision A--Main provisions

Division 3--Extension of entitlement to notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice

Subdivision A--Main provisions

PART 6-3A----TRANSFER OF BUSINESS FROM A STATE PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYER

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Copying terms of State instruments when there is a transfer of business

Division 3--Copied State instruments

Subdivision A--Guide to this Division

Division 4--Interaction between copied State instruments and the NES, modern awards and enterprise agreements

Subdivision A--Guide to this Division

Division 5--Variation and termination of copied State instruments

Subdivision A--Guide to this Division

Division 6--FWC orders about coverage of copied State instruments and other instruments

Subdivision A--Guide to this Division

Division 7--FWC orders about consolidating copied State instruments etc

Subdivision A--Guide to this Division

Division 8--Special rules for copied State instruments

Subdivision A--Guide to this Division

Division 9--Regulations

PART 6-4--ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Termination of employment

  • 771 Object of this Division  
  • 772 Employment not to be terminated on certain grounds  
  • 773 Application for the FWC to deal with a dispute  
  • 774 Time for application  
  • 775 Application fees  
  • 776 Dealing with a dispute (other than by arbitration)  
  • 777 Dealing with a dispute by arbitration  
  • 778 Taking a dispute to court  
  • 779 Appeal rights  
  • 779A Costs orders against parties  
  • 780 Costs orders against lawyers and paid agents  
  • 781 Applications for costs orders  
  • 781A Schedule of costs  
  • 782 Contravening costs orders  
  • 783 Reason for action to be presumed unless proved otherwise  

Division 3--Notification and consultation requirements relating to certain terminations of employment

Subdivision A--Object of this Division
  • 784 Object of this Division  
    • Subdivision B--Requirement to notify Centrelink
  • 785 Employer to notify Centrelink of certain proposed terminations  
    • Subdivision C--Failure to notify or consult registered employee associations
  • 786 FWC may make orders where failure to notify or consult registered employee associations about terminations  
  • 787 Orders that the FWC may make  
  • 788 Application to the FWC for order  
    • Subdivision D--Limits on scope of this Division
  • 789 Limits on scope of this Division  

PART 6-4A----SPECIAL PROVISIONS ABOUT TCF OUTWORKERS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--TCF contract outworkers taken to be employees in certain circumstances

Division 3--Recovery of unpaid amounts

Division 4--Code of practice relating to TCF outwork

Division 5--Miscellaneous

  • 789EA Part not intended to exclude or limit State or Territory laws relating to outworkers  

PART 6-4B----WORKERS BULLIED AT WORK

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Stopping workers being bullied at work

  • 789FC Application for an FWC order to stop bullying  
  • 789FD When is a worker bullied at work?  
  • 789FE FWC to deal with applications promptly  
  • 789FF FWC may make orders to stop bullying  
  • 789FG Contravening an order to stop bullying  
  • 789FH Actions under work health and safety laws permitted  
  • 789FI This Part is not to prejudice Australia's defence, national security etc.  
  • 789FJ Declarations by the Chief of the Defence Force  
  • 789FK Declarations by the Director-General of Security  
  • 789FL Declarations by the Director-General of ASIS  

PART 6-4C----CORONAVIRUS ECONOMIC RESPONSE

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Employer payment obligations

  • 789GD Obligation of employer to satisfy the wage condition  
  • 789GDA Minimum payment guarantee  
  • 789GDB Hourly rate of pay guarantee  

Division 3--Jobkeeper enabling stand down--employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee

  • 789GDC Jobkeeper enabling stand down--employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee  

Division 4--Duties, location and days of work--employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee

  • 789GE Duties of work--employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee  
  • 789GF Location of work--employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee  
  • 789GG Days of work etc.--employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee  

Division 5A--Flexibility provisions relating to employers previously entitled to jobkeeper payment

  • 789GJA Jobkeeper enabling stand down--employer previously entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee  
  • 789GJB Duties of work--employer previously entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee  
  • 789GJC Location of work--employer previously entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee  
  • 789GJD Days of work etc.--employer previously entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee  
  • 789GJE Termination of direction if employer ceases to satisfy the 10% decline in turnover test  
  • 789GJF Termination of agreement if employer ceases to satisfy the 10% decline in turnover test  

Division 6--Rules relating to jobkeeper enabling directions

  • 789GK Reasonableness  
  • 789GL Continuing the employment of employees  
  • 789GM Consultation--employer currently entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee  
  • 789GMA Consultation--employer previously entitled to jobkeeper payment for employee  
  • 789GN Form of direction  
  • 789GP Duration  
  • 789GQ Compliance  

Division 7--Service

Division 8--Accrual rules

Division 9--Employee requests for secondary employment, training etc

  • 789GU Employee requests for secondary employment, training etc.  

Division 10--Dealing with disputes

  • 789GV FWC may deal with a dispute about the operation of this Part  
  • 789GW Contravening an FWC order dealing with a dispute about the operation of this Part  

Division 11--Exclusions

Division 12--Protections

Division 13--Review of this Part

  • 789GZB Review of this Part  

PART 6-5--MISCELLANEOUS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--Miscellaneous

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