Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020
This Fair Work Commission consolidated modern award incorporates all amendments up to and including 27 August 2024 (PR777247 and PR777978).
Clause(s) affected by the most recent variation(s):
2—Definitions
13—Changes to casual employment status
16A—Employee right to disconnect
39—Dispute resolution
Table of Contents
[Varied by PR733839, PR746868, PR747560, PR750439, PR774725, PR777247, PR777978]
Schedule E —Agreement for time off instead of payment for overtime............................. 148
Part 1—Application and Operation of this Award
1.1 This award is the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020.
1.3 A variation to this award does not affect any right, privilege, obligation or liability that a person acquired, accrued or incurred under the award as it existed prior to that variation.
[Varied by PR733839, PR774725, PR777247]
In this award, unless the contrary intention appears:
accident pay means a weekly payment made to an employee by the employer that is the difference between the amount of workers’ compensation received by the employee and their ordinary hourly rate for 38 hours work, and any RDO accrued entitlements prescribed by clause 16—Ordinary hours of work and rostering arrangements or clause 17—Shiftwork. Where the incapacity caused by the injury which leads to workers’ compensation becoming payable is for a period less than one week, the payment is the difference between the amount of compensation and the ordinary hourly rate for that period. The ordinary hourly rate does not include over award payments, shift rates or overtime.
Act means the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
adult apprentice has the meaning given in clause 14.1(a).
air-conditioning work means the on-site fabrication and/or installation of air-conditioning and/or ventilation systems and all ancillary work, including packaged air conditioning units, thermostatic controls, water recirculation equipment, air volume regulators, diffusers, fans and heat exchange equipment and the like.
all purposes means the payment will be included in the rate of pay of an employee who is entitled to the allowance, when calculating any penalties or loadings or payment while they are on annual leave.
appurtenances means any structure which is joined to or forms an integral part of a geomembrane installation. Such structures include: concrete and/or steel weirs; pipe collars and the like; concrete and rock walls within the area of the geomembrane, earth, stone and/or concrete covering over the geomembrane, waterfalls, fountains and the like, pipework, pumps, valves and filters when these are specific to a geomembrane.
[Definition of casual employee inserted by PR733839 from 27Sep21; varied by PR777247 from 27Aug24]
casual employee has the meaning given by section 15A of the Act.
NOTE: Section 15A of the Act was amended with effect from 26 August 2024. Under clause 102(3) of Schedule 1 to the Act, an existing employee who was a casual employee of an employer under section 15A as it was immediately before that date is taken to be a casual employee of the employer for the purposes of section 15A after that date.
continuous service means the period of service of an employee notwithstanding the employee’s absence from work for any of the following reasons:
· annual leave, personal leave or parental leave;
· illness or accident up to a maximum of 4 weeks after the expiration of paid sick leave;
· jury service;
· injury received during the course of employment and up to a maximum of 26 weeks for which the employee received workers’ compensation;
· where called up for military service for up to 3 months in any qualifying period;
· long service leave; and
· any reason satisfactory to the employer, provided the employee has informed the employer within 24 hours of the time when the employee was due to attend for work, or as soon as practicable thereafter, of the reason for the absence and probable duration.
continuous shiftworker means an employee engaged to work in a system of consecutive shifts throughout the 24 hours of each of at least 6 consecutive days without interruption (except during breakdown or meal breaks or due to unavoidable causes beyond the control of the employer) and who is regularly rostered to work those shifts.
CW means construction workers in the general building and construction and civil construction sectors.
defined benefit member has the meaning given by the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth).
ECW means engineering construction workers in the metal and engineering construction sector.
employee means national system employee within the meaning of the Act.
[Definition of employee organisation inserted by PR774725 from 01Jul24]
employee organisation has the meaning given by section 12 of Act.
employer means national system employer within the meaning of the Act.
[Definition of enterprise inserted by PR774725 from 01Jul24]
enterprise has the meaning given by section 12 of the Act.
exempt public sector superannuation scheme has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth).
geomembranes are impermeable membrane liners and barriers. They can be either sprayed on a surface or prefabricated and transported to the construction site. Sprayed on geomembranes are either sprayed directly on a surface (earth, concrete, etc.) or onto a geotextile. Geomembranes are usually (but not exclusively) composed of synthetic polymers, elastomers (rubbers) or plastomers (plastics). Some are reinforced with a fabric, and some are composites of natural and synthetic materials.
geotextile means any permeable textile material used with foundation, soil, rock, earth, or any other geotechnical engineering related material, that is an integral part of a man made project, structure or system especially when used in conjunction with geomembranes. Geotextiles include knitted, woven, and unwoven fabrics. Other products such as webs, mats, nets, grids, and formed plastic sheets that have been developed for use in combination with, or in place of, geotextiles are considered to be geotextiles for the purpose of this award.
in charge of plant means:
(a) when 2 or more employees are employed at the plant at the one time, the employee who is invested with the superintendence and responsibility or who has to accept the superintendence and responsibility; or
(b) an employee who is invested with the superintendence and responsibility or who has to accept the superintendence and responsibility over one or more other employees; or
(c) when an employee is the only person of their class employed on the plant, the employee who does the general repair work of the plant in addition to the work of operating, but not when they merely assist a fitter or engineer to do such work; or
(d) where shifts are worked, the employee who is directed to carry out the general repair work of the plant in addition to the work of operating, but not when they merely assist a fitter or engineer to do such work.
injury, for the purposes of clause 27—Accident pay, has the same meaning as that contained in the applicable workers’ compensation legislation covering the employer in respect of a claim made by the employee.
leading hand means an employee who is required to supervise or direct or be in charge of another employee or other employees.
MySuper product has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth).
NES means the National Employment Standards as contained in sections 59 to 131 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
on-hire means the on-hire of an employee by their employer to a client, where such employee works under the general guidance and instruction of the client or a representative of the client.
on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry has the meaning given in clause 4.2.
ordinary hourly rate means the hourly rate for an employee’s classification specified in clause 19.1(a) plus the industry allowance. Where an employee is entitled to an additional all-purpose allowance, this allowance forms part of that employee’s ordinary hourly rate.
The ordinary hourly rate is:
· for daily hire employees, the hourly rate calculated in accordance with clause 19.3(a);
· for weekly hire employees, the hourly rate calculated in accordance with clause 19.3(b);
· for apprentices, the weekly rate (determined in accordance with clause 19.7 or 19.8) divided by 38;
· for trainees, the weekly rate (determined in accordance with clause D.4.1(a) or D.4.1(b)) divided by 38;
· for employees covered by clause 42—Lift industry, the all purpose amounts specified in clause 42 are included;
· for forepersons and supervisors in the metal and engineering construction sector, the relevant weekly rate specified in clause 43.2 divided by 38;
· for leading hands the amount calculated in accordance with clause 19.2(a) or 19.2(b) is included.
refrigeration work means the installation, servicing or repairing of refrigeration plant and equipment, and/or ancillary components and equipment on a construction site.
[Definition of regular casual employee inserted by PR733839 from 27Sep21]
regular casual employee has the meaning given by section 12 of the Act.
[Definition of small business employer inserted by PR774725 from 01Jul24]
small business employer has the meaning given by section 23 of the Act.
standard rate means either the weekly or hourly minimum rate as stated for a Level 3 (CW/ECW 3) employee in clause 19.1.
traffic management means duties in or in connection with the directing and controlling of traffic.
[Definition of workplace delegate inserted by PR774725 from 01Jul24]
workplace delegate has the meaning given by section 350C(1) of the Act.
3. The National Employment Standards and this award
3.1 The National Employment Standards (NES) and this award contain the minimum conditions of employment for employees covered by this award.
3.2 Where this award refers to a condition of employment provided for in the NES, the NES definition applies.
3.3 The employer must ensure that copies of the award and the NES are available to all employees to whom they apply, either on a notice board which is conveniently located at or near the workplace or through accessible electronic means.
[Varied by PR743413]
4.1 This industry award covers employers throughout Australia in the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry and their employees in the classifications within Schedule A—Classification Definitions to the exclusion of any other modern award.
4.2 For the purpose of clause 4.1, on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry means the industry of general building and construction, civil construction and metal and engineering construction, in all cases undertaken on-site.
4.3 For the purposes of clause 4.2:
(a) general building and construction means:
(i) the construction, alteration, extension, restoration, repair, demolition or dismantling of buildings, structures or works that form, or are to form, part of land, whether or not the buildings, structures or works are permanent and maintenance undertaken by employees of employers covered by clause 4.1 of such buildings, structures or works;
(ii) site clearance, earth-moving, excavation, site restoration, landscaping and the provision of car parks and other access works associated with the activities within clause 4.3(a)(i); and
(iii) the installation in any building, structure or works of fittings and services;
(i) the construction, repair, maintenance or demolition of:
· civil and/or mechanical engineering projects;
· power transmission, light, television, radio, communication, radar, navigation, observation towers or structures;
· power houses, chemical plants, hydrocarbons and/or oil treatment plants or refineries;
· silos; and/or
· sports and/or entertainment complexes;
(ii) road making and the manufacture or preparation, applying, laying or fixing of bitumen emulsion, asphalt emulsion, bitumen or asphalt preparations, hot pre-mixed asphalt, cold paved asphalt and mastic asphalt;
(iii) the prefabrication and installation of geomembranes, geotextiles and appurtenances;
(iv) dredging or sluicing work for or at premises provided for persons mentioned in or in connection with work under clause 4.3(b)(i);
(v) batch plants and precast yards at a construction site in or in connection with work under clause 4.3(b)(i);
(vi) traffic management in or in connection with work under clause 4.3(b)(i);
(vii) construction and/or establishment of landscape gardens in or in connection with work under clause 4.3(b)(i), provided that this award does not apply to the:
· maintenance or horticultural establishment work following practical completion of work as specified under the terms of the construction contract or project; and/or
· laying-out, construction, cultivation or keeping in order of gardens in connection with private houses;
(viii) the industry or calling of either or both catering and cleaning for or at premises provided for persons mentioned in clause 4.3(b)(i);
(ix) car parks excepting car park buildings and car parks within the alignment of a building; and
(x) railways, tramways, roads, freeways, causeways, aerodromes, drains, dams, weirs, bridges, overpasses, underpasses, channels, waterworks, pipe tracks, tunnels, water and sewerage works, conduits, and all concrete work and preparation incidental thereto;
(c) metal and engineering construction means:
· power stations, oil refineries, terminals and depots; chemical, petro-chemical and hydrocarbon plants; and associated plant, plant facilities and equipment;
· major industrial and commercial undertakings and associated plant, plant facilities and equipment including undertakings for the processing and/or smelting of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, the processing of forest products and associated by-products, acid and fertiliser plants, cement and lime works, and other major industrial undertakings of a like nature;
· plant, plant facilities and equipment in connection with the extraction, refining and/or treatment of minerals, chemicals and the like;
· transmission and similar towers, transmission lines and associated plant, plant facilities and equipment;
· lifts and escalators as prescribed in clause 42—Lift industry;
· facilities and equipment in other engineering projects; and
· maintenance and/or repair and/or servicing work carried out on-site by the employees of contractors or subcontractors in connection with contracts for on-site construction work referred to in clause 4.3(c)(i). This does not include any work which is incidental to or of a minor nature in relation to the work normally performed by an employee of an employer not engaged substantially in metal and engineering construction.
4.4 Without limiting the generality of the exclusion, this award does not cover employers covered by:
(a) the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020;
(b) the Joinery and Building Trades Award 2020;
(c) the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020;
(d) the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020;
[4.4(e) varied by PR743413 ppc 11Jul22]
(e) the Black Coal Mining Industry Award 2020;
(f) the Mining Industry Award 2020;
(g) the quarrying industry as defined in clause 4.3 of the Cement, Lime and Quarrying Award 2020; or
(h) the Premixed Concrete Award 2020.
4.5 This award covers any employer which supplies labour on an on-hire basis in the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry in respect of on-hire employees in classifications covered by this award, and those on-hire employees, while engaged in the performance of work for a business in that industry. Clause 4.5 operates subject to the exclusions from coverage in this award.
4.6 This award covers employers which provide group training services for apprentices and/or trainees engaged in the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry and/or parts of that industry and those apprentices and/or trainees engaged by a group training service hosted by a company to perform work at a location where the activities described herein are being performed. Clause 4.6 operates subject to the exclusions from coverage in this award.
4.7 This award does not cover:
(a) an employee excluded from award coverage by the Act;
(b) employees who are covered by a modern enterprise award, or an enterprise instrument (within the meaning of the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 (Cth)), or employers in relation to those employees; or
(c) employees who are covered by a State reference public sector modern award, or a State reference public sector transitional award (within the meaning of the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 (Cth)), or employers in relation to those employees.
4.8 Where an employer is covered by more than one award, an employee of that employer is covered by the award classification which is most appropriate to the work performed by the employee and to the environment in which the employee normally performs the work.
NOTE: Where there is no classification for a particular employee in this award it is possible that the employer and that employee are covered by an award with occupational coverage.
5. Individual flexibility arrangements
5.1 Despite anything else in this award, an employer and an individual employee may agree to vary the application of the terms of this award relating to any of the following in order to meet the genuine needs of both the employee and the employer:
(a) arrangements for when work is performed; or
(b) overtime rates; or
(c) penalty rates; or
(e) annual leave loading.
5.2 An agreement must be one that is genuinely made by the employer and the individual employee without coercion or duress.
5.3 An agreement may only be made after the individual employee has commenced employment with the employer.
5.4 An employer who wishes to initiate the making of an agreement must:
(a) give the employee a written proposal; and
(b) if the employer is aware that the employee has, or reasonably should be aware that the employee may have, limited understanding of written English, take reasonable steps (including providing a translation in an appropriate language) to ensure that the employee understands the proposal.
5.5 An agreement must result in the employee being better off overall at the time the agreement is made than if the agreement had not been made.
5.6 An agreement must do all of the following:
(a) state the names of the employer and the employee; and
(b) identify the award term, or award terms, the application of which is to be varied; and
(c) set out how the application of the award term, or each award term, is varied; and
(d) set out how the agreement results in the employee being better off overall at the time the agreement is made than if the agreement had not been made; and
(e) state the date the agreement is to start.
5.7 An agreement must be:
(a) in writing; and
5.8 Except as provided in clause 5.7(b), an agreement must not require the approval or consent of a person other than the employer and the employee.
5.9 The employer must keep the agreement as a time and wages record and give a copy to the employee.
5.10 The employer and the employee must genuinely agree, without duress or coercion to any variation of an award provided for by an agreement.
5.11 An agreement may be terminated:
(a) at any time, by written agreement between the employer and the employee; or
NOTE: If an employer and employee agree to an arrangement that purports to be an individual flexibility arrangement under this award term and the arrangement does not meet a requirement set out in section 144 then the employee or the employer may terminate the arrangement by giving written notice of not more than 28 days (see section 145 of the Act).
5.12 An agreement terminated as mentioned in clause 5.11(b) ceases to have effect at the end of the period of notice required under that clause.
5.13 The right to make an agreement under clause 5 is additional to, and does not affect, any other term of this award that provides for an agreement between an employer and an individual employee.
6. Requests for flexible working arrangements
[Substituted by PR763216 ppc 01Aug23]
Requests for flexible working arrangements are provided for in the NES.
NOTE: Disputes about requests for flexible working arrangements may be dealt with under clause 39—Dispute resolution and/or under section 65B of the Act.
[Varied by PR733839, PR743413]
7.1 A facilitative provision provides that the standard approach in an award provision may be departed from by agreement between an employer and an individual employee, or an employer and the majority of employees in the enterprise or part of the enterprise concerned.
[7.2 varied by PR733839, PR743413 ppc 11Jul22]
7.2 Facilitative provisions in this award are contained in the following clauses:
Clause |
Provision |
Agreement between an employer and: |
16.4(a)(iii) |
Agreement on taking RDOs |
The majority of employees |
16.5 |
Agreement on banking of RDOs |
An individual |
16.6 |
Requirement to work on a day that is an RDO |
An individual |
16.8 |
Agreement on working other than the rostered day off cycle |
The majority of employees |
16.9(c) |
Hours of work—part-time employees |
An individual |
16.11(a) |
Other conditions for working ordinary hours—Early starts |
The employees |
18.1 |
Meal break—day workers |
The majority of employees |
19.6(a) |
Piece rates |
An individual |
20 |
Payment of wages |
An individual or the majority of employees |
21.1(b)(i) |
Tools and protective or other clothing or equipment |
An individual |
21.1(c)(i) |
Tools and protective or other clothing or equipment |
An individual |
24.14(a) |
Additional wet weather procedure—remaining on site |
The employees |
25.6(f)(vi) |
Travelling expenses—Rest and recreation—variable return home |
An individual |
29.13 |
Time off instead of payment of overtime |
An individual |
31.4 |
Annual leave in advance |
An individual |
31.5 |
Cashing out of annual leave |
An individual |
36.2, 36.3 |
Alternative day for public holiday |
An individual |
Part 2—Types of Employment and Classifications
8.1 Employees under this award will be employed in one of the following categories:
(a) daily hire employees;
(b) full-time weekly hire employees;
(c) part-time weekly hire employees; or
(d) casual employees.
8.2 At the time of engagement an employer will inform each employee, in writing, of the terms of their engagement and, in particular, whether they are to be daily hire, full‑time, part-time or casual employees.
9.1 A daily hire employee means a tradesperson or labourer engaged subject to the following provisions:
(a) One day’s notice of termination of employment will be given on either side or one day’s pay will be paid or forfeited.
(b) Notice given at or before the usual starting time of any ordinary working day will expire at the completion of that day’s work.
(c) A tradesperson will be allowed one hour prior to termination to gather, clean, sharpen, pack and transport tools.
9.2 Nothing in clause 9 will affect the right of an employer to dismiss an employee without notice for misconduct or refusing duty.
10. Full-time weekly hire employees
A full-time employee is an employee who works an average of 38 ordinary hours per week.
11. Part-time weekly hire employees
11.1 A part-time employee is an employee who works an average of less than 38 ordinary hours per week and has reasonably predictable hours of work.
11.2 For each ordinary hour worked, a part-time employee will be paid no less than the ordinary hourly rate for the relevant classification and pro rata entitlements for those hours.
11.3 An employer must inform a part-time employee of the ordinary hours of work and the starting and finishing times.
11.4 Before commencing a period of part-time employment the employee and the employer will agree in writing:
(a) that the employee may work part-time;
(b) upon the hours to be worked by the employee, the days upon which the hours will be worked and commencing times for the work;
(c) upon the classification applying to the work to be performed; and
(d) upon the period of part-time employment.
11.5 The terms of an agreement may be varied, in writing, by consent.
11.6 The employer will provide a copy of the agreement and any variation made in accordance with clause 11.5, to the employee.
[Varied by PR733839]
[12.1 deleted by PR733839 from 27Sep21]
[12.2 renumbered as 12.1 by PR733839 from 27Sep21]
[12.3 renumbered as 12.2 and varied by PR733839 from 27Sep21]
12.2 An employer, when engaging a person for casual employment, must inform the employee, in writing, that the employee is to be employed as a casual, stating by whom the employee is employed, the job to be performed, the classification level, and the relevant rate of pay.
[12.4 renumbered as 12.3 by PR733839 from 27Sep21]
12.3 A casual employee is entitled to payment for a minimum of 4 hours’ work per engagement, plus the relevant fares and travel allowance and expenses prescribed by clauses 25—Living away from home—distant work and 26—Travelling time entitlements on each occasion they are required to attend work.
[12.5 renumbered as 12.4 by PR733839 from 27Sep21]
[12.6 renumbered as 12.5 by PR733839 from 27Sep21]
12.5 A casual employee required to work overtime or weekend work will be entitled to the relevant penalty rates prescribed by clauses 29—Overtime and 30—Penalty rates, provided that:
(a) where the relevant penalty rate is 150%, the employee must be paid 175% of the ordinary hourly rate prescribed for the employee’s classification; and
(b) where the relevant penalty rate is 200%, the employee must be paid 225% of the ordinary hourly rate prescribed for the employee’s classification.
NOTE: The overtime and weekend work penalty rates for casual employees have been calculated by adding the casual loading prescribed by clause 12.4 to the overtime and weekend work penalty rates prescribed by clauses 29.4(a) and 30.1.
[12.7 renumbered as 12.6 by PR733839 from 27Sep21]
12.6 A casual employee required to work on a public holiday prescribed by the NES must be paid 275% of the ordinary hourly rate prescribed for the employee’s classification.
13. Changes to casual employment status
[13—Casual conversion to full-time or part-time employment renamed and substituted by PR733839, 13—Offers and requests for casual conversion renamed and substituted by PR777247 from 27Aug24]
A pathway for employees to change from casual employment to full-time or part-time employment is provided for in the NES. See sections 66A to 66MA of the Act.
NOTE: Disputes about changes to casual employment status may be dealt with under sections 66M and 66MA of the Act and/or under clause 39—Dispute resolution.
14.1 Definitions
(b) An apprentice is an employee who is bound by a contract of training registered with the appropriate State or Territory training authority.
(c) An apprenticeship is a system of structured on-the-job training with an employer and off-the-job training with a Registered Training Organisation accessed through a contract of training.
(d) For the purposes of this award, a construction apprenticeship is a contract of training for the acquisition of tradesperson qualifications.
(e) Registered Training Organisation (RTO) means a training organisation registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority, the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority or the Western Australia’s Training and Accreditation Council.
(f) A contract of training means an approved agreement for training registered with the appropriate State or Territory training authority or under the provisions of the appropriate State or Territory training legislation.
(g) A school-based apprentice is an employee who is undertaking an apprenticeship in accordance with clause 14 while also undertaking a course of secondary education.
(a) Apprentices will be engaged in accordance with the terms of this award, any relevant apprenticeship legislation and/or regulations made by any State or Territory training authority with the responsibility for the apprenticeship. The terms of this award apply to apprentices except where otherwise stated.
(b) An apprentice/trainee will be permitted to be absent from work, without loss of pay or continuity of employment, to attend the off-the-job training in accordance with the contract of training.
(c) Time spent by an apprentice, in attending any training and assessment specified in, or associated with, the training contract is to be regarded as time worked for the employer for the purposes of calculating the apprentice’s wages and determining the apprentice’s employment conditions. Clause 14.2 operates subject to the provisions of Schedule C––School-based Apprentices and the provisions of clause 26.5.
(d) The notice of termination provisions of the NES apply to apprentices.
(e) Redundancy provisions do not apply to apprentices, provided that where the employment of an apprentice by an employer is continued after the completion of the apprenticeship, the period of the apprenticeship will be counted as service for the purposes of the award and long service leave entitlements and in the event that an apprentice is terminated at the end of their apprenticeship and is re-engaged by the same employer within 6 months of such termination, the period of the apprenticeship will be counted as service in determining any future termination entitlements.
(a) When overtime and/or shiftwork are worked the relevant penalties and allowances prescribed by the award will apply, based on the applicable ordinary hourly rate. No apprentice/trainee will work overtime or shiftwork on their own or without supervision.
(b) No apprentice under the age of 18 years will be required to work overtime or shiftwork unless they choose to do so.
(c) No apprentice will, except in an emergency, work or be required to work overtime or shiftwork at times which would prevent their attendance at the RTO as required by any statute, award, regulation or the contract of training applicable to them.
14.4 Payment by results
An apprentice will not work under any system of payment by results.
14.5 Lost time
(a) Apprentices are required to serve an additional day for each day of absence during each year of their apprenticeship, except in respect of absences due to either paid leave or leave without pay (taken in accordance with clause 31.3). The following year of their apprenticeship does not commence until the additional days have been worked.
(b) In calculating the extra time to be so served, the apprentice will be credited with time which they have worked during the relevant year in excess of their ordinary hours.
14.6 Training costs—fees and textbooks
(a) All fees charged by an RTO and the cost of all prescribed textbooks for the apprenticeship, which are paid by an apprentice, will be reimbursed by the employer within:
(i) 6 months of commencement of the apprenticeship or a stage of the apprenticeship; or
(ii) within 3 months of the commencement of training provided by the RTO,
whichever is the later, unless there is unsatisfactory progress.
(b) An employer may meet its obligations under clause 14.6 by paying any fees and/or cost of textbooks directly to the RTO.
14.7 Adult apprenticeship—application of general conditions of apprenticeship
The provisions of clause 14 will apply to adult apprentices unless specifically provided otherwise by clause 19.8.
14.8 Attendance at block release training
(a) Where an apprentice is required to attend block release training for training identified in or associated with their training contract, and such training requires an overnight stay, the employer must pay for the excess reasonable travel costs incurred by the apprentice in the course of travelling to and from such training. Provided that clause 14.8 will not apply where the apprentice could attend an alternate RTO closer to the apprentice’s usual place of work and the use of the more distant RTO is not agreed between the employer and the apprentice.
(b) For the purposes of clause 14.8(a) excess reasonable travel costs includes the total cost of reasonable transportation (including transportation of tools where required), accommodation costs incurred while travelling (where necessary) and reasonable expenses incurred while travelling, including meals, in excess of the fares and travel patterns allowance payable under clause 26.5(a). For the purposes of clause 14.8(a) excess travel costs do not include payment for travelling time or expenses incurred while not in transit.
(c) The amount payable by an employer under clause 14.8(a) may be reduced by an amount the apprentice is eligible to receive for travel costs to attend block release training under a Government apprentice assistance scheme. This will only apply if an apprentice has either received such assistance or their employer has advised them in writing of the availability of such assistance.
(d) Clause 14.8 applies instead of the provisions contained in clause 25—Living away from home—distant work.
14.9 Competency based progression
(a) For the purpose of competency based wage progression in clause 19.7 an apprentice will be paid at the relevant wage rate for the next stage of their apprenticeship if:
(i) competency has been achieved in the relevant proportion of the total units of competency specified in clause 19.7 for that stage of the apprenticeship. The units of competency which are included in the relevant proportion must be consistent with any requirements in the training plan; and
(ii) any requirements of the relevant State/Territory apprenticeship authority and any additional requirements of the relevant training package with respect to the demonstration of competency and any minimum necessary work experience requirements are met; and
(A) the RTO, the employer and the apprentice agree that the abovementioned requirements have been met; or
(B) the employer has been provided with written advice that the RTO has assessed that the apprentice meets the abovementioned requirements in respect to all the relevant units of competency and the employer has not advised the RTO and the apprentice of any disagreement with that assessment within 21 days of receipt of the advice.
(b) If the employer disagrees with the assessment of the RTO referred to in clause 14.9(a)(iii)(B) above, and the dispute cannot be resolved by agreement between the RTO, the employer and the apprentice, the matter may be referred to the relevant State/Territory apprenticeship authority for determination. If the matter is not capable of being dealt with by such authority it may be dealt with in accordance with the dispute resolution clause in this award. For the avoidance of doubt, disputes concerning other apprenticeship progression provisions of this award may be dealt with in accordance with the dispute resolution clause.
(c) For the purposes of clause 14.9, the training package containing the qualification specified in the contract of training for the apprenticeship, sets out the assessment requirements for the attainment of the units of competency that make up the qualification. The definition of “competency” utilised for the purpose of the training packages and for the purpose of clause 14.9 is the consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace. It embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments.
(d) The apprentice will be paid the wage rate referred to in clause 14.9(a) from the first full pay period to commence on or after the date on which an agreement or determination is reached in accordance with clause 14.9(a)(iii) or on a date as determined under the dispute resolution process in clause 14.9(b).
The definitions of the classification levels in clause 19—Minimum rates are contained in Schedule A—Classification Definitions.
16. Ordinary hours of work and rostering arrangements
[Varied by PR747560]
16.1 Except as provided in clause 17—Shiftwork, the ordinary working hours will be 38 per week (averaged over a 20 day 4 week cycle to allow for the accrual and taking of rostered days off (RDO)), worked between 7.00 am and 6.00 pm Monday to Friday in accordance with the procedures in clauses 16.2 to 16.7.
16.2 Hours of work and accrual towards RDOs
[16.2 varied by PR743413 ppc 11Jul22]
Ordinary working hours will be 8 hours in duration each day, of which 0.4 of one hour of each day worked will accrue towards an RDO and 7.6 hours will be paid. An employee will therefore accrue 7.6 hours towards an RDO each 19 days of ordinary hours worked.
16.3 Accrual towards an RDO on days not worked
[16.3 varied by PR743413 ppc 11Jul22; paragraph in 16.3 renumbered as 16.3(a) by PR747560 ppc 14Nov22]
[16.3(b) inserted by PR747560 ppc 14Nov22]
(b) If a public holiday is a part-day public holiday, then clause 16.3(a) applies on a pro-rata basis for the number of ordinary hours on the part-day public holiday.
(a) An accrued RDO will be taken in one of the following ways:
[16.4(a)(i) varied by PR743413 ppc 11Jul22]
(i) on one day during a 20 day 4 week cycle on which all employees will take an RDO in accordance with a written roster fixed by the employer and issued 7 days before the commencement of that cycle; or
(ii) on a day during a 20 day 4 week cycle during which particular employees will take their RDOs on different days in accordance with a written roster fixed by the employer and issued 7 days before the commencement of that cycle; or
(b) The means by which a written roster under clause 16.4 may be issued include but are not limited to the following:
(i) by giving an employee a copy of the written roster; or
(ii) by placing a copy of the written roster on the notice board(s) at the workplace; or
(iii) by sending the written roster to the employee by post in a prepaid envelope to an employee’s usual residential or postal address, by facsimile transmission, or by email or other electronic means; or
(iv) by any other means agreed to by the employer and employee.
(c) A roster issued in accordance with clause 16.4 must not require an employee to take an RDO on a day that is a public holiday.
An employee and the employer may agree to allow the employee to bank an accrued RDO that would otherwise be taken under one of the ways fixed under clause 16.4(a) and in that event the following will apply:
(a) The number of accrued RDOs banked must not exceed 5 at any time.
(b) If an accrued RDO is banked, an employee is required to work on the day the employee’s RDO was otherwise fixed under clause 16.4(a). In that event clause 16.6 does not apply.
(c) An accrued RDO that is banked will be taken on a day that is agreed between the employer and the employee and on which ordinary working hours may be worked. An employer must not unreasonably withhold agreement for an employee to take a banked RDO on a particular day requested by the employee.
(d) The employer must maintain a record of:
(i) the number of accrued RDOs banked by each employee; and
(ii) the date on which each employee takes a banked accrued RDO.
16.6 Requirement to work on a day that is an RDO
[16.6 varied by PR743413 ppc 11Jul22]
(a) The employer may require an employee to work on an RDO that is fixed in accordance with clause 16.4(a) by agreement with the employee, or upon the provision of not less than 48 hours’ notice where the work to be performed is necessary because of unforeseen delays to a particular project or a section of it or any other reasons arising from unforeseen or emergency circumstances on a project.
(b) An employee who works on a day rostered for the taking of an RDO in accordance with 16.6(a) will be paid penalty rates as prescribed for Saturday work in clause 30—Penalty rates, and will retain the accrued RDO.
16.7 Entitlement on termination of employment
If an employee’s employment is terminated for any reason then, in addition to any other payment to which the employee becomes entitled the employer must pay to the employee:
(a) an amount equal to the payment the employee would have received had the employee taken any accrued RDO yet to be taken and any banked accrued RDO; and
(b) an amount equal to the payment the employee would have received had the employee taken an RDO for the period representing the number of hours and minutes that have accrued towards an RDO.
16.8 Agreement on working other than the rostered day off cycle
Where an employer and the majority of employees employed at a particular enterprise agree that due to the nature of an employer’s operations it is not practicable for an employee to be provided with an RDO in each 4 week cycle, they may agree to an alternate method of arranging working hours, provided that the ordinary hours worked in any one week from Monday to Friday are within the spread of hours set out in clause 16.1 and that no more than 8 ordinary hours are worked in any one day. Any such agreement shall be recorded in writing.
16.9 Hours of work—part-time employees
(a) The daily ordinary hours of work of a part-time employee shall not exceed 8 hours.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of clauses 16 and 17—Shiftwork, an employee working on a part-time basis may be paid for actual hours worked and in such instances the employee will not be entitled to accrue time towards an RDO.
(c) An employer and employee may agree that the part-time employee accrues time towards an RDO as provided by clauses 16 and 17—Shiftwork. In such instances, the part-time employee will accrue pro rata entitlements to rostered days off in accordance with clause 16.2.
16.10 Hours of work—casual employees
The daily ordinary hours of work of a casual employee shall not exceed 8 hours.
16.11 Other conditions for working ordinary hours
The working day may start at 6.00 am or at any time between that hour and 8.00 am and the working time will then begin to run from the time fixed, and the meal break will be adjusted accordingly. The change to the start time requires agreement between the employer and the employees and their representative(s), if requested.
(b) Washing time
The employer will provide sufficient facilities for washing and 5 minutes will be allowed before lunch and before finishing time to enable employees to wash and put away gear.
(c) Work in compressed air and underground
The working hours of employees working in compressed air or underground shall be subject to any applicable safety standards.
16A. Employee right to disconnect
[16A inserted by PR777978 from 26Aug24]
16A.1 Clause 16A provides for the exercise of an employee’s right to disconnect under section 333M of the Act.
NOTE:
(a) Section 333M provides that, unless it is unreasonable to do so, an employee may refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact, or attempted contact, from:
(1) their employer outside of the employee’s working hours,
(2) a third party if the contact or attempted contact relates to, their work and is outside of the employee's working hours.
(b) Section 333M(3) lists matters that must be taken into account in determining whether an employee’s refusal is unreasonable.
(c) Section 333M(5) provides that an employee’s refusal will be unreasonable if the contact or attempted contact is required under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.
(d) Section 333N provides for the resolution of disputes about whether an employee’s refusal is unreasonable and about the operation of section 333M.
(e) The general protections in Part 3–1 of the Act prohibit an employer taking adverse action against an employee because of the employee’s right to disconnect under section 333M of the Act.
16A.2 Clause 16A applies from the following dates:
(a) 26 August 2024—for employers that are not small business employers on this date and their employees.
(b) 26 August 2025—for employers that are small business employers on 26 August 2024 and their employees.
16A.3 An employer must not directly or indirectly prevent an employee from exercising their right to disconnect under the Act.
16A.4 Clause 16A.3 does not prevent an employer from contacting, or attempting to contact, an employee outside of working hours in circumstances including to notify them of:
(a) an emergency roster change under clause 24—Inclement weather; or
(b) a recall to work under clause 29.5.
[Varied by PR747560]
17.1 General building and construction and metal and engineering construction sectors
For the purposes of clause 17.1:
afternoon shift means a shift starting at or after 1.00 pm and before 3.00 pm.
night shift means a shift starting at or after 3.00 pm and before 11.00 pm.
early morning shift means a shift commencing at or after 11.00 pm and before 4.30 am.
morning shift means a shift starting at or after 4.30 am and before 6.00 am.
early afternoon shift means a shift starting on or after 11.00 am and before 1.00 pm.
(i) afternoon, night and early morning shift—150% of the ordinary hourly rate;
(ii) morning and early afternoon shifts—125% of the ordinary hourly rate.
(c) Where a job finishes after proceeding on shiftwork for more than 5 consecutive days or the employer terminates the employee’s services during the week, the employee must be paid at the rate specified in clause 17.1(b) for the time actually worked.
(d) In the case of broken shifts (i.e. less than 38 ordinary hours worked over 5 consecutive shifts Monday to Friday) the rates prescribed will be 150% for the first 2 hours and 200% thereafter.
(f) An employee must be given at least 48 hours’ notice of the requirement to work shiftwork.
(g) The hours for shiftworkers, when fixed, must not be altered except for breakdowns or other causes beyond the control of the employer, provided that notice of such alteration must be given to the employee not later than the ceasing time of their previous shift.
(h) For all work performed on a Saturday or Sunday, the normal rates of pay applicable to weekend overtime must apply. Provided that an ordinary night shift starting before and extending beyond midnight Friday, will be regarded as a Friday shift.
(i) All work in excess of shift hours, Monday to Friday, other than holidays must be paid for at 200% of the ordinary hourly rate (excluding shift rates).
(j) The provisions of this award relating to hours of work and leave will apply to employees working shiftwork.
17.2 Civil construction sector
(a) Definitions
For the purpose of clause 17.2:
shiftwork means any system of work in which operations are being continued by the employment of a group of employees upon work on which another group had been engaged previously
day shift means any shift starting on or after 6.00 am and before 10.00 am
afternoon shift means any shift starting at or after 10.00 am and before 8.00 pm
night shift means any shift starting at or after 8.00 pm and before 6.00 am
rostered shift means a shift of which the employee concerned has had at least 48 hours’ notice.
(b) Roster
Shifts must be worked according to a roster which will:
(i) provide for rotation of shifts unless all the employees concerned agree otherwise;
(ii) provide for not more than 8 shifts to be worked in any 9 consecutive days; and
(iii) specify the starting and finishing times of each shift.
(c) Ordinary hours
(i) The ordinary hours of work for shiftworkers will not exceed an average of 38 per week over a cycle of 2, 3 or 4 weeks.
(ii) A shift will consist of not more than 8 consecutive hours inclusive of a crib time of 30 minutes which will be counted as time worked.
(d) Rostered off shift
(i) 24 minutes of each 8 hour shift worked during a shift cycle will accrue as an entitlement to take a rostered off shift after each 19 shifts worked.
(ii) The rostered off shift will be paid for as though worked.
[17.2(e) varied by PR747560 ppc 14Nov22]
Each day of paid leave taken and any public holiday occurring during any shift cycle will be regarded as a shift or part-shift worked for accrual purposes.
(f) Pro rata accrued entitlements
(i) A shiftworker who has not worked or is not regarded by reason of clause 17.2(e) as having worked a complete shift cycle will receive pro rata accrued entitlements for each shift worked or regarded as having been worked in that cycle.
(ii) The pro rata entitlements will be payable for the rostered off shift or, in the case of termination of employment, on such termination.
(g) Taking of rostered off shifts
(i) The employer and employees concerned will agree in writing upon arrangements for the taking of rostered off shifts or for their accumulation.
(ii) Accumulation will be limited to not more than 5 shifts before they are taken as rostered off shifts.
(iii) When rostered off shifts are taken they will be regarded as shifts worked for accrual purposes in the particular shift cycle in which they are taken.
(h) Work on a rostered off shift
(i) The rostered off shift prescribed by clause 17.2 will be taken as a paid shift off.
(ii) Where an employer for emergency reasons requires an employee to work on their rostered off shift the employee will, in addition to their accrued entitlements, be paid at overtime rates for all work performed on the rostered off shift.
(i) Overtime
(ii) Clause 17.2(i)(i) will not apply when the overtime is worked by arrangements between the employees themselves or for the purpose of effecting the customary rotation of shifts.
A shiftworker whilst on afternoon or night shift other than on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday must be paid 115% of the ordinary hourly rate.
(k) Saturdays
An employee who is working a shift between midnight on Friday and midnight on Saturday must be paid 150% of the ordinary hourly rate for ordinary hours of work inclusive of time worked for accrual purposes as prescribed in clause 17.2(e).
(l) Sundays and public holidays
(i) Subject to clause 17.2(l), the provisions of clause 36—Public holidays, will apply to shiftworkers.
(ii) Where shifts start between 11.00 pm and midnight on a Sunday or public holiday, the time so worked before midnight will not entitle the employee to the Sunday or public holiday rate; provided that the time worked by an employee on a shift commencing before midnight on the day preceding a Sunday or public holiday and extending into a Sunday or public holiday will be regarded as time worked on the Sunday or public holiday.
(iii) Where shifts fall partly on a Sunday or a public holiday that shift, the major portion of which falls on a Sunday or a public holiday, will be regarded as the Sunday or public holiday shift.
(m) Five successive shifts
Shiftworkers who work on any afternoon or night shift which does not continue for at least 5 successive afternoons or nights will be paid 150% of the ordinary hourly rate for all ordinary hours of work occurring during the shift.
(n) Permanent night shift
An employee who (except at their own request pursuant to clause 17.2(b)(i)):
(i) during a period of engagement on shift, works night shift only; or
(ii) remains on a night shift for a longer period than 4 successive weeks; or
(iii) works on a night shift which does not rotate or alternate with another shift or with day work so as to give the employee at least one third of their working time off night shift in each cycle;
must, during such engagement, period or cycle be paid 130% of the ordinary hourly rate for all ordinary hours of work on night shift.
(o) Call outs
(i) A shiftworker called out to work after finishing their normal working time and after they have left work for the shift, or called out to work on a day on which they are rostered off, must be paid for a minimum of 3 hours’ work calculated at 200% of the ordinary hourly rate for each occasion the shiftworker is called out.
(ii) If called out on a public holiday, payment must be calculated at the rate prescribed in clause 30.1(e) of this award.
(p) Transport after overtime
When a shiftworker, after having worked overtime or a shift for which they have not been regularly rostered, finishes work at a time when reasonable means of transport are not available, the employer will provide the shiftworker with transport to their usual place of residence or to the nearest appropriate public transport.
18.1 Meal break—day workers
(b) An employee must not be required to work more than 5 hours without a break for a meal.
(c) Where, because of the area or location of a project, the majority of on-site employees on the project request, and agreement is reached, the period of the meal break may be extended to not more than 45 minutes with a consequential adjustment to the daily time of finishing of work.
NOTE: Penalty rates apply in circumstances where an employer requires an employee to work through a meal break – see clause 29.6.
18.2 Meal break—shiftworkers
At no later than 5 hours after the start of each shift there must be a cessation of work of 30 minutes’ duration to allow shiftworkers to take a meal break which will count as time worked.
18.3 Rest periods and crib time
(a) A paid rest period of 10 minutes must be allowed between 9.00 am and 11.00 am.
(d) For the purposes of clause 18.3, usual finishing time is at the end of ordinary hours inclusive of time worked for accrual purposes as prescribed in clauses 16—Ordinary hours of work and 17—Shiftwork.
(e) Where shiftwork comprises 3 continuous and consecutive shifts of 8 hours per day inclusive of time worked for accrual purposes as prescribed in clauses 16—Ordinary hours of work and 17—Shiftwork, paid crib time of 20 minutes’ duration must be allowed in each shift. Crib time in each shift will be instead of any other rest period or cessation of work elsewhere prescribed by this award.
(f) The provisions of clauses 18.3(b), 18.3(c), and 18.3(e) will not apply to an employee who is entitled to the rest periods prescribed in clauses 18.6 and 18.7.
18.4 Working with toxic materials
(a) Where an employee is using toxic materials and the work continues to the employee’s meal break, the employee will be entitled to take washing time of 10 minutes immediately prior to the meal break.
(b) Where this work continues to the finishing time of the day or is finalised at any time prior to the finishing time of the day, washing time of 10 minutes will be granted.
(c) The washing time break or breaks will count as time worked.
18.5 Shaft or trench sinkers, etc.
Where shaft or trench sinkers or timberpersons are working at a depth of over 1.8 metres and where employees are driving at any depth in a tunnel or are engaged on similar work, the prescribed ordinary hours will include a daily crib time of 30 minutes which will count as time worked.
Where an employee works for more than 2 hours in a place where the temperature has been raised by artificial means to 46 C and above, the employee is entitled to 20 minutes rest after every 2 hours work without loss of pay.
Where an employee works for more than 2 hours in a place where the temperature is lowered by artificial means to less than 0 C, the employee is entitled to 20 minutes rest after every 2 hours work without loss of pay.
[Varied by PR729275, PR733839, PR740696, PR745634, PR762129, PR773904]
[19.1(a) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(a) An employee within a level specified in the following table will be paid not less than the rate assigned to the appropriate classification, as defined in Schedule A—Classification Definitions, in which the employee is working:
Level |
Minimum weekly rate
|
Minimum hourly rate
|
|
$ |
$ |
Level 9 (ECW 9) |
1207.80 |
31.78 |
Level 8 (CW/ECW 8) |
1186.90 |
31.23 |
Level 7 (CW/ECW 7) |
1158.70 |
30.49 |
Level 6 (CW/ECW 6) |
1126.50 |
29.64 |
Level 5 (CW/ECW 5) |
1097.30 |
28.88 |
Level 4 (CW/ECW 4) |
1064.80 |
28.02 |
Level 3 (CW/ECW 3) |
1032.30 |
27.17 |
Level 2 (CW/ECW 2) |
1003.10 |
26.40 |
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1)—CW/ECW 1 (level d) |
983.30 |
25.88 |
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1)—CW/ECW 1 (level c) |
966.00 |
25.42 |
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1)—CW/ECW 1 (level b) |
953.20 |
25.08 |
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1)—CW/ECW1 (level a) |
934.80 |
24.60 |
(b) The rates in clause 19.1(a) prescribe minimum classification rates only. The payment of additional allowances is required by other clauses of this award in respect of both weekly and hourly payments. The ordinary hourly rate for an employee’s classification is set out in clause 2—Definitions.
(c) CW refers to construction workers in the general building and construction and civil construction sectors. ECW refers to engineering construction workers in the metal and engineering construction sector.
(a) A person specifically appointed to be a leading hand must be paid at the rate of the following percentages of the weekly rates in clause 19.1(a) of the highest classification supervised, or the employee’s own rate, whichever is the higher, in accordance with the number of persons in the employee’s charge.
In charge of: |
% of the appropriate weekly rate per week |
1 person |
2.4 |
2 - 5 persons |
5.3 |
6 - 10 persons |
6.7 |
More than 10 persons |
9.0 |
(b) For daily hire employees, the hourly rate payable is calculated by multiplying the amount prescribed in clause 19.2(a) by 52 over 50.4 (52/50.4) and dividing by 38 and the said amount will apply for all purposes of this award (provided that in the case of a carpenter-diver the divisor will be 31).
(a) Daily hire employees—follow the job loading
(i) The calculation of the hourly rate will take into account a factor of 8 days in respect of the incidence of loss of wages for periods of unemployment between jobs.
(ii) For this purpose the hourly rate, calculated to the nearest cent (less than half a cent to be disregarded), will be calculated by multiplying the sum of the appropriate amounts prescribed in:
· clause 19.1—Minimum rates;
· clause 22—Industry allowances;
and where applicable,
· clause 21.1—Tools and protective or other clothing or equipment;
· clause 23.2—Underground allowance,
by 52 over 50.4 (52/50.4) rounded to the nearest cent and dividing the total by 38.
(iii) Provided that in the case of a carpenter-diver, the divisor will be 31.
The hourly rate will be calculated by adding the amounts prescribed in:
· Clause 19.1—Minimum rates;
· clause 22—Industry allowances;
and, where applicable:
· clause 21.1—Tools and protective or other clothing or equipment;
· clause 23.2—Underground allowance;
· clause 23.7—Air-conditioning industry and refrigeration industry allowances;
· clause 23.8—Electrician’s licence allowance; and
· clause 23.9—In charge of plant;
and dividing the total by 38.
19.4 Presenting for work but not required
(a) Clause 19.4 does not apply to casual employees.
(b) A new employee, if engaged and presenting for work to commence employment and not being required, will be entitled to at least 8 hours’ work or payment for 8 hours at the ordinary hourly rate, plus the appropriate allowance prescribed by clause 26—Travelling time entitlements.
(c) However, if the services of any employee are not required by reason of inclement weather, then the provision of clause 24—Inclement weather, will apply.
19.5 Mobile cranes capacity adjustment formula
[19.5 varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
For each additional 40 tonnes over a maximum lifting capacity of 100 tonnes, an amount of $24.78 per week must be added to the base rate for Level 5 (CW/EW5) and above.
(b) The agreement must be made without coercion or duress.
(c) The employer must record a piece rate agreement made under clause 19.6 in writing and provide a copy to the employee and must keep the agreement as a time and wages record.
(d) The piece rate agreement must set out the following information:
(i) the parties to the agreement;
(ii) the date the agreement commences to operate; and
(iii) the basis on which the piece rate payment is made and how piecework will be measured.
(e) An employee working under a piece rate agreement must:
(i) be paid no less than the amount which the employee would have been entitled to receive under the rates and allowances prescribed by this award if the piece rate agreement had not been made; and
(ii) not disadvantage the employee in relation to their terms and conditions of employment.
(f) For the purpose of the NES, the base rate of pay for a pieceworker is the base rate of pay as defined in the NES.
(g) For the purpose of the NES, the full rate of pay for a pieceworker is the full rate of pay as defined in the NES.
(h) An agreement made under clause 19.6 may be terminated by written agreement between the employer and the employee or by either party giving 4 weeks’ notice in writing to the other party and the agreement will cease to operate at the end of the notice period.
(a) A person who has completed a full apprenticeship must not be paid less than the standard rate.
(b) An apprentice will be paid a minimum rate of pay calculated on the total of the percentage of the standard rate in the following tables, and the allowances prescribed in clause 19.7(c):
(i) Apprentices who commence a contract of training on or after 1 January 2014 (excluding apprentices covered by the Electrotechnology Training Package)
(A) Four year apprenticeship (nominal term)
Stage of apprenticeship |
Minimum training requirements on entry |
Have not completed year 12 |
Have completed year 12 |
% of the standard rate |
|||
Stage 1 |
On commencement and prior to the attainment of the minimum training requirements specified for Stage 2 |
50 |
55 |
Stage 2 |
On attainment of 25% of the total competencies specified in the training plan for the relevant AQF Certificate III qualification; or 12 months after commencing the apprenticeship, whichever is the earlier. |
60 |
65 |
Stage 3 |
On attainment of 50% of the total competencies specified in the training plan for the relevant AQF Certificate III qualification; or 12 months after commencing Stage 2, whichever is the earlier. |
75 |
75 |
Stage 4 |
On attainment of 75% of the total competencies specified in the training plan for the relevant AQF Certificate III qualification; or 12 months after commencing Stage 3, whichever is the earlier. |
90 |
90 |
(B) Three year apprenticeship (nominal term)
Stage of apprenticeship |
Minimum training requirements on entry |
% of the standard rate |
Stage 1 |
On commencement and prior to the attainment of the minimum training requirements specified for Stage 1 |
55 |
Stage 2 |
On attainment of 50% of the total competencies specified in the training plan for the relevant AQF Certificate III qualification; or 12 months after commencing the apprenticeship, whichever is the earlier. |
75 |
Stage 3 |
On attainment of 75% of the total competencies specified in the training plan for the relevant AQF Certificate III qualification; or 12 months after commencing Stage 2, whichever is the earlier. |
90 |
(ii) Apprentices who commence a contract of training on or after 1 January 2014 (apprentices covered by the Electrotechnology Training Package)
Year of apprenticeship |
Have not completed year 12 |
Have completed year 12 |
|
% of the standard rate |
|
1st year |
50 |
55 |
2nd year |
60 |
65 |
3rd year |
75 |
75 |
4th year |
90 |
90 |
(iii) Apprentices who commenced a contract of training before 1 January 2014:
Four year apprenticeship |
% of the standard rate |
1st year |
45 |
2nd year |
55 |
3rd year |
75 |
4th year |
90 |
|
|
Three year apprenticeship |
% of the standard rate |
1st year |
55 |
2nd year |
75 |
3rd year |
90 |
(c) In addition to the above rates apprentices will be paid amounts prescribed in:
· clause 21.1—Tools and protective or other clothing or equipment;
· clause 22—Industry allowances;
and, where applicable,
· clause 23.2—Underground allowance
as part of the ordinary weekly rate for all purposes.
(d) Notwithstanding the nominal period, the apprenticeship (excluding apprentices covered by the Electrotechnology Training Package) is completed in a shorter period when:
(i) the qualification specified in the contract of training is successfully completed; and
(ii) the apprentice has the necessary practical experience to achieve competency in the skills covered by the contract of training, provided that the determination as to whether this condition has been met must be by agreement between the registered training organisation, the employer and the apprentice and where there is a disagreement concerning this matter the matter may be referred to the relevant State/Territory apprenticeship authority for determination; and
(iii) the requirements of the relevant State/Territory training authority and any requirements of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee with respect to demonstration of competency and any minimum necessary work experience requirements are met; and
(iv) with respect to trades where there are additional licensing or regulatory requirements under State legislation, when these requirements are met.
(a) Where a person was employed by an employer immediately prior to becoming an adult apprentice with that employer, such person will not suffer a reduction in the ordinary hourly rate of pay by virtue of entering into the contract of training.
[19.8(b) varied by PR733839 from 27Sep21]
(b) Provided that for employees engaged in the general building and construction, and civil construction sectors, the provision in 19.8(a) will only apply to employees who have been employed by the employer for at least 6 months as a full-time weekly or daily hire employee, or 12 months as a part-time or regular casual employee immediately prior to commencing the apprenticeship.
(c) For the purpose of fixing a rate of pay only, the adult apprentice will continue to receive the ordinary hourly rate of pay that is applicable to the classification or class of work specified in clause 19.1, and in which the adult apprentice was engaged immediately prior to entering into the contract of training.
(d) Subject to clauses 19.8(a) and 19.8(c), the rate of pay of an adult apprentice will be the ordinary hourly rate prescribed for the lowest paid classification in clause 19.1 or the ordinary hourly rate prescribed by clause 19.7 for the relevant year of apprenticeship, whichever is the greater.
For employees undertaking an apprenticeship while also undertaking a course of secondary education, see Schedule C––School-based Apprentices.
[19.10 deleted by PR745634 ppc 01Nov22]
[19.11 renumbered as 19.10 by PR745634 ppc 01Nov22]
An employee engaged for more than 2 hours, during one day on duties carrying a higher rate than the employee’s ordinary classification, must be paid the higher rate for the whole day. Otherwise the employee must be paid the higher rate for the time worked at the higher classification.
NOTE: Regulations 3.33(3) and 3.46(1)(g) of Fair Work Regulations 2009 set out the requirements for pay records and the content of payslips including the requirement to separately identify any allowance paid.
20.1 All wages, allowances and other monies must be paid in cash, or by cheque, bank cheque, electronic funds transfer (EFT) or similar transfer or any combination.
20.2 An employee paid by cheque must be allowed reasonable time, as agreed between the employer and the employee, to attend the branch of the employee’s bank nearest the workplace to cash cheques during working hours.
20.3 Subject to clause 20.4, payments must be paid and available to the employee not later than the end of ordinary hours of work on Thursday of each working week.
20.4 Where an employer made payment less frequently in compliance with:
(a) a relevant award or award-based transitional instrument, prior to the making of this award on 1 January 2010; or
(b) a Division 2B State award, prior to 1 January 2011,
the employer may continue to make payment at that frequency, subject to the agreement of employees and/or a majority of employees if required by the relevant award, award-based transitional instrument or Division 2B State award.
20.6 Payment on termination of employment
(ii) all other amounts that are due to the employee under this award and the NES.
(b) Where notice of termination is given by an employer or employee in accordance with the terms of this award or the NES the amounts described at clause 20.6(a)(i) must be paid to the employee:
(i) on the day of termination; or
(ii) where this is not practicable the employer will have two working days to send monies due to an employee by registered post or, where the employee is paid by EFT, transfer the monies into the employee’s account.
(c) The amounts described at clause 20.6(a)(ii), and where notice is not given by an employer or employee in accordance with the terms of this award or the NES the amounts described at clause 20.6(a)(i), must be paid to the employee:
(i) on the day of termination; or
(ii) forwarded by electronic funds transfer by no later than 7 days after the day on which the employee’s employment terminates.
(d) The requirement to pay wages and other amounts under clause 20.6(a) is subject to the employer making deductions authorised by this award or the Act.
NOTE 1: Section 117(2) of the Act provides that an employer must not terminate an employee’s employment unless the employer has given the employee the required minimum period of notice or “has paid” to the employee payment instead of giving notice.
NOTE 2: State and Territory long service leave laws or long service leave entitlements under section 113 of the Act, may require an employer to pay an employee for accrued long service leave on the day on which the employee’s employment terminates or shortly after.
21. Expense-related allowances
[Varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073]
NOTE 2: See Schedule B—Summary of Monetary Allowances for a summary of monetary allowances.
21.1 Tools and protective or other clothing or equipment
[21.1(a) varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
(a) An allowance in recognition of the maintenance and provision of the standard tools of trade must be paid for all purposes of the award in accordance with the following table:
Classification |
Tool allowance |
Artificial stoneworker, carpenter and/or joiner, carpenter-diver, carver, bridge and wharf carpenter, floor sander, letter cutter, marble and slate worker, stonemason or tilelayer |
38.67 |
Caster, fixer, floorlayer specialist or plasterer |
31.99 |
Refractory bricklayer or bricklayer |
27.45 |
Roof tiler, slate-ridger or roof fixer, tradespersons in the metals and engineering construction sector |
20.25 |
Signwriter, painter or glazier |
9.28 |
(b) Where any other tools are required by the employer for the performance of work by a tradesperson covered by clause 21.1(a), or where in the case of any other employee any tools are required for the performance of work, the employer shall:
(i) by agreement with the employee, reimburse the employee for provision of the tools; or
(ii) provide the tools.
(c) Where any protective or other clothing or equipment, other than safety boots, is required by the employer for the performance of work, the employer shall:
(ii) provide the clothing or equipment.
(d) Where employees are required either by the employer or by legislation to wear steel toe capped safety boots the employer will reimburse employees for the cost of purchasing such boots on commencement of work. Subject to fair wear and tear, boots will be replaced each 6 months if required and sooner if agreed.
[21.2(a) varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
(a) An employee required to work overtime for at least 1.5 hours after working ordinary hours inclusive of time worked for accrual purposes as prescribed in clauses 17—Shiftwork, or 16—Ordinary hours of work and rostering arrangements, must be paid by the employer an amount of $18.51 to meet the cost of a meal.
(b) Clause 21.2 will not apply to an employee who is provided with reasonable board and lodging or who is receiving a distant job allowance as provided for in clause 25—Living away from home—distant work, and is provided with a suitable meal.
[21.2(c) varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
21.3 Compensation for clothes and tools
(a) An employee whose clothes, spectacles, hearing aids or tools have been accidentally spoilt by acid, sulphur or other deleterious substances, fire, molten metal or corrosive substances, must be paid such amount to cover the loss suffered by the employee as may be agreed upon between the employee and the employer.
[21.3(b) varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
(c) An employee transporting their own tools must take all reasonable care to protect those tools and prevent theft or loss.
(d) When an employer requires an employee to wear spectacles with toughened glass lenses the employer must pay the cost of the toughening process.
(e) For the purposes of clause 21.3:
(i) only tools used by the employee in the course of their employment will be covered by clause 21.3;
(ii) the employee will, if requested to do so, furnish the employer with a list of tools so used;
(iii) reimbursement will be at the current replacement value of new tools of the same or comparable quality; and
(iv) the employee will report any theft to the police prior to making a claim on the employer for replacement of stolen tools.
[Varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904]
NOTE: Regulations 3.33(3) and 3.46(1)(g) of Fair Work Regulations 2009 set out the requirements for pay records and the content of payslips including the requirement to separately identify any allowance paid.
NOTE: See Schedule B—Summary of Monetary Allowances for a summary of monetary allowances.
22.1 The following industry allowances must be paid, in addition to the employee’s weekly rate prescribed in clause 19—Minimum rates, for work in each of these sectors:
[22.1(a) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(a) General building and construction industry, civil construction industry and metal and engineering construction industry—an allowance of $61.94 per week;
[22.1(b) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(b) Residential building and construction industry—an allowance of $49.55 per week.
22.2 For the purposes of determining the applicable industry allowance:
(a) the definitions of general building and construction, civil construction and metal and engineering construction in clause 4.3 will apply.
(b) residential building and construction industry means the activities identified in clause 4.3(a) undertaken in relation to a single occupancy or dual occupancy residential building which is not a multistorey building as defined in clause 23.3(c).
22.3 The industry allowances payable under clause 22 are to be paid for all purposes of the award.
[Varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904]
NOTE: See Schedule B—Summary of Monetary Allowances for a summary of monetary allowances.
23.1 An employer must pay an employee the allowances they are entitled to under clause 23 in addition to the applicable industry allowance under clause 22—Industry allowances.
[23.2(a) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(a) An employee, other than an employee in an Operator classification, who is required to work underground must be paid an additional allowance of $18.58 per week for all purposes of the award.
[23.2(b) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(b) Provided that an employee required to work underground for no more than 4 days or shifts in any ordinary week must be paid an additional $4.13 per day or shift.
(c) Where a shaft is to be sunk to a depth greater than 6 metres, the payment of the underground allowance will commence from the surface.
(d) These allowances will not be payable to employees engaged upon pot and drive work at a depth of 3.5 metres or less.
(a) A multistorey allowance must be paid to all employees on-site whilst engaged in construction or renovation of a multistorey building to compensate for the disabilities experienced in, and which are peculiar to construction or renovation of a multistorey building.
(b) Provided that for the purposes of clause 23.3 renovation work is work performed on existing multistorey buildings and such work involves structural alterations which extend to more than 2 storey levels in a building, and at least part of the work to be performed is above the 4th floor storey level in accordance with the scale of payments appropriate for the highest floor level affected by such work.
(c) In clause 23.3:
multistorey building means a building which will, when complete, consist of 5 or more storey levels.
complete means the building is fully functional and all work which was part of the principal contract is complete.
storey level means structurally completed floor, walls, pillars or columns, and ceiling (not being false ceilings) of a building and will include basement levels and mezzanine or similar levels (but excluding half floors such as toilet blocks or store rooms located between floors), and a plant room situated on the top of a building if the plant room occupies 25% of the total roof or an area of 100 square metres, whichever is the lesser.
floor level means that stage of construction which in the completed building would constitute the walking surface of the particular floor level referred to in the table of payments.
[23.3(d) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(e) Rates
[23.3(e)(i) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(i) Except as provided for in clauses 23.3(d) or 23.3(f), an allowance in accordance with the following table must be paid to all employees on the building site. The higher allowances presented in respect of work on the 16th and subsequent floors will be paid to all employees when one of the following components of the building—structural steel, reinforcing steel, boxing or walls—rises above the floor level first designated in the allowance scale:
Storeys |
$ per hour |
From the commencement of building to 15th floor level |
0.71 |
From the 16th to 30th floor level |
0.84 |
From the 31st to 45th floor level |
1.30 |
From the 46th to 60th floor level |
1.68 |
From the 61st floor level onward |
2.06 |
(ii) The allowances payable at the highest point of the building will continue until completion of the building.
[23.3(f)(i) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(i) All employees employed on a service core at more than 15 metres above the highest point of the main structure must be paid the multistorey rate appropriate for the main structure plus an additional $0.87 per hour, with an additional $0.87 per hour for work above each additional 15 metres calculated from the highest point reached by the main structure to the highest point reached by the service core in any one day period.
(ii) Employees employed on a service core no higher than 15 metres above the main structure must be paid in accordance with the multistorey allowance prescribed herein.
(iii) Provided that any section of a service core exceeding 15 metres above the highest point of the main structure will be disregarded for the purpose of calculating the multistorey allowance application to the main structure.
23.4 Laser operation allowance
(a) Application
Clause 23.4 applies when laser equipment is utilised for work within the scope of this award.
(b) Definitions
(i) Laser means any device excepting a Class 1 device which can be made to produce or amplify electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range from 100 nanometres to one millimetre primarily by the process of controlled stimulation emission.
(ii) Laser safety officer or LSO is an employee who in addition to the employee’s ordinary work is qualified to perform duties associated with laser safety and is appointed as such.
(c) Laser safety officer allowance
[23.4(c) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
An employee appointed by the employer to carry out the duties of a laser safety officer must be paid an additional $3.64 per day or part thereof when carrying out these duties, paid as a flat amount without attracting any premium or penalty.
23.5 Carpenter-diver allowance
[23.5 varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
Employees undertaking work normally performed by a carpenter-diver must be paid an additional $1.22 per hour extra which will be regarded as part of the ordinary hourly rate for all purposes of the award.
23.6 First aid allowance
(a) The first aid allowance will be paid to compensate for the additional responsibilities, skill obtained, and time spent acquiring the relevant qualifications to an employee:
(i) who is appointed by the employer to be responsible for carrying out first aid duties as they may arise;
(ii) who holds a recognised first aid qualification (as set out below) from the Australian Red Cross Society, St John Ambulance or similar body;
(iii) who is required by their employer to hold a qualification at that level;
(iv) whose qualification satisfies the relevant statutory requirement pertaining to the provision of first aid services at the particular location where the employee is engaged; and
(v) whose first aid duties are in addition to the employee’s normal duties, recognising what first aid duties encompass by definition;
(b) The first aid allowance will be paid as follows:
[23.6(b)(i) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(i) an employee who holds the minimum qualifications recognised under the relevant State or Territory Occupational Health and Safety legislation (or, in Western Australia, a Senior First Aid certificate of Industrial First Aid certificate or equivalent qualification from the St John Ambulance Association or similar body)—$3.72 per day; or
[23.6(b)(ii) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(ii) an employee who holds a higher first aid certificate recognised under the relevant State or Territory Occupational Health and Safety legislation (or, in Western Australia, a Senior First Aid certificate or Industrial First Aid certificate or equivalent qualification from the St John Ambulance Association or similar body)—$5.88 per day.
(c) An employee will be paid only for the level of qualification required by their employer to be held, and there will be no double counting for employees who hold more than one qualification.
23.7 Air-conditioning industry and refrigeration industry allowances
[23.7 varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
In addition to the appropriate minimum rate prescribed in clause 19.1, an air-conditioning tradesperson and a refrigeration mechanic must be paid a weekly allowance of $81.55 as compensation for the various disabilities and peculiarities associated with on-site air-conditioning work or on-site refrigeration work.
23.8 Electrician’s licence allowance
[23.8(a) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(a) An employee engaged and working as an electrical tradesperson and who holds an appropriate electrician’s licence must be paid a weekly allowance of $33.03 for all purposes of this award.
(b) An appropriate electrician’s licence for the purpose of clause 23.8 will be:
· New South Wales—a NSW Electrician’s Licence;
· Victoria—an A Grade Electrician’s Licence;
· South Australia—an A Grade Electrical Worker’s Licence;
· Tasmania—an A Grade Electrician’s Licence; and
· Queensland—an Electrical Mechanic’s or Electrical Fitter/Mechanic’s Licence.
(a) In charge of plant has the meaning given in clause 2—Definitions.
[23.9(b) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(b) An employee who is in charge of plant must be paid an additional $48.52 per week.
23.10 Special rates applicable only to the general building and construction sector
(a) Conditions in respect of special rates
(i) To avoid doubt, the special rates are allowances for the purpose of clause 5.1(d).
(ii) The special rates prescribed in this award must be paid irrespective of the times at which work is performed and will not, except where specified, be subject to any premium or penalty conditions.
(iii) The special rates must be paid to employees in addition to the other rates in this award.
(b) Computing quantities
[23.10(b)(i) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(i) Employees who are regularly required to compute or estimate quantities of materials in respect of the work performed by other employees must be paid an additional $6.33 per day or part thereof.
(ii) This allowance will not apply to an employee classified as a leading hand and receiving an allowance prescribed in clause 19.2.
(c) Scaffolding or rigging certificate allowance
[23.10(c) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
A tradesperson who is the holder of a scaffolding certificate or rigging certificate issued by the appropriate certifying authority and is required to act on that certificate whilst engaged on work requiring a certificated person must be paid an additional $0.87 per hour.
24.1 Clause 24 applies to general building and construction and the civil construction sector only.
24.3 The employer or its representative, when requested by the employees or their representative, must confer within a reasonable time (which does not exceed 60 minutes) for the purpose of determining whether or not the conditions referred to in clause 24.2 apply.
24.4 The time work stops due to inclement weather and the resumption of work after a period of inclement weather has ended will be recorded by the employer.
24.6 Where a concrete pour is completed in accordance with clause 24.5, work will be paid at the rate of 200% of the ordinary hourly rate calculated to the next hour, and in the case of wet weather, the employee will be provided with adequate wet weather gear. If an employee’s clothes become wet as a result of working in the rain during a concrete pour the employee will, unless the employee has a change of dry working clothes available, be allowed to go home for the remainder of the day without loss of pay.
24.7 Where an employee is not able to perform any work at any location because of inclement weather, the employee will receive payment at the ordinary hourly rate for ordinary hours. Payment for time lost due to inclement weather is subject to a maximum of 32 hours pay in any 4 week period for each employee. Payment is subject to adherence to the terms of clause 24.
24.8 If an employee commences employment during a 4 week period the employee will be credited with:
(a) 32 hours where the employee commences on any working day within the first week;
(b) 24 hours where the employee commences on any working day within the second week;
(c) 16 hours where the employee commences on any working day within the third week; and
(d) 8 hours where the employee commences on any working day within the 4th week in any 4 week period.
24.9 The first period will be deemed to commence on the first Monday after 28 December 2009 and subsequent periods will commence at 4 weekly periods thereafter, provided that a calendar that was being used immediately before 15 July 2013 may still apply.
24.10 An employee working on a part-time basis pursuant to clause 11—Part-time weekly hire employees, will be entitled to payment on a pro rata basis according to the number of ordinary hours agreed to be worked in the 4 week period. The method of calculation of a part-time daily hire employee’s proportionate employment will be as follows:
32 x |
Number of hours agreed to be worked during the 4 week period |
|
152 |
24.11 Inclement weather occurring during overtime will not be taken into account for the purposes of clause 24 and employees will not be entitled to any payment for stoppages because of inclement weather that occurs outside of ordinary hours.
24.12 Employees on a portion of a site not affected by inclement weather must continue to work even though employees working on other areas of the site may have stopped work because of inclement weather.
24.13 Subject to the availability of alternative work in an employee’s classification, an employer may require employees to transfer:
(a) from a location on a site where it is unreasonable and/or unsafe to work because of inclement weather, to another area on the same site, where it is reasonable and safe to work; and/or
(b) from a site where it is unreasonable and/or unsafe to work because of inclement weather, to another site, where it is reasonable and safe to work, and where the employer, where necessary, provides transport.
24.14 Additional wet weather procedure
Where, because of wet weather, the employees are prevented from working:
(i) for more than an accumulated total of 4 hours of ordinary time in any one day; or
(ii) after the meal break, as provided in clause 18.1, for more than an accumulated total of 50% of the normal afternoon work time; or
(iii) during the final 2 hours of the normal work day for more than an accumulated total of one hour;
the employer will not be entitled to require the employees to remain on site beyond the expiration of any of the above circumstances.
(b) Rain at starting time
Where the employees are in the sheds, because they have been rained off, or because it is at starting time, morning tea, or lunch time, and it is raining, they will not be required to go to work in a dry area or to be transferred to another site unless:
(i) the rain stops; or
(ii) a covered walkway has been provided; or
(iii) the sheds are under cover and the employees can get to the dry area without going through the rain; or
(iv) adequate protection is provided.
Protection must, where necessary, be provided for the employees’ tools.
25. Living away from home—distant work
[Varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073]
NOTE: See Schedule B—Summary of Monetary Allowances for a summary of monetary allowances.
The entitlements under clause 25 apply when an employee is employed on construction work at such a distance from the employee’s usual place of residence or any separately maintained residence that the employee cannot reasonably return to that place each night, provided that:
(a) the employee is not in receipt of relocation benefits;
(a) On engagement, an employee must provide the employer with their address at the time of application and the address of any separately maintained residence. An employee must not knowingly make a false statement regarding the details required in clause 25.1(c).
(c) Despite clause 25.1(c), the employer will be liable to pay or provide the entitlements under this clause to an employee who satisfies clause 25.1(a) and (b) if the employee has failed to provide the correct address details and the employer has failed to take reasonable steps to verify the address details in accordance with clause 25.2(b). However, the employer will not be liable to pay or provide the entitlements under clause 25 if the employer has requested documentary proof of the employee’s address details and the employee has provided fraudulent documents in response to that request.
(d) No subsequent change of address will entitle an employee to the provisions of clause 25 unless the employer agrees.
(a) Where an employee qualifies under clause 25.1 the employer will:
[25.3(a)(i) varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292 ppc 01Jul23]
(i) pay the employee the greater of $100.22 per day or an amount which fully reimburses the employee for all reasonable accommodation and meal expenses incurred; or
(ii) provide the worker with accommodation and 3 adequate meals each day; or
(iii) provide the worker with accommodation and reimburse the employee for all reasonable meal expenses; or
(iv) where employees are required to live in camp, provide all board and accommodation free of charge.
(b) Any accommodation provided under clause 25.3(a) must be in accordance with contemporary living standards taking into account the particular circumstances of the location in which the work is performed and must include reasonable washing, laundry, recreational, kitchen, external lighting, communications and fire protection facilities.
25.4 Reimbursement of meal expenses for living in camp
(a) reimburse employees for food reasonably purchased by them for their own use or for the reasonable cost of meals consumed in the nearest recognised centre; and
[25.4(b) varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
(b) pay an allowance of $251.44 for every complete week the employee is available for work, or in the case of broken weeks $35.88 per day including any Saturday or Sunday if the employee is in camp and available for work on the working days immediately preceding and succeeding each Saturday and Sunday. If an employee is absent without the employer’s approval on any day, the allowance will not be payable for that day and if such unauthorised absence occurs on the working day immediately preceding or succeeding a Saturday or Sunday, the allowance will not be payable for the Saturday and Sunday.
(a) The employer must ensure that a camp is maintained in a clean and hygienic condition.
(b) Where an employer has established a camp site and provides facilities for employees living in their own caravan, the employer must provide reasonable space for the caravans.
An employee who is sent by an employer to a job which qualifies the employee for the provisions of clause 25 will not be entitled to any of the allowances prescribed by clause 26—Travelling time entitlements, for the period occupied in travelling from the employee’s usual place of residence to the distant job, but instead will be entitled to the following benefits:
[25.6(a)(i) varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
· be provided with appropriate transport or be paid the amount of a fare on the most appropriate method of public transport to the job and any excess payment due to transporting tools if such is incurred; and
· be paid for the time spent in travelling, at ordinary rates up to a maximum of 8 hours per day for each day of travel; and
· be paid $18.51 per meal for any meals incurred while travelling.
(ii) The employer may deduct the cost of the forward journey fare from an employee who terminates or discontinues employment within 2 weeks of commencing on the job and who does not immediately return to the employee’s place of engagement.
[25.6(b)(i) varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
(i) An employee will, for the return journey, receive the same payments provided for the forward journey (see clause 25.6(a)). In addition, daily hire employees will receive an amount of $26.21 to cover the cost of transport and transporting tools from the main public transport terminal to the employee’s usual place of residence.
(ii) The return journey payments will not be paid if the employee terminates or discontinues employment within 2 months of commencing on the job or is dismissed for incompetence within one working week of commencing on the job, or is dismissed for misconduct at any time.
(c) Travelling time calculations
For the purpose of clause 25.6, travelling time will be calculated as the time taken for the journey from the central or regional rail, bus or air terminal nearest the employee’s usual place of residence to the locality of the work (or the return journey, as the case may be).
An employee engaged on a job who qualifies under the provisions of clause 25 and who is required to reside elsewhere than on the site (or adjacent to the site and supplied with transport) must be paid the allowance prescribed by clause 26—Travelling time entitlements.
[25.6(e)(i) varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
(ii) An employee who is receiving the living away from home allowance pursuant to clause 25.3(a)(i) or reimbursement of meal expenses for living in camp pursuant to clause 25.4 is not entitled to payment under clause 25.6(e)(i).
(iii) When an employee returns to their usual place of residence for a weekend or part of a weekend and is not absent from the job for any of the ordinary working hours, no reduction of the allowance in clause 25.3 will be made.
Where an employee is engaged on a job which qualifies the employee for the provisions of this clause and the duration of work on the job is scheduled for more than 8 weeks the employee will be entitled to rest and recreation in accordance with the following:
(ii) After 12 weeks’ continuous service (inclusive of periods of rest and recreation) the employee will be entitled to 2 days’ paid rest and recreation leave and an additional paid day of rest and recreational leave for each subsequent 12 weeks of continuous service.
(iii) Payment for leave and travel expenses will be made at the completion of the first pay period commencing after date of return to the job.
(iv) The provisions of clause 25.6(f)(i) do not continue to apply where the work the employee is engaged upon will terminate in the ordinary course within a further 28 days after the last period of rest and recreation leave.
(v) Service will be deemed to be continuous notwithstanding an employee’s absence from work as prescribed in this clause.
In special circumstances, and by agreement with the employer, the return to the usual place of residence entitlements may be granted earlier or taken later than the prescribed date of accrual without alteration to the employee’s accrual entitlement.
(vii) No payment instead
Payment of travel expenses and leave with pay as provided for in clause 25.6(f) will not be made unless utilised by the employee.
(viii) Alternative paid day off procedure
If the employer and the employee so agree, any accrued rostered days off (RDO) as prescribed in clause 16—Ordinary hours of work and rostering arrangements, may be taken, and paid for, in conjunction with and additional to rest and recreation leave.
(ix) Termination of employment
An employee will be entitled to notice of termination of employment in sufficient time to arrange suitable transport at termination or must be paid as if employed up to the end of the ordinary working day before transport is available.
26. Travelling time entitlements
[Varied by PR728768, PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073]
NOTE: See Schedule B—Summary of Monetary Allowances for a summary of monetary allowances.
26.1 Fares and travel pattern allowance
[26.1(a) varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
(b) An employee will not be entitled to the allowance in clause 26.1(a) on any day where the employer:
(i) provides or offers to provide transport free of charge from the employee’s home to the place of work and return; or
(ii) provides a fully maintained vehicle free of charge to the employee.
26.2 Travelling between construction sites
An employee transferred from one site to another during working hours will be paid:
(a) for the time spent in travelling; and
(b) if the employer does not provide transport:
(i) the reasonable cost of fares for public transport between construction sites; or
[26.2(b)(ii) varied by PR729462, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
26.3 Travelling outside ordinary hours
Time spent travelling from an employee’s home to their job and return outside ordinary working hours will be unpaid unless the employer directs the employee to pick up and return other employees to their homes.
[26.4(a) varied by PR728768 ppc 01May21]
(a) If an employee is required to travel to a construction site that is:
(i) not located in a metropolitan radial area in which the employee’s usual place of residence is located; and
(ii) more than 50 kms by road from the employee’s usual place of residence;
the employee will be entitled to the distant work payment in clause 26.4(b) instead of the allowance in clause 26.1.
(b) The distant work payment is:
(i) payment for the time outside ordinary working hours reasonably spent in travel, paid at the ordinary time hourly rate, calculated to the next quarter of an hour, and with a minimum payment of one half an hour per day for each return journey; and
[26.4(b)(ii) varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
(c) Despite clause 26.4(a), the distant work payment is not payable when, at the commencement of employment, the employee’s usual place of residence was more than 50km by road from the construction site on which the employee was initially engaged.
(d) In this subclause, a metropolitan radial area is the area within a radius of 50 kilometres of:
(i) the GPO of a capital city of a State or Territory; or
(ii) the principal post office in a regional city or town in a State or Territory.
(a) An apprentice will be entitled to a proportion of the allowances prescribed in clauses 26.1 and 26.4 in accordance with the following scale:
(i) on the 1st year rate—75% of the amount prescribed;
(ii) on the 2nd year rate—85% of the amount prescribed;
(iii) on the 3rd year rate—90% of the amount prescribed;
(iv) on the 4th year rate—95% of the amount prescribed.
(b) An apprentice will not be paid the allowance in clause 26.5(a) for the days they attend a RTO for training and assessment in accordance with the contract of training.
(c) When a school-based apprentice attends off-the-job training or assessment not at the school at which they are enrolled they will receive 25% of the allowance prescribed in clause 26.1.
26.6 Adjustment of allowances
The monetary allowances prescribed in clause 25—Living away from home—distant work, clause 26.1, clause 26.2(b)(ii) and clause 26.4(b)(ii) will be adjusted in accordance with clause B.2.2.
27.1 The employer must pay an employee accident pay.
27.2 Accident pay has the meaning given in clause 2—Definitions.
27.3 Subject to the relevant workers’ compensation claim being accepted, accident pay is payable from the time of the injury for which workers’ compensation is paid for a total of 26 weeks in respect to the employee’s incapacity from that injury, regardless of whether the incapacity is in one continuous period or not.
27.4 The termination of the employee’s employment for any reason whilst the employee is receiving accident pay will not affect the liability of the employer to pay accident pay in accordance with clause 27.3.
27.5 Where an employee receives a lump sum payment in lieu of weekly payments under the applicable workers’ compensation legislation, the liability of the employer to pay accident pay will cease from the date of receipt of the lump sum by the employee.
27.6 If an employer has a scheme for the payment of accident pay that contains provisions generally not less favourable to employees than the provisions of clause 27, the employer may apply to the Fair Work Commission for that scheme to apply instead of clause 27.
27.7 For a casual employee the weekly payment as defined in clause 27.2 will be calculated using the employee’s average weekly ordinary hours with the employer over the previous 12 months or, if the employee has been employed for less than 12 months by the employer, the employee’s average weekly ordinary hours over the period of employment with the employer. The weekly payment will include casual loading but will not include over award payments, shift rates and overtime.
27.8 If an employee entitled to accident pay under clause 27 returns to work on reduced hours or modified duties, the amount of accident pay due will be reduced by any amounts paid for the performance of such work.
27.9 For the avoidance of doubt, an employee will not be entitled to any payment under clause 27 in respect of any period of workers’ compensation where the statutory payment for the period exceeds the amount the employee would have received for working ordinary time hours for the same period.
[Varied by PR771287]
28.1 Superannuation legislation
[28.1 substituted by PR771287 ppc 09Apr24]
(a) The NES and Superannuation legislation, including the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth), the Superannuation Guarantee Charge Act 1992 (Cth), the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) and the Superannuation (Resolution of Complaints) Act 1993 (Cth), deal with the superannuation rights and obligations of employers and employees.
(b) The rights and obligations in clause 28 supplement those in superannuation legislation and the NES.
NOTE: Under superannuation legislation:
(a) Individual employees generally have the opportunity to choose their own superannuation fund.
(b) If a new employee does not choose a superannuation fund, the employer must ask the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) whether the employee is an existing member of a stapled superannuation fund and, if stapled fund details are provided by the ATO, make contributions to the stapled fund.
(c) If an employee does not choose a superannuation fund and does not have a stapled fund, the choice of superannuation fund requirements will be satisfied by contributions made to a superannuation fund nominated in the award covering the employee, provided the fund is able to accept contributions for the benefit of the employee.
(d) A fund may not be able to accept contributions for the benefit of an employee if the employee would be a new member of the fund’s MySuper product and the MySuper product is closed to new members because it has failed the performance tests of Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) for 2 consecutive years.
28.3 Voluntary employee contributions
(a) Subject to the governing rules of the relevant superannuation fund, an employee may, in writing, authorise their employer to pay on behalf of the employee a specified amount from the post-taxation wages of the employee into the same superannuation fund as the employer makes the superannuation contributions provided for in clause 28.2.
(c) The employer must pay the amount authorised under clauses 28.3(a) or 28.3(b) no later than 28 days after the end of the month in which the deduction authorised under clauses 28.3(a) or 28.3(b) was made.
28.4 Superannuation fund
[28.4 varied by PR771287 ppc 09Apr24]
Unless, to comply with superannuation legislation, the employer is required to make the superannuation contributions provided for in clause 28.2 to another superannuation fund, the employer must make the superannuation contributions provided for in clause 28.2 and pay any amount authorised under clauses 28.3(a) or 28.3(b) to one of the following superannuation funds or its successor, provided that, in respect of new employees, the fund is able to accept new beneficiaries:
(a) Construction and Building Industry Super (Cbus);
(b) Building Unions Superannuation (Queensland) (BUSS(Q));
(c) AUST(Q);
(d) AustralianSuper;
(e) CareSuper;
(f) Tasplan;
(g) SunSuper;
(h) Statewide Superannuation Trust;
(i) any superannuation fund to which the employer was making superannuation contributions for the benefit of its employees before 12 September 2008, provided the superannuation fund is an eligible choice fund and is a fund that offers a MySuper product or is an exempt public sector superannuation scheme; or
(j) a superannuation fund or scheme which the employee is a defined benefit member of.
28.5 Absence from work
Subject to the governing rules of the relevant superannuation fund, the employer must also make the superannuation contributions provided for in clause 28.2 and pay the amount authorised under clauses 28.3(a) or 28.3(b):
(a) Paid leave—while the employee is on any paid leave;
(b) Work-related injury or illness—for the period of absence from work (subject to a maximum of 52 weeks) of the employee due to work-related injury or work-related illness provided that:
(i) the employee is receiving workers compensation payments or is receiving regular payments directly from the employer in accordance with the statutory requirements; and
(ii) the employee remains employed by the employer.
Part 5—Overtime and Penalty Rates
[Varied by PR747560, PR763216]
(a) Subject to section 62 of the Act and clause 29.1, an employer may require an employee to work reasonable overtime hours at overtime rates.
(b) An employee may refuse to work overtime hours if they are unreasonable.
(c) In determining whether overtime hours are reasonable or unreasonable for the purpose of clause 29.1 the following must be taken into account:
(i) any risk to employee health and safety from working the additional hours;
(ii) the employee’s personal circumstances, including family responsibilities;
(iii) the needs of the workplace or enterprise in which the employee is employed;
(iv) whether the employee is entitled to receive overtime payments, penalty rates or other compensation for, or a level of remuneration that reflects an expectation of, working additional hours;
(v) any notice given by the employer of any request or requirement to work the additional hours;
(vi) any notice given by the employee of his or her intention to refuse to work the additional hours;
(vii) the usual patterns of work in the industry, or the part of an industry, in which the employee works;
(viii) the nature of the employee’s role, and the employee’s level of responsibility; and
(ix) any other relevant matter.
29.2 No employee under the age of 18 years will be required to work overtime or shiftwork.
NOTE: Overtime and shiftwork for apprentices are dealt with in clause 14.3.
29.4 Payment for working overtime
(a) All time worked beyond an employee’s ordinary working hours (inclusive of time worked for accrual purposes as prescribed in clauses 16—Ordinary hours of work and 17—Shiftwork), Monday to Friday, must be paid for at the rate of 150% of the ordinary hourly rate for the first 2 hours and 200% thereafter.
(b) A casual employee must be paid in accordance with the overtime rates prescribed by clause 12.5.
(a) An employee recalled to work overtime after leaving the employer’s business premises (whether notified before or after leaving the premises) must be paid for a minimum of 3 hours’ work at the appropriate rates for each time the employee is so recalled.
(b) The employee will not be required to work the full 3 hours if the job the employee was recalled to perform is completed within a shorter period, unless unforeseen circumstances arise.
(c) Clause 29.5 will not apply in cases where it is customary for an employee to return to the employer’s premises to perform a specific job outside ordinary working hours or where the overtime is continuous (subject to a reasonable meal break) with the completion or commencement of ordinary working time.
29.6 Work during meal break—day workers
(a) If an employer requires an employee to work during the time prescribed by clause 18.1 for the meal break, the employee must be paid at the rate of 200% of the ordinary hourly rate for the period worked between the prescribed time for the start of the meal break under clause 18.1 and the beginning of the time allowed in substitution for the meal break.
(b) If the meal break provided in accordance with clause 29.6(a) is shortened at the request of the employee to the minimum of 30 minutes prescribed in clause 18.1 or to any other extent (not being less than 30 minutes) the employer will not be required to pay more than the ordinary hourly rate of pay for the time worked as a result of such shortening, but such time will form part of the ordinary working time of the day.
(a) When an employee finishes work at a time when reasonable means of transport are not available, after having worked overtime and/or a shift for which the employee has not been regularly rostered, the employer must pay the cost of, or provide, transport to the employee’s home or to the nearest public transport.
(b) The provisions of clause 29.7 must apply in respect of work on a holiday.
29.8 Consecutive hours off duty
(a) An employee who works so much overtime:
(i) between the termination of the employee’s ordinary work day or shift, and the start of the employee’s work in the next day or shift that the employee has not had at least 10 consecutive hours off duty between these times; or
(ii) on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (not being ordinary working days) or on a rostered day off, without having had 10 consecutive hours off duty in the 24 hours preceding the employee’s ordinary starting time on the next ordinary day or shift;
must be released after completion of such overtime until the employee has had 10 hours off duty without loss of pay for ordinary working time occurring during such absence.
(b) The provisions of clause 29.8(a) must apply in respect of work on a holiday.
(c) An employee who has worked continuously (except for meal and crib times allowed by this award) for 20 hours must not be required to continue at or start work for at least 12 hours.
(d) If, on the instructions of the employer, an employee resumes or continues to work without having had 10 consecutive hours off duty, the employee must be paid at 200% of the ordinary hourly rate until the employee is released from duty for such period and will then be entitled to be absent until the employee has had 10 consecutive hours off duty without loss of pay for ordinary working time occurring during such absence.
(e) The provisions of clause 29.8 will apply in the case of shiftworkers as if 8 hours were substituted for 10 hours when overtime is worked:
(i) for the purpose of changing shift rosters; or
(ii) where a shiftworker does not report for duty and a day worker or a shiftworker is required to replace such shiftworker; or
(iii) where a shift is worked by arrangement between the employees themselves.
29.9 All work performed on any of the holidays prescribed by the NES or substituted instead thereof, must be paid at 250% of the ordinary hourly rate.
[29.11 inserted by PR747560 ppc 14Nov22]
29.11 Hours of work performed immediately before or after a part-day public holiday, that form part of one continuous shift, are counted as part of the minimum payment/engagement period in clause 29.10.
[29.11 renumbered as 29.12 by PR747560 ppc 14Nov22]
29.12 All work performed on a Saturday or a Sunday will be paid in accordance with clause 30—Penalty rates.
[29.12 renumbered as 29.13 by PR747560 ppc 14Nov22]
29.13 Time off instead of payment for overtime
(a) Clause 29.13 does not apply to daily hire employees or casual employees.
(b) An employee and employer may agree in writing to the employee taking time off instead of being paid for a particular amount of overtime that has been worked by the employee.
(d) An agreement must state each of the following:
(i) the number of overtime hours to which it applies and when those hours were worked;
(ii) that the employer and employee agree that the employee may take time off instead of being paid for the overtime;
(iv) that any payment mentioned in clause 29.13(d)(iii) must be made in the next pay period following the request.
NOTE: An example of the type of agreement required by this clause is set out at Schedule E—Agreement for time off instead of payment for overtime. There is no requirement to use the form of agreement set out at Schedule E—Agreement for time off instead of payment for overtime. An agreement under clause 29.13 can also be made by an exchange of emails between the employee and employer, or by other electronic means.
(e) The period of time off that an employee is entitled to take is the same as the number of overtime hours worked.
EXAMPLE: By making an agreement under clause 29.13 an employee who worked 2 overtime hours is entitled to 2 hours’ time off.
(i) within the period of 6 months after the overtime is worked; and
(ii) at a time or times within that period of 6 months agreed by the employee and employer.
(g) If the employee requests at any time, to be paid for overtime covered by an agreement under clause 29.13 but not taken as time off, the employer must pay the employee for the overtime, in the next pay period following the request, at the overtime rate applicable to the overtime when worked.
(h) If time off for overtime that has been worked is not taken within the period of 6 months mentioned in clause 29.13(f), the employer must pay the employee for the overtime, in the next pay period following those 6 months, at the overtime rate applicable to the overtime when worked.
(i) The employer must keep a copy of any agreement under clause 29.13 as an employee record.
(j) An employer must not exert undue influence or undue pressure on an employee in relation to a decision by the employee to make, or not make, an agreement to take time off instead of payment for overtime.
(k) An employee may, under section 65 of the Act, request to take time off, at a time or times specified in the request or to be subsequently agreed by the employer and the employee, instead of being paid for overtime worked by the employee. If the employer agrees to the request then clause 29.13 will apply, including the requirement for separate written agreements under clause 29.13(c) for overtime that has been worked.
[Note varied by PR763216 ppc 01Aug23]
NOTE: If an employee makes a request under section 65 of the Act for a change in working arrangements, the employer may only refuse that request on reasonable business grounds (see section 65A(3) of the Act).
(l) If, on the termination of the employee’s employment, time off for overtime worked by the employee to which clause 29.13 applies has not been taken, the employer must pay the employee for the overtime at the overtime rate applicable to the overtime when worked.
NOTE: Under section 345(1) of the Act a person must not knowingly or recklessly make a false or misleading representation about the workplace rights of another person under clause 29.13.
[Varied by PR747560]
30.1 Weekend and public holiday work
(a) Subject to clauses 30.1(b) and 30.1(c), overtime worked on Saturday must be paid at 150% of the ordinary hourly rate for the first 2 hours and 200% thereafter.
(b) All overtime worked after 12 noon on Saturday must be paid at 200% of the ordinary hourly rate.
(d) All time worked on Sundays must be paid at 200% of the ordinary hourly rate.
[30.1(e) varied by PR747560 ppc 14Nov22]
(f) A casual employee must be paid for overtime or weekend work in accordance with clause 12.5.
(a) Subject to clause 30.2(b), an employee required to work overtime on a Saturday must be afforded at least 3 hours’ work or be paid for 3 hours at the appropriate rate.
(c) An employee required to work overtime on a Sunday must be afforded at least 4 hours’ work or be paid for 4 hours at the appropriate rate.
[30.2(e) inserted by PR747560 ppc 14Nov22]
30.3 Paid rest period during over time—Saturday and Sunday
(a) An employee working overtime on Saturday or Sunday must be allowed a paid rest period of 10 minutes between 9.00 am and 11.00 am.
(b) This provision operates in place of clause 18.3(a).
30.4 Paid crib time during overtime—Saturday and Sunday
(a) An employee working overtime on a Saturday or working on a Sunday must be allowed a paid crib time of 20 minutes after 4 hours’ work, to be paid for at the ordinary hourly rate of pay but this provision will not prevent any arrangements being made for the taking of a 30 minute meal period, the time in addition to the paid 20 minutes being without pay. This provision operates in place of clause 18.1(a).
(b) In the event of an employee being required to work in excess of a further 4 hours, the employee must be allowed to take a paid crib time of 30 minutes which will be paid at the ordinary hourly rate of pay. This provision operates in place of clauses 18.3(a) and 18.3(b).
Part 6—Leave and Public Holidays
[Varied by PR751044]
31.1 Leave entitlement
(a) Annual leave is provided for in the NES.
(b) For the purpose of the additional week of leave provided by the NES, a shiftworker means a continuous shiftworker as defined in this award.
31.2 Payment for annual leave
(a) Instead of the base rate of pay as referred to in section 90(1) of the Act, an employee under this award, before going on annual leave, must be paid, in advance, the amount which they would have received for working ordinary time hours if they had not been on leave.
(b) In addition to the payment prescribed in clause 31.2(a), an employee must be paid during a period of annual leave a loading of 17.5% calculated on that amount. This loading will also be payable on accrued leave paid out on termination of employment.
(c) Instead of the payment in respect of annual leave loading provided for in clause 31.2(b), an employee who would have worked on shiftwork had they not been on leave and where the employee would have received shift loadings prescribed by clause 17—Shiftwork, had they not been on leave during the relevant period and such loadings would have entitled them to a greater amount than the loading of 17.5%, then the shift loading as prescribed in clause 17—Shiftwork will be included in the rate of wage prescribed by clause 31.2(b) instead of the 17.5% loading.
NOTE: Where an employee is receiving over-award payments such that the employee’s base rate of pay is higher than the rate specified under this award, the employee is entitled to receive the higher rate while on a period of paid annual leave (see sections 16 and 90 of the Act).
(d) Electronic funds transfer (EFT) payment of annual leave
Despite anything else in clause 31, an employee paid by electronic funds transfer (EFT) may be paid in accordance with their usual pay cycle while on paid annual leave.
31.3 Direction to take annual leave during shutdown
[31.3 renamed and substituted by PR751044 ppc 01May23]
(a) Clause 31.3 applies if an employer:
(i) intends to shut down all or part of its operation for a particular period in conjunction with the Christmas/New Year holidays (temporary shutdown period); and
(ii) wishes to require affected employees to take paid annual leave during that period.
(c) The employer must give written notice of a temporary shutdown period to any employee who is engaged after the notice is given under clause 31.3(b) and who will be affected by that period as soon as reasonably practicable after the employee is engaged.
(e) A direction by the employer under clause 31.3(d):
(i) must be in writing; and
(ii) must be reasonable.
(f) The employee must take paid annual leave in accordance with a direction under clause 31.3(d).
(g) In respect of any part of a temporary shutdown period which is not the subject of a direction under clause 31.3(d), an employer and an employee may agree, in writing, for the employee to take leave without pay during that part of the temporary shutdown period.
(h) An employee may take annual leave in advance during a temporary shutdown period in accordance with an agreement under clause 31.4.
(i) In determining the amount of paid annual leave to which an employee has accrued an entitlement, any period of paid annual leave taken in advance by the employee, in accordance with an agreement under clause 31.4, to which an entitlement has not been accrued, is to be taken into account.
(j) Clauses 31.6 to 31.8 do not apply to a period of annual leave that an employee is required to take during a temporary shutdown period in accordance with clause 31.3.
(a) An employer and employee may agree in writing to the employee taking a period of paid annual leave before the employee has accrued an entitlement to the leave.
(i) state the amount of leave to be taken in advance and the date on which leave is to commence; and
(ii) be signed by the employer and employee and, if the employee is under 18 years of age, by the employee’s parent or guardian.
NOTE: An example of the type of agreement required by clause 31.4 is set out at Schedule F—Agreement to Take Annual Leave in Advance. There is no requirement to use the form of agreement set out at Schedule F—Agreement to Take Annual Leave in Advance.
(c) The employer must keep a copy of any agreement under clause 31.4 as an employee record.
(d) If, on the termination of the employee’s employment, the employee has not accrued an entitlement to all of a period of paid annual leave already taken in accordance with an agreement under clause 31.4, the employer may deduct from any money due to the employee on termination an amount equal to the amount that was paid to the employee in respect of any part of the period of annual leave taken in advance to which an entitlement has not been accrued.
31.5 Cashing out of annual leave
(a) Paid annual leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with an agreement under clause 31.5.
(b) Each cashing out of a particular amount of paid annual leave must be the subject of a separate agreement under clause 31.5.
(c) An employer and an employee may agree in writing to the cashing out of a particular amount of accrued paid annual leave by the employee.
(d) An agreement under clause 31.5 must state:
(i) the amount of leave to be cashed out and the payment to be made to the employee for it; and
(ii) the date on which the payment is to be made.
(e) An agreement under clause 31.5 must be signed by the employer and employee and, if the employee is under 18 years of age, by the employee’s parent or guardian.
(f) The payment must not be less than the amount that would have been payable had the employee taken the leave at the time the payment is made.
(g) An agreement must not result in the employee’s remaining accrued entitlement to paid annual leave being less than 4 weeks.
(h) The maximum amount of accrued paid annual leave that may be cashed out in any period of 12 months is 2 weeks.
(i) The employer must keep a copy of any agreement under clause 31.5 as an employee record.
NOTE 1: Under section 344 of the Act, an employer must not exert undue influence or undue pressure on an employee to make, or not make, an agreement under clause 31.5.
NOTE 2: Under section 345(1) of the Act, a person must not knowingly or recklessly make a false or misleading representation about the workplace rights of another person under clause 31.5.
NOTE 3: An example of the type of agreement required by clause 31.5 is set out at Schedule G—Agreement to Cash Out Annual Leave. There is no requirement to use the form of agreement set out at Schedule G—Agreement to Cash Out Annual Leave.
31.6 Excessive leave accruals: general provision
NOTE: Clauses 31.6 to 31.8 contain provisions, additional to the NES, about the taking of paid annual leave as a way of dealing with the accrual of excessive paid annual leave. See Part 2.2, Division 6 of the Act.
(a) An employee has an excessive leave accrual if the employee has accrued more than 8 weeks’ paid annual leave (or 10 weeks’ paid annual leave for a shiftworker, as defined by clause 31.1(b)).
(c) Clause 31.7 sets out how an employer may direct an employee who has an excessive leave accrual to take paid annual leave.
(d) Clause 31.8 sets out how an employee who has an excessive leave accrual may require an employer to grant paid annual leave requested by the employee.
31.7 Excessive leave accruals: direction by employer that leave be taken
(a) If an employer has genuinely tried to reach agreement with an employee under clause 31.6(b) but agreement is not reached (including because the employee refuses to confer), the employer may direct the employee in writing to take one or more periods of paid annual leave.
(b) However, a direction by the employer under clause 31.7(a):
(i) is of no effect if it would result at any time in the employee’s remaining accrued entitlement to paid annual leave being less than 6 weeks when any other paid annual leave arrangements (whether made under clause 31.6, 31.7 or 31.8 or otherwise agreed by the employer and employee) are taken into account; and
(ii) must not require the employee to take any period of paid annual leave of less than one week; and
(iii) must not require the employee to take a period of paid annual leave beginning less than 8 weeks, or more than 12 months, after the direction is given; and
(iv) must not be inconsistent with any leave arrangement agreed by the employer and employee.
(c) The employee must take paid annual leave in accordance with a direction under clause 31.7(a) that is in effect.
(d) An employee to whom a direction has been given under clause 31.7(a) may request to take a period of paid annual leave as if the direction had not been given.
NOTE 1: Paid annual leave arising from a request mentioned in clause 31.7(d) may result in the direction ceasing to have effect. See clause 31.7(b)(i).
NOTE 2: Under section 88(2) of the Act, the employer must not unreasonably refuse to agree to a request by the employee to take paid annual leave.
31.8 Excessive leave accruals: request by employee for leave
(a) If an employee has genuinely tried to reach agreement with an employer under clause 31.6(b) but agreement is not reached (including because the employer refuses to confer), the employee may give a written notice to the employer requesting to take one or more periods of paid annual leave.
(b) However, an employee may only give a notice to the employer under clause 31.8(a) if:
(i) the employee has had an excessive leave accrual for more than 6 months at the time of giving the notice; and
(ii) the employee has not been given a direction under clause 31.7(a) that, when any other paid annual leave arrangements (whether made under clause 31.6, 31.7 or 31.8 or otherwise agreed by the employer and employee) are taken into account, would eliminate the employee’s excessive leave accrual.
(c) A notice given by an employee under clause 31.8(a) must not:
(i) if granted, result in the employee’s remaining accrued entitlement to paid annual leave being at any time less than 6 weeks when any other paid annual leave arrangements (whether made under clause 31.6, 31.7 or 31.8 or otherwise agreed by the employer and employee) are taken into account; or
(ii) provide for the employee to take any period of paid annual leave of less than one week; or
(iii) provide for the employee to take a period of paid annual leave beginning less than 8 weeks, or more than 12 months, after the notice is given; or
(iv) be inconsistent with any leave arrangement agreed by the employer and employee.
(d) An employee is not entitled to request by a notice under clause 31.8(a) more than 4 weeks’ paid annual leave (or 5 weeks’ paid annual leave for a shiftworker, as defined by clause 31.1(b) in any period of 12 months.
(e) The employer must grant paid annual leave requested by a notice under clause 31.8(a).
32. Personal/carer’s leave and compassionate leave
32.1 Personal/carer’s leave entitlements are provided for in the NES.
32.2 If an employee is terminated by the employer and is re-engaged by the same employer within a period of 6 months, then the employee’s unclaimed balance of personal/carer’s leave will continue from the date of re-engagement. In such case the employee’s next year of service will commence after a total of 12 months has been served with that employer excluding the period of interruption in service from the date of commencement of the previous period of employment or the anniversary of the commencement of the previous period of employment.
33. Parental leave and related entitlements
[33 varied by PR763216 ppc 01Aug23]
Parental leave and related entitlements are provided for in the NES.
NOTE: Disputes about requests for extensions to unpaid parental leave may be dealt with under clause 39—Dispute resolution and/or under section 76B of the Act.
Community service leave is provided for in the NES.
35. Family and domestic violence leave
[35—Unpaid family and domestic violence leave renamed and substituted by PR750439 ppc 15Mar23]
Family and domestic violence leave is provided for in the NES.
NOTE 1: Information provided to employers concerning an employee’s experience of family and domestic violence is sensitive and if mishandled can have adverse consequences for the employee. Employers are subject to confidentiality requirements regarding the handling of this information under section 106C of the Act and requirements as to what can be reported on payslips pursuant to regulations 3.47 and 3.48 of the Fair Work Regulations 2009.
NOTE 2: Depending upon the circumstances, evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person of the employee’s need to take family and domestic violence leave may include a document issued by the police service, a court or family violence support service, or a statutory declaration.
[Varied by by PR747560]
36.1 Public holiday entitlements are provided for in the NES.
36.2 An employer and employee may agree to substitute another day for a day that would otherwise be a public holiday under the NES.
36.3 An employer and employee may agree to substitute another part-day for a part-day that would otherwise be a part-day public holiday under the NES.
[36.4 deleted by PR747560 ppc 14Nov22]
Part 7—Workplace Delegates, Consultation and Dispute Resolution
[Part 7—Consultation and Dispute Resolution renamed by PR774725 from 01Jul24]
36A. Workplace delegates’ rights
[36A inserted by PR774725 from 01Jul24]
36A.1 Clause 36A provides for the exercise of the rights of workplace delegates set out in section 350C of the Act.
NOTE: Under section 350C(4) of the Act, the employer is taken to have afforded a workplace delegate the rights mentioned in section 350C(3) if the employer has complied with clause 36A.
36A.2 In clause 36A:
(a) employer means the employer of the workplace delegate;
(b) delegate’s organisation means the employee organisation in accordance with the rules of which the workplace delegate was appointed or elected; and
(c) eligible employees means members and persons eligible to be members of the delegate’s organisation who are employed by the employer in the enterprise.
36A.3 Before exercising entitlements under clause 36A, a workplace delegate must give the employer written notice of their appointment or election as a workplace delegate. If requested, the workplace delegate must provide the employer with evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person of their appointment or election.
36A.4 An employee who ceases to be a workplace delegate must give written notice to the employer within 14 days.
36A.5 Right of representation
A workplace delegate may represent the industrial interests of eligible employees who wish to be represented by the workplace delegate in matters including:
(a) consultation about major workplace change;
(b) consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work;
(c) resolution of disputes;
(d) disciplinary processes;
(e) enterprise bargaining where the workplace delegate has been appointed as a bargaining representative under section 176 of the Act or is assisting the delegate’s organisation with enterprise bargaining; and
(f) any process or procedure within an award, enterprise agreement or policy of the employer under which eligible employees are entitled to be represented and which concerns their industrial interests.
36A.6 Entitlement to reasonable communication
(a) A workplace delegate may communicate with eligible employees for the purpose of representing their industrial interests under clause 36A.5. This includes discussing membership of the delegate’s organisation and representation with eligible employees.
(b) A workplace delegate may communicate with eligible employees during working hours or work breaks, or before or after work.
36A.7 Entitlement to reasonable access to the workplace and workplace facilities
(a) The employer must provide a workplace delegate with access to or use of the following workplace facilities:
(i) a room or area to hold discussions that is fit for purpose, private and accessible by the workplace delegate and eligible employees;
(ii) a physical or electronic noticeboard;
(iii) electronic means of communication ordinarily used in the workplace by the employer to communicate with eligible employees and by eligible employees to communicate with each other, including access to Wi-Fi;
(iv) a lockable filing cabinet or other secure document storage area; and
(v) office facilities and equipment including printers, scanners and photocopiers.
(b) The employer is not required to provide access to or use of a workplace facility under clause 36A.7(a) if:
(i) the workplace does not have the facility;
(ii) due to operational requirements, it is impractical to provide access to or use of the facility at the time or in the manner it is sought; or
(iii) the employer does not have access to the facility at the enterprise and is unable to obtain access after taking reasonable steps.
36A.8 Entitlement to reasonable access to training
Unless the employer is a small business employer, the employer must provide a workplace delegate with access to up to 5 days of paid time during normal working hours for initial training and at least one day each subsequent year, to attend training related to representation of the industrial interests of eligible employees, subject to the following conditions:
(a) In each year commencing 1 July, the employer is not required to provide access to paid time for training to more than one workplace delegate per 50 eligible employees.
(b) The number of eligible employees will be determined on the day a delegate requests paid time to attend training, as the number of eligible employees who are:
(i) full-time or part-time employees; or
(ii) regular casual employees.
(c) Payment for a day of paid time during normal working hours is payment of the amount the workplace delegate would have been paid for the hours the workplace delegate would have been rostered or required to work on that day if the delegate had not been absent from work to attend the training.
(d) The workplace delegate must give the employer not less than 5 weeks’ notice (unless the employer and delegate agree to a shorter period of notice) of the dates, subject matter, the daily start and finish times of the training, and the name of the training provider.
(e) If requested by the employer, the workplace delegate must provide the employer with an outline of the training content.
(f) The employer must advise the workplace delegate not less than 2 weeks from the day on which the training is scheduled to commence, whether the workplace delegate’s access to paid time during normal working hours to attend the training has been approved. Such approval must not be unreasonably withheld.
(g) The workplace delegate must, within 7 days after the day on which the training ends, provide the employer with evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person of their attendance at the training.
36A.9 Exercise of entitlements under clause 36A
(a) A workplace delegate’s entitlements under clause 36A are subject to the conditions that the workplace delegate must, when exercising those entitlements:
(i) comply with their duties and obligations as an employee;
(ii) comply with the reasonable policies and procedures of the employer, including reasonable codes of conduct and requirements in relation to occupational health and safety and acceptable use of ICT resources;
(iii) not hinder, obstruct or prevent the normal performance of work; and
(iv) not hinder, obstruct or prevent eligible employees exercising their rights to freedom of association.
(b) Clause 36A does not require the employer to provide a workplace delegate with access to electronic means of communication in a way that provides individual contact details for eligible employees.
(c) Clause 36A does not require an eligible employee to be represented by a workplace delegate without the employee’s agreement.
NOTE: Under section 350A of the Act, the employer must not:
(a) unreasonably fail or refuse to deal with a workplace delegate; or
(b) knowingly or recklessly make a false or misleading representation to a workplace delegate; or
(c) unreasonably hinder, obstruct or prevent the exercise of the rights of a workplace delegate under the Act or clause 36A.
36A.10 Interaction with other clauses of this award
Other clauses of this award may give additional or more favourable entitlements to workplace delegates (however described). If an entitlement of a workplace delegate under another clause of this award is more favourable to the delegate than an entitlement under clause 36A, the entitlement under the other clause applies instead of the entitlement under clause 36A.
37. Consultation about major workplace change
(a) give notice of the changes to all employees who may be affected by them and their representatives (if any); and
(b) discuss with affected employees and their representatives (if any):
(i) the introduction of the changes; and
(ii) their likely effect on employees; and
(iii) measures to avoid or reduce the adverse effects of the changes on employees; and
(c) commence discussions as soon as practicable after a definite decision has been made.
37.2 For the purposes of the discussion under clause 37.1(b), the employer must give in writing to the affected employees and their representatives (if any) all relevant information about the changes including:
(a) their nature; and
(b) their expected effect on employees; and
(c) any other matters likely to affect employees.
37.3 Clause 37.2 does not require an employer to disclose any confidential information if its disclosure would be contrary to the employer’s interests.
37.4 The employer must promptly consider any matters raised by the employees or their representatives about the changes in the course of the discussion under clause 37.1(b).
37.5 In clause 37 significant effects, on employees, includes any of the following:
(a) termination of employment; or
(b) major changes in the composition, operation or size of the employer’s workforce or in the skills required; or
(c) loss of, or reduction in, job or promotion opportunities; or
(d) loss of, or reduction in, job tenure; or
(e) alteration of hours of work; or
(f) the need for employees to be retrained or transferred to other work or locations; or
(g) job restructuring.
37.6 Where this award makes provision for alteration of any of the matters defined at clause 37.5, such alteration is taken not to have significant effect.
38. Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work
38.1 Clause 38 applies if an employer proposes to change the regular roster or ordinary hours of work of an employee, other than an employee whose working hours are irregular, sporadic or unpredictable.
38.3 For the purpose of the consultation, the employer must:
(a) provide to the employees and representatives mentioned in clause 38.2 information about the proposed change (for example, information about the nature of the change and when it is to begin); and
38.4 The employer must consider any views given under clause 38.3(b).
38.5 Clause 38 is to be read in conjunction with any other provisions of this award concerning the scheduling of work or the giving of notice.
[Varied by PR763216, PR777247, PR777978]
39.1 Clause 39 sets out the procedures to be followed if a dispute arises about a matter under this award or in relation to the NES.
39.3 If the dispute is not resolved through discussion as mentioned in clause 39.2, the parties to the dispute must then try to resolve it in a timely manner at the workplace through discussion between the employee or employees concerned and more senior levels of management, as appropriate.
39.4 If the dispute is unable to be resolved at the workplace and all appropriate steps have been taken under clauses 39.2 and 39.3, a party to the dispute may refer it to the Fair Work Commission.
39.5 The parties may agree on the process to be followed by the Fair Work Commission in dealing with the dispute, including mediation, conciliation and consent arbitration.
39.6 If the dispute remains unresolved, the Fair Work Commission may use any method of dispute resolution that it is permitted by the Act to use and that it considers appropriate for resolving the dispute.
39.7 A party to the dispute may appoint a person, organisation or association to support and/or represent them in any discussion or process under clause 39.
39.8 While procedures are being followed under clause 39 in relation to a dispute:
(a) work must continue in accordance with this award and the Act; and
(b) an employee must not unreasonably fail to comply with any direction given by the employer about performing work, whether at the same or another workplace, that is safe and appropriate for the employee to perform.
39.9 Clause 39.8 is subject to any applicable work health and safety legislation.
39.10 Dispute resolution procedure training leave
(a) For the purpose of clause 39.10, an eligible employee representative is an employee who is a shop steward, a delegate, or an employee representative duly elected or appointed by the employees in an enterprise or workplace or part of an enterprise or workplace for the purpose of representing those employees in the dispute resolution procedure.
(b) An eligible employee representative will be entitled to up to 5 days’ paid leave per year to undertake training that will assist them in their settlement of disputes role. The time of taking such leave will be agreed between them and their employer so as to minimise any adverse effect on the employer’s operations.
[Note 1 and Note 2 inserted by PR763216; deleted by PR777978 from 26Aug24]
[Note inserted by PR777978 from 26Aug24; varied by PR777247 from 27Aug24]]
NOTE: In addition to clause 39, the Act contains dispute resolution procedures as follows:
For a dispute about rights under the Act to |
Section |
Request flexible working arrangements |
65B |
Change casual employment status |
66M |
Request an extension to unpaid parental leave |
76B |
Exercise an employee’s right to disconnect |
333N |
Part 8—Termination of Employment and Redundancy
NOTE: The NES sets out requirements for notice of termination by an employer. See sections 117 and 123 of the Act.
40.1 Notice of termination by an employee
(a) Clause 40.1 applies to all employees except those identified in sections 123(1) and 123(3) of the Act.
NOTE: by section 123(3)(a) clause 40 does not apply to daily hire employees working in the building and construction industry.
(b) An employee must give the employer notice of termination in accordance with Table 1—Period of notice of at least the period specified in column 2 according to the period of continuous service of the employee specified in column 1.
Column 1 Employee’s period of continuous service with the employer at the end of the day the notice is given |
Column 2 Period of notice |
Not more than 1 year |
1 week |
More than 1 year but not more than 3 years |
2 weeks |
More than 3 years but not more than 5 years |
3 weeks |
More than 5 years |
4 weeks |
NOTE: The notice of termination required to be given by an employee is the same as that required of an employer except that the employee does not have to give additional notice based on the age of the employee.
(c) In clause 40.1(b) continuous service has the same meaning as in section 117 of the Act.
(d) If an employee who is at least 18 years old does not give the period of notice required under clause 40.1(b), then the employer may deduct from wages due to the employee under this award an amount that is no more than one week’s wages for the employee.
(e) If the employer has agreed to a shorter period of notice than that required under clause 40.1(b), then no deduction can be made under clause 40.1(d).
(f) Any deduction made under clause 40.1(d) must not be unreasonable in the circumstances.
(a) Where an employer has given notice of termination to an employee, the employee must be allowed time off without loss of pay of up to one day for the purpose of seeking other employment.
(b) The time off under clause 40.2 is to be taken at times that are convenient to the employee after consultation with the employer.
41. Industry specific redundancy scheme
41.1 The following redundancy clause for the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry (as defined) is an industry specific redundancy scheme as defined in section 12 of the Act. In accordance with section 123(4)(b) of the Act the provisions of Subdivision B—Redundancy pay of Division 11 of the NES do not apply to employers and employees covered by this award.
41.2 Definition
For the purposes of clause 41, redundancy means a situation where an employee ceases to be employed by an employer to whom this award applies, other than for reasons of misconduct or refusal of duty. Redundant has a corresponding meaning.
(a) A redundant employee will receive redundancy/severance payments, calculated as follows, in respect of all continuous service with the employer:
Period of continuous service with an employer |
Redundancy/severance pay |
1 year or more but less than 2 years |
2.4 weeks’ pay plus for all service in excess of 1 year, 1.75 hours pay per completed week of service up to a maximum of 4.8 weeks’ pay |
2 years or more but less than 3 years |
4.8 weeks’ pay plus, for all service in excess of 2 years, 1.6 hours pay per completed week of service up to a maximum of 7 weeks’ pay |
3 years or more than but less than 4 years |
7 weeks’ pay plus, for all service in excess of 3 years, 0.73 hours pay per completed week of service up to a maximum of 8 weeks’ pay |
4 years or more |
8 weeks’ pay |
(b) Provided that an employee employed for less than 12 months will be entitled to a redundancy/severance payment of 1.75 hours per week of service if, and only if, redundancy is occasioned otherwise than by the employee.
(c) Week’s pay means the ordinary hourly rate at the time of termination multiplied by 38. Hour’s pay means the ordinary hourly rate at the time of termination.
(d) If an employee dies with a period of eligible service which would have entitled that employee to redundancy pay, such redundancy pay entitlement will be paid to the estate of the employee.
(e) Any period of service as a casual will not entitle an employee to accrue service in accordance with clause 41.3 for that period.
(f) Service as an apprentice will entitle an employee to accumulate credits towards the payment of a redundancy benefit in accordance with clause 41.3 if the employee completes an apprenticeship and remains in employment with that employer for a further 12 months.
(a) An employer may offset an employee’s redundancy pay entitlement in whole or in part by contributions to a redundancy pay scheme.
(b) Provided that where the employment of an employee is terminated and:
(i) the employee receives a benefit from a redundancy pay scheme, the employee will only receive the difference between the redundancy pay in clause 41.3 and the amount of the redundancy pay scheme benefit the employee receives which is attributable to employer contributions. If the redundancy pay scheme benefit is greater than the amount payable under clause 41.3 then the employee will receive no redundancy payment under clause 41.3; or
(ii) the employee does not receive a benefit from a redundancy pay scheme, contributions made by an employer on behalf of an employee to the scheme will, to the extent of those contributions, be offset against the liability of the employer under clause 41.3, and payments to the employee will be made in accordance with the rules of the redundancy pay scheme fund or any agreement relating thereto. The employee will be entitled to the fund benefit or the award benefit whichever is greater but not both.
41.5 Service as an employee for the Crown in the Right of the State of Western Australia, the Crown in the Right of the State of New South Wales, Victorian Statutory Authorities, or the Crown in the Right of the State of Victoria will not be counted as service for the purpose of clause 41.
41.6 Employee leaving during notice period
An employee whose employment is to be terminated in accordance with clause 41 may terminate their employment during the period of notice and if this occurs, the employee will be entitled to the provisions of clause 41 as if the employee remains with the employer until expiry of such notice. Provided that in such circumstances, the employee will not be entitled to payment instead of notice.
(a) Where a business is, before or after the date of this award, transferred from an employer (in clause 41.7(a) called the old employer) to another employer (in clause 41.7(a) called the new employer) and an employee who at the time of such transfer was an employee of the old employer in that business becomes an employee of the new employer:
(i) the continuity of the employment of the employee will be deemed not to have been broken by reason of such transfer, and
(ii) the period of employment which the employee has had with the old employer or any prior old employer will be deemed to be service of the employee with the new employer,
for the purpose of redundancy pay entitlements under clause 41.
(b) In clause 41.7, business includes trade, process, business or occupation and includes part of any such business and transfer includes transfer, conveyance, assignment or succession whether by agreement or by operation of law. Transferred has a corresponding meaning.
Part 9—Industry Specific Provisions
[Varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904]
[42.2(a) varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
(a) In addition to the weekly award rates specified in clause 19.1, employees must be paid an amount of $152.78 per week as an all-purpose lift industry allowance in consideration of the peculiarities and disabilities associated with the installation, major modernisation, servicing, repairing and/or maintenance of lifts and escalators and in recognition of the fact that employees engaged in such work may be required to perform, and/or assist to perform, any of such work.
(b) Apprentices must be paid the following proportion of the appropriate lift industry allowance as follows:
Year of apprenticeship |
% of allowance |
1st year of apprenticeship |
55 |
2nd year of apprenticeship |
65 |
3rd year of apprenticeship |
75 |
4th year of apprenticeship |
90 |
(c) An employee in receipt of the lift industry allowance prescribed by clause 42.2(a) will not be entitled to any of the special rates prescribed in clause 23.10.
(d) An employee who is ordinarily engaged in the employer’s workshop and who, from time to time, is required to perform any of the work prescribed in clause 42.2(a) will, in respect of such work, be entitled to payment of a portion of the lift industry allowance in accordance with the provisions of clause 19.10—Higher duties.
(e) An electrical tradesperson who has performed work away from a workshop in connection with the installation, major modernisation, servicing repairing, and/or maintenance of lifts and escalators for a period of not less than 2 years will be classified as Electrician special class.
(f) The amounts specified in clause 42.2 will be paid for all purposes.
The provisions of the award will apply to employees covered by clause 42 excepting the provisions of clauses 23.2 and 23.7.
43. Forepersons and supervisors
[Varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904]
43.1 Application
Clause 43 applies to forepersons and supervisors in the metal and engineering construction sector covered by this award but does not apply to any employer employing fewer than 30 employees.
[43.2 varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
The weekly minimum rate for forepersons and supervisors will be as follows:
Classification |
Supervision of 3 or more tradespersons, excluding leading hands |
Supervision of other than 3 or more tradespersons, excluding leading hands |
|
$ |
$ |
Foreperson/supervisor |
1108.70 |
1201.80 |
General foreperson/supervisor |
1078.70 |
1176.50 |
(b) General foreperson/supervisor means an employee appointed as such or required by his/her employer to be mainly engaged in the direct supervision and coordination of the work of at least 2 forepersons/supervisors as defined in clause 43.3(a) but does not include site managers, departmental heads and the like.
Schedule A—Classification Definitions
A.1 Definition of key concepts and terms
A.1.1 Australian qualifications framework or AQF refers to the system of competency based training and certification.
A.1.2 Civil construction stream includes all related skills involved in earthmoving, plant operation and associated activity and does not extend beyond the scope of this award.
A.1.3 Engineering streams are defined as:
(a) Electrical/electronic stream—including the design, assembly, manufacture, installation, modification, testing, fault finding, commissioning, maintenance and service of all electrical and electronic devices systems, equipment and controls, e.g. electrical wiring, motors, generators, PLCs and other electronic controls, instruments, refrigeration, telecommunications, radio and television, communication and information processing.
(b) Mechanical stream—including the design, assembly, manufacture, installation, modification, testing, fault finding, commissioning, maintenance and service of all mechanical equipment, machinery, fluid power systems, automotive mechanics, instruments, refrigeration, and the use of related computer controlled equipment e.g. Computer Numeric Controlled machine tools.
(c) Fabrication stream—including fabrication, forging, founding, structural steel erection, electroplating, metal spinning, metal polishing, sheet metal work and the use of related computer controlled equipment. This includes fabrication in all metals, plastics, carbon fibre, composite materials, ceramics and other materials.
A.1.4 Fields of work means a defined grouping of logically related skills based on an efficient organisation of work.
A.1.5 General construction stream includes all fields of work principally concerned with general building and construction, including the erection of new structures or buildings (including demolition and pre-construction) and fitout and finishing activities relating to newly constructed or existing buildings or structures, and does not extend beyond the scope of this award.
A.1.6 Industry accredited course or nationally accredited course is a course which has been constructed to reflect a group of standards which the CPSISC, the RIISC, the MSA or Ee-oz or other relevant Skills Council has endorsed as being appropriate combinations of skills to be available to the industry.
A.1.7 CPSISC means the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council. RIISC means the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Skills Council. MSA means Manufacturing Skills Australia. Ee-oz means the ElectroComms and Energy Utilities Industry Skills Council Ltd. CPSISC, RIISC, MSA and Ee-oz will be the recognised authorities (for the purposes of this schedule) responsible for developing competency standards for consideration and endorsement by the National Quality Council.
A.1.8 New entrant means an employee who has never previously worked within the on‑site building construction industry. If there is any doubt as to the status of an employee in this regard, the following documentation may be regarded as prima facie evidence that an employee is not a new entrant:
· documentary evidence concerning registration with any of the construction industry portable long service leave schemes; or
· documentary evidence concerning contributions into an approved industry superannuation fund (e.g. Construction and Building Industry Super (Cbus)).
A.1.9 Recognition of Prior Learning or RPL means the formal recognition of skills attained through on-the-job experience and/or training and may include formal qualifications (such as overseas qualifications), which have up until now been unrecognised.
A.1.10 Self-directed WAT means a group of employees who work as a team to plan and execute functions relevant to their employers business. WATs are generally autonomous of direct managerial supervision and perform their tasks in a way which maximises productivity and the utilisation of skills.
A.1.11 Streams or skill streams means a broad grouping of skills related to a particular phase or aspect of production and does not extend beyond the scope of this award.
Clause A.1.12 recognises 2 levels of supervision which are as follows:
(a) General supervision applies to a person who:
· receives general instructions, usually covering only the broader technical aspects of the work;
· may be subject to progress checks but such checks are usually confined to ensuring that, in broad terms, satisfactory progress is being made;
· has their assignments reviewed on completion; and
· although technically competent and well experienced there may be occasions on which the person will receive more detailed instructions.
(b) Limited supervision applies to a person who:
· receives only limited instructions normally confined to a clear statement of objectives;
· has their work usually measured in terms of the achievement of stated objectives; and
· is fully competent and very experienced in a technical sense and requires little guidance in the performance of work.
A.1.13 Work in a technical field includes:
· Production planning, including scheduling, work study, and estimating materials, handling systems and like work;
· Technical, including inspection, quality control, supplier evaluation, laboratory, non-destructive testing, technical purchasing, and design and development work (prototypes, models, specifications) in both product and process areas and like work; and
· Design and draughting and like work.
A.1.14 Trade includes an employee who possesses as a minimum qualification a trade certificate in any of the streams (as defined).
A.2 Classifications and related issues
A.2.1 Construction worker level 1/Engineering construction worker level 1 (CW/ECW 1)
(a) A CW/ECW 1 works under general supervision in one or more skill streams contained within this award. An employee at CW/ECW 1 (level d) will have:
(i) successfully completed, in accordance with RPL principles, a construction skills test equivalent to the required competency standards; or
(ii) successfully completed a relevant structured training program equivalent to the required competency standards; or
(iii) successfully completed an Engineering Construction Industry Skills Certificate Level 1 consisting of 16 appropriate modules; or formally recognised equivalent accredited training so as to enable the employee to perform work within the scope of this level; or
(iv) obtained skills equivalent to the above gained through work experience subject to competency testing to the prescribed standards:
CW/ECW 1 (level a) |
Upon commencement in the industry |
CW/ECW 1 (level b) |
After 3 months in the industry |
CW/ECW 1 (level c) |
After 12 months in the industry |
CW/ECW 1 (level d) |
Upon fulfilling the substantive requirements of Construction Worker 1/Engineering Construction Worker 1 as detailed above |
(b) An employee at the CW/ECW 1 (level d) performs work above and beyond the skills of an employee at CW/ECW 1 (level c) and to the level of their training and:
· is responsible for the quality of their own work subject to general supervision;
· works under general supervision either individually or in a team environment;
· exercises discretion within their level of skills and training;
· works in a safe manner;
· identifies basic faults in materials and equipment;
· interacts harmoniously with employees of other companies on-site;
· adapts to a changing work environment;
· communicates essential information; and
· works from instructions and procedures articulated in written, spoken and/or diagrammatic form.
(c) Skills and duties
(i) An employee at this level performs work to the extent of their skills, competence and training. Employees will acquire skills, both formal and informal over time and with experience, and will undertake indicative tasks and duties within the scope of skills they possess.
(ii) An employee at this level may be part of a self-directed WAT, and may be required to perform a range of duties across the skill streams contained within this award. An employee at this level:
· works from instructions and procedures;
· assists in the provision of on-the-job training to a limited degree;
· co-ordinates work in a team environment or works individually under general supervision;
· is responsible for assuring the quality of their own work;
· has a qualification in first aid.
(d) Indicative tasks which an employee at this level may perform include the following:
· uses precision measuring instruments;
· basic material handling functions;
· operate small plant and pneumatic machinery;
· inventory and store control;
· operate a range of hand tools and oxy welding equipment;
· has a knowledge of the construction process and understands the sequencing of construction functions;
· is able to provide first aid assistance to other employees;
· sheet metal soldering;
· tack welding;
· operation of mobile equipment including forklifts, hand trolleys, pallet trucks, overhead cranes and winch operation;
· ability to measure accurately;
· assists one or more tradespersons;
(e) The CW/ECW 1 classification incorporates the following broadbanded award classifications:
· Adult trainee terrazzo worker
· Aircon group 2
· Aircon group 3
· Aluminium alloy structural worker
· Assistant powder monkey
· Assistant rigger
· Bar bending machine operator
· Bitumen worker
· Builders’ labourer group 4
· Cable jointer
· Cement gun operator
· Chainperson
· Concrete cutting or drilling machine operator
· Concrete floater
· Concrete formwork stripper
· Concrete gang worker
· Concrete gun or pump operator
· Cook’s offsider, work boat driver
· Crane chaser
· Demolition labourer
· Dresser and grinder
· Drilling machine operator
· Dump cart operator
· Employee directly assisting a tradesperson
· Erector (wire mesh)
· Fencer
· Gantry hand or crane hand
· General hand
· Geotextile/geomembrane worker level 1
· Insulator
· Ironworker on construction
· Jackhammerman
· Kerb and gutter layer
· Lagger 1st assembler B
· Lagger 2nd 6 months
· Landscape labourer
· Linesperson
· Machinist (precast concrete manufacture)
· Machinist grade 1
· Mess attendant, camp attendant
· Mixer driver (concrete)
· Mobile concrete pump hoseperson or line hand
· Mobile crane driver
· Painter brush hand
· Pick or shovelman
· Plasterer, terrazzo or stonemason’s assistant
· Roof layer (malthoid or similar material)
· Sheetmetal worker 2nd class
· Spray painter
· Steel erector
· Stonemason assistant—factory (Queensland and Tasmania)
· Terrazzo assistant
· Tool/material storeman
· Tradesperson’s labourer
· Welder 2nd class
(f) An employee at this level may be undergoing training so as to qualify as a CW/ECW 1 (level d) or CW/ECW 2. Where possible, an employee at Levels 1 (level a), 1 (level b) and 1 (level c) will be provided with access to accredited structured training approved by the relevant Skills Council.
A.2.2 Construction worker level 2/Engineering construction worker level 2 (CW/ECW 2)
(a) A CW/ECW 2 works under limited supervision in one or more skill streams contained within this award. A CW/ECW 2 will:
(i) have completed in accordance with RPL principles a Construction Skills Test equivalent to the required competency standards; or
(ii) have completed relevant structured training equivalent to the required competency standards; or
(iii) successfully completed an Engineering Construction Industry Certificate Level 2 consisting of a total of 20 appropriate modules, or formally recognised equivalent accredited training so as to enable the employee to perform work within the scope of this level; or
(iv) obtained skills equivalent to the above gained through work experience subject to competency testing to the prescribed standard.
(b) Skills and duties
(i) An employee at this level performs work to the extent of their skills, competence and training. Employees will acquire skills both formal and informal over time and with experience, and will undertake indicative tasks and duties within the scope of skills they possess.
(ii) An employee at this level may be part of a self-directed WAT and may be responsible for the supervision of one or more employees working at CW/ECW 1 level.
(iii) An employee at this level:
· can interpret plans and drawings relevant to their functions;
· assists with the provision of on-the-job training;
· assumes responsibility for allocating tasks within a WAT within the area of the employee’s skill, competence and training;
· has some responsibility for the order and purchase of materials within defined parameters;
· is able to sequence functions relevant to the employee’s WAT;
· applies quality control techniques to the employee’s own work and other employees within the WAT;
· works from complex instructions and procedures;
· co-ordinates work in a team environment or works individually under general supervision;
· is responsible for assuring the quality of their work;
· works in a safe manner;
· exercises discretion within their level of training;
· understands the construction process in their sector and has a basic level of understanding of processes in other sectors;
· implements basic fault-finding and problem solving skills within the employee’s sphere of work;
· interacts harmoniously with employees of other companies on-site;
· anticipates and plans for changes to the work environment.
(c) Indicative tasks which an employee at this level may perform include the following:
· calculates safe loads and stress factors;
· measures accurately using specialised equipment;
· non-trades maintenance of relevant plant and equipment;
· anticipates and plans for constant changes to the work environment.
· materials handling;
· operates machinery and equipment requiring the exercise of skill and knowledge beyond that of an employee at CW/ECW 1 (level d);
· uses measuring and levelling instruments;
· performs basic quality checks on the work of others;
· oxy acetylene cutting.
(d) The CW/ECW 2 classification incorporates the following broadbanded award classifications:
· Aircon group 1
· Concrete batching plant operator
· Concrete finisher
· Employee operating power driven portable saw
· Forklift over 4500kg
· Foundation shaftsworker
· Geotextile/geomembrane worker level 2
· Hoist or winch driver
· Landscaper
· Manhole builder
· Pitcher or beacher
· Powder monkey
· Scaffolder
· Spotter
· Steelfixer
· Storeman
· Tack welder
· Tool sharpener
· Traffic controller
· Wall builder
(e) An employee at this level may be undergoing training so as to qualify as a CW/ECW 3.
A.2.3 Construction worker level 3/Engineering construction worker level 3 (Engineering construction tradesperson level 1) (CW/ECW 3)
(a) A CW/ECW 3 works individually or in a team environment in one or more skill streams contained within this award. A CW/ECW 3 will:
(i) have successfully completed a relevant trade apprenticeship or its AQF equivalent; or
(ii) have successfully completed, in accordance with RPL principles, a Construction Skills Test for this level; or
(iii) have successfully completed the required competency standards; or
(iv) have successfully completed an Engineering Construction Industry Certificate Level 3 consisting of a total of 24 appropriate modules or formally recognised equivalent accredited training so as to enable the employee to perform work within the scope of this level; or
(v) obtained skills equivalent to the above gained through work experience subject to competency testing to the prescribed standard,
any one of which will qualify the employee as a CW/ECW 3.
(b) Skills and duties
(i) An employee at this level performs work to the extent of their skills, competence and training. Employees will acquire skills both formal and informal over time and with experience, and will undertake indicative tasks and duties within the scope of skills they possess.
(ii) An employee at this level may be responsible for the supervision of one or more employees working at CW/ECW 1 or CW/ECW 2 level.
(iii) An employee at this level:
· understands and applies quality control techniques;
· exercises good interpersonal and communication skills;
· exercises measuring and calculation skills at a higher level than CW/ECW 2;
· exercises discretion within the scope of this grade;
· performs work of a trades or non-trades nature which is incidental or peripheral to the employee’s main function and facilitates the completion of the whole task;
· is able to inspect products and/or materials for conformity with established operational standards;
· assists in the provision of on-the-job training;
· understands and applies quality control techniques;
· exercises good interpersonal communication skills;
· exercises discretion within the scope of this grade;
· performs work under limited supervision either individually or in a team environment.
(c) Indicative tasks which an employee may perform at this level include the following:
· allocates functions within a WAT;
· production sequencing and materials handling of a level more advanced than CW/ECW 2;
· trade skills associated with certificated trades within the scope of this award;
· has a sound understanding of the construction process;
· specialised materials handling;
· operates machinery and equipment requiring the exercise of skill and knowledge beyond that of an employee at CW/ECW 2;
· performs work which is incidental or peripheral to the primary tasks and facilitates the completion of the whole task;
· sheetmetal fabrication;
· system assembly;
· welding and cutting;
· mechanical installation.
(d) The CW/ECW 3 classification incorporates the following broadbanded award classifications:
· Air compressor operator
· Air-conditioning tradesperson
· All winch driver
· Artificial stoneworker
· Battery fitter
· Bitumen sprayer
· Boilermaker and/or structural steel tradesperson
· Bricklayer
· Bridge and wharf carpenter
· Carpenter
· Caster
· Concrete finisher, powered
· Concrete spreader, powered
· Crawler tractor with power operated attachments (up to and including 2000kg shipping mass)
· Crusher operator aggregate (dimension stone quarries)
· Drainer
· Dumper, rear and bottom (up to and including 2 cubic metres struck capacity)
· Electric motor attendant
· Electrical fitter
· Electrical mechanic
· Fitter
· Fixer
· Floor layer specialist
· Floorsander
· Forklift driver
· Form setter
· Gardener
· Geotextile/geomembrane worker level 3
· Glazier
· Hand sprayer, lance type
· Joiner
· Locksmith
· Machinist
· Marble and slateworker
· Marker off
· Mobile concrete line pump operator
· Mobile hydraulic platform operator
· Motor mechanic
· Operator, drilling machine, up to and including 155 mm diameter
· Operator, pneumatic tyred tractor with power operated attachments (up to and including 15 kW net engine power)
· Operators of other cranes up to and including 5 ton
· Painter (including Artworker, Spraypainter, Shotblaster and Sandblaster)
· Paviour (including segmental paving)
· Pipe layer (any kind of pipes)
· Plant mechanic
· Plasterer
· Prefab tradesperson
· Qualified/trade cook
· Quarryworker (dimension stone quarries)
· Refrigeration mechanic
· Renderer in pipes, tunnels or covered drains
· Rigger
· Dogger
· Roller, vibrating (under 4 ton)
· Roof fixer
· Rooftiler (including Roof Slater)
· Second driver—Navvy and dragline or dredge-type excavator
· Serviceperson
· Sheetmetal worker 1st class
· Shophand
· Slate ridge or roof fixer
· Stonemason
· Tilelayer
· Timberperson
· Tradesperson (radio)
· Tradesperson (precast concrete manufacture)
· Tradesperson landscaper
· Trenching machine (small Ditch-Witch type)
· Welder 1st class
· Welder special class
(e) An employee at this level may be undergoing training so as to qualify as a CW/ECW 4.
A.2.4 Construction worker level 4/Engineering construction worker level 4 (Engineering construction tradesperson level II and Engineering construction technician level I) (CW/ECW 4)
(a) A CW/ECW 4 works in one or more skill streams contained within this award. A CW/ECW 4 will:
(i) have successfully completed the relevant structured training in addition to the requirements of CW/ECW 3; or
(ii) have successfully completed, in accordance with RPL principles, a Construction Skills Test equivalent to the requirements of this level;
any one of which will qualify the employee as a CW/ECW 4, or is an:
· Engineering construction tradesperson (electrical/ electronic) level II; or
· Engineering construction tradesperson (mechanical) level II; or
· Engineering construction tradesperson (fabrication) level II;
who has completed the following training requirements:
· 3 appropriate modules in addition to the training requirements of CW/ECW 3 level; or
· 3 appropriate modules towards an Advanced Certificate; or
· 3 appropriate modules towards an Associate Diploma; or
· any training which a registered provider (e.g. TAFE) or State training authority has recognised as equivalent to an accredited course which the appropriate industry training board recognises for this level. This can include advanced standing through recognition of prior learning and/or overseas qualifications; or
· will have skills equivalent to the above gained through work experience subject to competency testing to the prescribed standards; or
· tasks which an employee at this level may perform are subject to the employee having the appropriate Trade and Post Trade training to enable them to perform the particular tasks.
(b) Skills and duties
(i) An employee at this level performs work to the extent of their skills, competence and training. Employees will acquire skills both formal and informal over time and with experience, and will undertake indicative tasks and duties within the scope of skills they possess.
(ii) An employee at this level may be part of a self-directed WAT, and may be required to perform a range of duties across the skill streams contained within this award.
(iii) An employee at this level:
· exercises skills attained through satisfactory completion of the training/work experience prescribed for this classification;
· exercises discretion within the scope of this grade;
· works under limited supervision either individually or in a team environment;
· understands and implements quality control techniques;
· provides guidance and assistance as part of a work team;
· exercises advanced trades and non-trade skills relevant to the specific requirements of the industry or enterprise at a higher level than CW/ECW 3.
(c) Indicative tasks which an employee may perform at this level include the following:
· exercises precision trade and non-trade skills using various materials and specialised techniques at a higher level than CW/ECW 3;
· operates, and maintains plant and machinery;
· is able to plan construction sequencing.
(d) The CW/ECW 4 classification incorporates the following broadbanded award classifications:
· Bitumen sprayer (driver)
· Compactor—up to but not exceeding 48 kW (65 hp)
· Concrete paver
· Crawler loader (up to and including 15,000 kg mass)
· Crawler tractor not using power operated attachments above class 3
· Crawler tractor using power operated attachments class 3, 4, 5 and 6
· Dumper, rear and bottom (above 2 cubic metres, up to and including 30 cubic metres struck capacity)
· Electrician special class
· Excavator up to and including 0.5 cubic metre capacity
· Floating crane—up to and including 10 ton
· Forklift—up to but not exceeding 48 kW (65 hp)
· Geotextile/geomembrane worker level 4
· Grader, power operated below 35 kW brake power
· Inspector
· Instrument tradesperson complex systems
· Instrument tradesperson
· Joiner special class
· Joiner-setter out
· Letter cutter
· Loader, front end or overhead, up to and including 2.25 cubic metres
· Locomotive (not carrying passengers)
· Marker-setter out
· Mechanical tradesperson special class
· Mobile concrete boom pump operator
· Mobile crane—up to and including 10 ton
· Operator, tractor—up to but not exceeding 48 kW (65 hp)
· Operator, pneumatic tyred tractor—with power operated attachments (above 15 kW, up to and including 150 kW net engine power)
· Operator of mobile crane with lifting capacity in excess of 8 ton and not exceeding 15 ton
· Operator, drilling machine—over 155 mm to 230 mm diameter
· Other cranes—over 5 ton and not exceeding 15 ton road roller
· Shaft or trench sinker
· Pile driver
· Prefab setter
· Roadmarker operator
· Road roller (8 ton and above)
· Road roller, vibrating (4 ton and above)
· Scraper (up to and including 10 cubic metres struck capacity)
· Scraper, self-powered under 10 cubic metres struck capacity
· Signwriter
· Skid steer tractor—up to but not exceeding 48 kW (65 hp)
· Specialist landscaper tradesperson
· Track laying, fixing or levelling machine (railway construction)
· Trench machine (depth up to 2.4 metres, and width up to 450 mm) and bucket wheel trencher with equivalent capacity in cubic metres per hour
· Tunneller 2
· Winding and haulage driver
(e) Engineering Construction Technician Level I
An Engineering construction technician level I being an employee who has the equivalent level of training and/or experience to a CW/ECW 4 tradesperson in the technical fields as defined but is engaged in detail draughting or routine planning or technical tasks requiring technical knowledge.
(f) An employee at this level may be undergoing training so as to qualify as a CW/ECW 5.
A.2.5 Construction worker level 5/Engineering construction worker level 5 (Special class engineering construction tradesperson level I and Engineering construction technician level II) (CW/ECW 5)
(a) A CW/ECW 5 works in one or more skill streams contained within this award. A CW/ECW 5 will:
(i) have successfully completed the relevant structured training in addition to the requirements of CW/ECW 4; or
(ii) have successfully completed, in accordance with RPL principles, a Skills Test equivalent to the requirements,
either of which will qualify the employee for a CW/ECW 5; or a
· Special class engineering construction tradesperson (electrical/electronic) level I;
· Special class engineering construction tradesperson (mechanical) level I; or
· Special class engineering construction tradesperson (fabrication) level I;
who has completed the following training requirements:
· 6 appropriate modules in addition to the training requirements of CW/ECW 3 level; or
· 6 appropriate modules towards an Advanced Certificate; or
· 6 appropriate modules towards an Associate Diploma; or
· any training which a registered provider (e.g. TAFE) or State training authority has recognised as equivalent to an accredited course which the appropriate industry training board recognises for this level. This can include advanced standing through recognition of prior learning and/or overseas qualifications; or
· will have skills equivalent to the above gained through work experience subject to competency testing to the prescribed standards.
(b) Skills and duties
(i) An employee at this level performs work to the extent of their skills, competence and training. Employees will acquire skills both formal and informal over time and with experience, and will undertake indicative tasks and duties within the scope of skills they possess.
(ii) An employee at this level may be part of a self-directed WAT, and may be required to perform a range of duties across the skill streams contained in this award.
(iii) An employee at this level:
· exercises skills attained through satisfactory completion of the training/work experience prescribed for this classification;
· exercises discretion within the scope of this grade;
· provides trades guidance and assistance as part of a work team;
· assists in the provision of training in conjunction with supervisors and trainers;
· understand and implements quality control techniques;
· works under limited supervision either individually or in a team environment;
· assists in the provision of training in conjunction with supervisors.
(c) Indicative tasks which an employee may perform at this level include the following:
· exercises precision trade and/or operative skills using various materials and specialised techniques at a higher level than CW/ECW 4;
· operates, and maintains complex plant and machinery;
· is able to plan complex construction sequencing;
· performs operations on a Computer-Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) terminal in the performance of routine modifications to the Numeric Control/Computer Numeric Control (NC/CNC) programs;
· installs, repairs and maintains, tests, modifies, commissions and/or fault finds on complex machinery and equipment which utilises hydraulic and/or pneumatic principles and in the course of such work, is required to read and understand hydraulic and pneumatic circuitry which controls fluid power systems;
· works on complex or intricate circuitry which involves examining, diagnosing and modifying systems comprising inter-connected circuits.
(d) The CW/ECW 5 classification incorporates the following broadbanded award classifications:
· Carver
· Compactor—from 48 kW (65 hp),
· Crawler loader (above 15,000 kg mass, up to and including 60,000 kg mass)
· Crawler tractor using power operated attachments class 7, 8 and 9
· Dragline/shovel excavator—up to but not exceeding 3.0 metre capacity
· Dumper, rear and bottom (above 30 cubic metres, up to and including 120 cubic metres struck capacity)
· Dumper—up to but not exceeding 100 ton
· Excavator above 0.5 cubic metres
· Excavator—hydraulic telescopic boom type
· Floating crane—over 10 but not exceeding 100 ton
· Forklift—from 48 kW (65 hp) up to but not exceeding 220 kW (295 hp)
· Geotextile/geomembrane worker level 5
· Grader
· Grader—from 96 kW (130 hp) up to but not exceeding 148 kW (200 hp)
· Loader—front end and overhead, from 48 kW (65 hp) up to but not exceeding 370 kW (500 hp)
· Locomotive (carrying passengers)
· Mobile crane—over 10 but not exceeding 100 ton
· Operator, drilling machine, over 230 mm diameter
· Operator, pneumatic tyred loader (over 105 kW, up to and including 500 kW net engine power)
· Operator, pneumatic tyred tractor using power operated attachments in excess of 110 kW brake power
· Operator, tunnel boring machine; operator, tunnel excavating machine
· Other cranes—over 15 but not exceeding 100 ton
· Refractory bricklayer
· Scraper, self-powered over 10 cubic metres struck capacity
· Side boom/pipe layer—up to but not exceeding 220 kW (295 hp)
· Skid steer tractor—from 48 kW (65 hp)
· Special class trades
· Tractor—from 48 kW (65 hp) up to but not exceeding 370 kW (500 hp)
· Trainee dogger/crane hand (fixed cranes)
· Trenching machine (greater than 2.4 metres depth and 450 mm width) and bucketwheel trencher with equivalent capacity in cubic metres per hour
(e) Engineering Construction Technician Level II
An Engineering construction technician level II is an employee who has equivalent level of training and/or experience to an Engineering construction tradesperson special class level I but is engaged in detail draughting or planning or technical work which requires the exercise of judgment and skill in excess of that required of an employee at CW/ECW 4 under the supervision of technical staff.
(f) An employee at this level may be undergoing training so as to qualify as a CW/ECW 6.
A.2.6 Construction worker level 6/Engineering construction worker level 6 (Special class engineering construction tradesperson level II and Engineering construction technician level III ) (CW/ECW 6)
(a) A CW/ECW 6 works in one or more skill streams contained within this award. A CW/ECW 6 will:
(i) have successfully completed the relevant structured training in addition to the requirements of CW/ECW 6; or
(ii) have successfully completed, in accordance with RPL principles, a Construction Skills Test equivalent to the requirements of this level,
either of which will qualify the employee for a CW/ECW 6; or a
· Special class engineering construction tradesperson (electrical/ electronic) level II; or
· Special class engineering construction tradesperson (mechanical) level II; or
· Special class engineering construction tradesperson (fabrication) level II;
who has completed the following training requirements:
· 9 appropriate modules in addition to the requirements of CW/ECW 3 level; or
· 9 appropriate modules towards an Advanced Certificate; or
· 9 appropriate modules towards an Associate Diploma; or
· any training which a registered provider (e.g. TAFE) or State training authority has recognised as equivalent to an accredited course which the appropriate industry training board recognises for this level. This can include advanced standing through recognition of prior learning and/or overseas qualifications; or
· will have skills equivalent to the above gained through work experience subject to competency testing to the prescribed standards.
(b) Skills and duties
(i) An employee at this level performs work to the extent of their skills, competence and training. Employees will acquire skills both formal and informal over time and with experience, and will undertake indicative tasks and duties within the scope of skills they possess.
(ii) An employee at this level may be part of a self-directed WAT, and may be required to perform a range of duties across the skill streams contained within this award.
(iii) An employee at this level:
· exercises skills attained through satisfactory completion of the training/work experience prescribed for this classification;
· exercises discretion within the scope of this grade;
· provides trades guidance and assistance as part of a work team;
· provides training in conjunction with supervisors and trainers;
· works under limited supervision either individually or in a team environment;
· understands and implements quality control techniques.
(c) Indicative tasks which an employee may perform at this level include the following:
· operates plant and equipment at a higher level of skill than CW/ECW 5;
· exercises high precision trade and/or operative skills using various materials and specialised techniques at a higher level than CW/ECW 5;
· implements quality control techniques;
· plans complex construction sequencing;
· works on machines or equipment which utilise complex mechanic or hydraulic and/or pneumatic circuitry and controls or a combination thereof;
· works on machinery or equipment which utilises complex electrical/ electronic circuitry and controls;
· works on instruments which make up a complex control system which utilises some combination of electrical/electronic, mechanical or fluid power principles;
· applies advanced computer numerical control techniques in machining or cutting or welding or fabrication;
· exercises intermediate CAD/CAM skills in the performance of routine modifications to programs;
· works on complex or intricate interconnected electrical circuits at a level above CW/ECW 5;
· works on complex radio/communication equipment.
(d) The CW/ECW 6 classification incorporates the following broadbanded award classifications:
· Dumper—from 100 ton struck capacity
· Electronics tradesperson
· Instrumentation and control tradesperson
· Loader—front end and overhead, from 370 kW (500 hp) up to but not exceeding 450 kW (600 hp)
· Mobile crane with lifting capacity in excess of 100 ton and not exceeding 140 ton
· Operator (dragline/shovel excavator—from 3 cubic metres, side boom/pipe layer—from 220 kW (295 hp)
· Operator of mobile crane with lifting capacity in excess of 140 ton and not exceeding 180 ton
· Tractor—from 370 kW (500 hp) up to but not exceeding 450 kW (600 hp)
(e) Engineering Construction Technician Level III
An Engineering construction technician level III is an employee who has equivalent level of training and/or experience to an Engineering construction tradesperson special class level II but is engaged in one of the following areas:
· detail draughting or planning or technical duties requiring judgement and skill in excess of that required of a Technician at CW/ECW 5 level under the supervision of Technical Staff; or
· possesses a level of training and/or experience at CW/ECW 6 level and exercises cross skilling in technical fields as defined.
(f) An employee at this level may be undergoing training so as to qualify as a CW/ECW 7.
A.2.7 Construction worker level 7/Engineering construction worker level 7 (Special class engineering construction tradesperson level III) (CW/ECW 7)
(a) A CW/ECW 7 works in one or more skill streams contained within this award. A CW/ECW 7 will:
(i) have successfully completed the relevant structured training in addition to the requirements of CW/ECW 6; or
either of which will qualify the employee for a CW/ECW 7; or is a:
· Special class engineering construction tradesperson Level III; or
· Special class engineering construction tradesperson (electrical/ electronic) Level III; or
· Special class engineering construction tradesperson (mechanical) level III; or
· Special class engineering construction tradesperson (fabrication) level III;
who has completed:
· 10 1/2 appropriate modules of an Advanced Certificate; or
· 10 1/2 appropriate modules of an Associate Diploma; or
· 10 1/2 appropriate modules in addition to the requirements of ECW3
· any training which a registered provider (e.g. TAFE) or State training authority has recognised as equivalent to an accredited course which the appropriate industry training board recognises for this level. This can include advanced standing through recognition of prior learning and/or overseas qualifications; or
· will have skills equivalent to the above gained through work experience subject to competency testing to the prescribed standards.
(b) Skills and duties
(i) An employee at this level performs work to the extent of their skills, competence and training. Employees will acquire skills both formal and informal over time and with experience, and will undertake indicative tasks and duties within the scope of skills they possess.
(ii) An employee at this level may be part of a self-directed WAT and may be required to perform a range of duties across the skill streams contained within this award.
(iii) An employee at this level:
· exercises skills attained through satisfactory completion of the training prescribed for this classification;
· exercises discretion within the scope of this grade;
· provides training in conjunction with supervisors and trainers;
· understand and applies quality control techniques;
· prepares complex reports;
· contributes to the design of work, and the application of labour;
· assists in the supervision or organisation of WATs;
· is able to provide trade guidance and assistance as part of a work team; and
· works under limited supervision either individually or in a team environment.
(c) Indicative tasks which an employee may perform at this level include the following:
· works on plant and equipment at a higher level of skill than CW/ECW 6;
· exercises high precision trade and/or operative skills using various materials and specialised techniques at a higher level than CW/ECW 6;
· implements quality control techniques;
· plans complex construction sequencing;
· works on machines or equipment which utilise complex mechanic or hydraulic and/or pneumatic circuitry and controls or a combination thereof;
· works on machinery or equipment which utilises complex electrical/ electronic circuitry and controls;
· works on instruments which make up a complex control system which utilises some combination of electrical/electronic mechanical or fluid power principles;
· applies advanced computer numerical control techniques in machining or cutting or welding or fabrication;
· exercises intermediate CAD/CAM skills in the performance of routine modifications to programs;
· working on complex or intricate interconnected electrical circuits at a level above CW/ECW6;
· working on complex radio/communication equipment.
(d) The CW/ECW 7 classification incorporates the following broadbanded award classifications:
· Dogger-crane hand (fixed cranes)
· Mobile crane with lifting capacity in excess of 180 ton and not exceeding 220 ton
· Operator, tower crane driver, operator of tractor—from 450 kW (600 hp)
· Operator, mobile crane with lifting capacity in excess of 220 ton
· Sub-foreperson
(e) An employee at this level may be undergoing training so as to qualify as a CW/ECW 8.
A.2.8 Construction worker level 8/Engineering construction worker level 8 (Advanced engineering construction tradesperson level I and Engineering construction technician level IV) (CW/ECW 8)
(a) A CW/ECW 8 works in one or more skill streams contained within this award. A CW/ECW 8 will:
(i) have successfully completed the relevant structured training in addition to the requirements of CW/ECW 7; or
(ii) have successfully completed, in accordance with RPL principles, a Construction Skills Test equivalent to the requirements of this level,
either of which will qualify the employee for a CW/ECW 8; or is an
· Advanced engineering construction tradesperson (electrical/electronic) level I; or
· Advanced engineering construction tradesperson (mechanical) level I; or
· Advanced engineering construction tradesperson (fabrication) level I;
who has completed:
· 12 appropriate modules of an Advanced Certificate; or
· 12 appropriate modules of an Associate Diploma; or
· 12 appropriate modules in addition to the requirements of CW/ECW 3; or
· any training which a registered provider (e.g. TAFE) or State training authority has recognised as equivalent to an accredited course which the appropriate industry training board recognises for this level. This can include advanced standing through recognition of prior learning and/or overseas qualifications; or
· will have skills equivalent to the above gained through work experience subject to competency testing to the prescribed standards.
(b) Skills and duties
(i) An employee at this level performs work to the extent of their skills, competence and training. Employees will acquire skills both formal and informal over time and with experience, and will undertake indicative tasks and duties within the scope of skills they possess.
(ii) An employee at this level may be part of a self-directed WAT, and may be required to perform a range of duties across the 3 skill streams contained within this award.
(iii) An employee at this level:
· exercises skills attained through satisfactory completion of the training prescribed for this classification;
· exercises discretion within the scope of this grade;
· designs training programs in conjunction with relevant supervisors and trainers;
· understands and applies quality control techniques;
· prepares complex reports;
· contributes to the design of work and the application of labour;
· undertakes quality control and work organisation at a level higher than for CW/ECW7;
· provides trade guidance and assistance as part of a work team;
· assists in the provision of training to employees in conjunction with supervisors/trainers;
· performs maintenance planning and predictive maintenance work not in Technical Fields;
· works under limited supervision either individually or in a team environment;
· prepares reports of a technical nature on specific tasks or assignments as directed;
· exercises broad discretion within the scope of this level.
(c) Indicative tasks which an employee may perform at this level include the following:
· works on plant and equipment at a higher level of skill than CW/ECW 7;
· exercises high precision trade and/or operative skills using various materials and specialised techniques at a higher level than CW/ECW 7;
· implements quality control programs;
· plans complex construction sequencing;
· works on combinations of machines or equipment which utilises complex electrical or electronic, mechanical or fluid power principles;
· works on instruments which make up a complex control system which utilises some combination of electrical, electronic, mechanical or fluid power principles and electronic circuitry containing complex analogue and/or digital control systems utilising integrated circuitry;
· applies computer integrated manufacturing techniques involving a higher level of computer operating and programming skills than for CW/ECW 7;
· works on various forms of machinery and equipment which are electronically controlled by complex digital and/or analogue control systems using integrated circuitry.
(d) The CW/ECW 8 classification incorporates the following broadbanded award classifications:
· Carpenter-diver
· Foreperson (as defined)
(e) Engineering Construction Technician Level IV
Engineering Construction Technician level IV means an employee who has equivalent level of training and skills to an Advanced engineering construction tradesperson level II but is engaged in one of the following areas to the extent of that training:
· detail draughting involving originality of thought which requires the exercise of judgment and skill in excess of that required of an Engineering construction technician at CW/ECW 7 level under the supervision of Technical and/or Professional staff; or
· is engaged in planning or technical duties requiring judgment and skill in excess of that required of a Technician at CW/ECW 7 level under the supervision of Technical and/or Professional staff; or
· exercises a level of cross skilling in technical fields.
A.2.9 Engineering construction worker level 9 (Advanced engineering construction tradesperson level II and Engineering construction technician level V) (ECW 9)
(a) An Advanced engineering construction tradesperson level II is an:
· Advanced engineering construction tradesperson (electrical/electronic) level II; or
· Advanced engineering construction tradesperson (mechanical) level II; or
· Advanced engineering construction tradesperson (fabrication) level II;
who has completed:
· an Advanced Certificate; or
· 15 appropriate modules of an Associate Diploma; or
· 15 appropriate modules in addition to the requirements of CW/ECW 3; or
· any training which a registered provider (e.g. TAFE) or by a State training authority has been recognised as equivalent to an accredited course which the appropriate industry training board recognises for this level. This can include advanced standing through recognition of prior learning and/or overseas qualifications; or
· will have skills equivalent to the above gained through work experience subject to competency testing to the prescribed standards.
(b) An Advanced engineering construction tradesperson level II works above and beyond a Tradesperson at CW/ECW 8 and to the level of their training:
· provides technical guidance or advice within the scope of this level;
· prepares reports of a technical nature on specific tasks or assignment as directed or within the scope of discretion at this level;
· has an overall knowledge and understanding of the operating principle of the systems and equipment on which the tradesperson is required to carry out their task;
· assists in the provision of on-the-job training in conjunction with supervisors and trainers.
(c) Indicative tasks which an employee may perform at this level, subject to the employee having the appropriate Trade and Post Trade Training to enable the employee to perform them, are:
· through a systems approach able to exercise high level diagnostic skills on complex forms of machinery, equipment or instruments which utilise some combination of electrical, electronic, mechanical or fluid power principles;
· set up, commission, maintain and operate sophisticated maintenance, production and test equipment and/or systems involving the application of computer operating skills at a higher level than a CW/ECW8;
· works on various forms of machinery and equipment electronically controlled by complex digital and/or analogue control systems using integrated circuitry;
· works on complex electronics or instruments or communications equipment or control systems which utilise electronic principles and electronic circuitry containing complex analogue and/or digital control systems using integrated circuitry.
(d) Engineering Construction Technician Level V
An Engineering construction technician level V has the level of training and skills to an Advanced engineering construction tradesperson level II but is engaged in one of the following areas:
· undertakes draughting or planning which requires the exercise of judgment and skill in excess of that required of an Engineering technician level IV at CW/ECW 8; or
· exercises a level of cross skilling in technical fields as defined, consistent with the training and experience at this grade.
A.3.1 General
In determining the appropriate classification of a position or job to be filled by an employee, an employer will pay full regard to:
(a) the nature and skill requirements of the position to be filled;
(b) the skill level and certification of the employee;
(c) the experience and qualifications of the employee in:
(i) relevant indicative tasks nominated in clauses A.2.1(d), A.2.2(c), A.2.3(c), A.2.4(c), A.2.5(c), A.2.6(c), A.2.7(c) and A.2.8(c); and/or
(ii) competency standards against which an employee is accredited;
(d) any agreed national procedures established for testing the validity of an employee’s claim for reclassification.
A.3.2 Classification/reclassification in the engineering stream
(b) In the event that there is a claim for reclassification by an existing employee to a higher level under the new structure on the grounds that the employee possesses equivalent skill and knowledge gained through on-the-job experience, the following principles apply:
(i) the dispute resolution provisions in 39—Dispute resolution will be followed;
(ii) competency standards will be established through the appropriate Industry Training Boards, co-ordinated by MSA and for the lift industry the Ee-Oz. Such standards will be consistent with the requirements of the National Training Framework Committee for relevant levels in the new classification structure before claims for reclassification at that level are processed;
(iii) procedures will be established for testing the validity of an employee’s claim for reclassification.
(c) Where skill standards have not been finalised in respect of any class of work and they are necessary for determining an employee’s classification, employees performing such work will not be reclassified until such standards are available except as provided for in clauses A.3.2(a) and A.3.2(d) of this Schedule.
(d) Where the situation described in clause A.3.2(c) applies, but not in any other circumstances, an employee may be reclassified on the basis that the employee meets the requirements of the old classification definitions in the National Metal and Engineering On-site Construction Industry Award 2002.
A.4 Skill based career structure
A.4.1 The classification structure is designed to facilitate the improvement of the level of skills of the workforce and to provide a career path for all employees.
A.4.2 Each classification level builds upon the previous level so that the value of an employee to the industry and their employer increases as the employee progresses through the structure. Skills are built up in a sequential manner through job learnt skills and structured training.
A.4.3 Under the new classification structure, an employee’s building and construction industry skills are to be formally recognised, industry wide, at all levels from new entrant to CW/ECW 8–ECW 9. Employees will move up the classification structure as they acquire additional accredited skills. Payment will be on the basis of the level of skills required to perform the work of a particular position or job offered by an employer.
In order to facilitate the operation of the classification structure an employer must, in co-operation with the consultative committee develop a training programme consistent with:
(a) the size, structure and scope of the activities of the employer;
(b) the need to develop vocational skills relevant to the enterprise and the building and construction industry generally through courses conducted by accredited educational institutions and providers.
(c) Where, as a result of consultation in accordance with clause A.5 it is agreed that additional training should be undertaken by the employee, that training may be taken either on or off the job. Provided that if the training is undertaken during normal working hours the employee concerned will not suffer any loss of pay. The employer must not unreasonably withhold such paid training leave.
(d) Any costs associated with standard fees for prescribed course and prescribed textbooks (excluding those textbooks which are contained in the employers technical library) incurred in connection with the undertaking of training pursuant to clause A.5(c) will be reimbursed by the employer upon the production of evidence of such expenditure. Provided that reimbursement will be subject to the presentation of reports of satisfactory progress.
(e) Travel costs incurred by an employee undertaking training in accordance with clause A.5 which exceed those normally incurred travelling to and from work will be reimbursed by the employer.
A.6 Definitions of classifications in Schedule A
The broadbanded award classifications referred to in clause A.2 of this Schedule will have the meaning ascribed to them by an award made under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) or a notional agreement preserving a State award that would have applied to an employee immediately prior to 1 January 2010; or a Division 2B State award that would have applied to the employee immediately prior to 1 January 2011.
Schedule B—Summary of Monetary Allowances
[Varied by PR729275, PR729462, PR740696, PR740868, PR750770, PR762129, PR762292, PR773904, PR774073]
See clauses 19—Minimum rates, 21—Expense-related allowances, 22—Industry allowances, 23—Other allowances, 25—Living away from home—distant work, 26—Travelling time entitlements and 42—Lift industry for full details of allowances payable under this award.
B.1.1 Weekly wage-related allowances
[B.1.1 varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
The following wage-related allowances are based on the standard rate as defined in clause 2—Definitions as the weekly minimum rate as stated for a Level 3 (CW/ECW 3) employee in clause 19.1= $1032.30.
Allowance |
Clause |
% of weekly standard rate |
$ |
Payable |
Industry allowances |
|
|
|
|
General building and construction industry allowance* |
22.1(a) |
6.0 |
61.94 |
per week |
Civil construction industry allowance* |
22.1(a) |
6.0 |
61.94 |
per week |
Metal and engineering construction industry allowance* |
22.1(a) |
6.0 |
61.94 |
per week |
Residential building and construction industry* |
22.1(b) |
4.8 |
49.55 |
per week |
All sectors |
|
|
|
|
Mobile cranes capacity adjustment formula (Level 5 (CW/EW5) and above) |
19.5 |
2.4 |
24.78 |
per week for each additional 40 tonnes over max limit |
Underground allowance (other than Operator classification)* |
23.2(a) |
1.8 |
18.58 |
per week |
Underground allowance—no more than 4 days/shifts in ordinary week |
23.2(b) |
0.4 |
4.13 |
per day or shift |
First aid allowance—minimum qualifications |
23.6(b)(i) |
0.36 |
3.72 |
per day |
First aid allowance—higher first aid certificate |
23.6(b)(ii) |
0.57 |
5.88 |
per day |
Air-conditioning industry and refrigeration industry allowances |
23.7 |
7.9 |
81.55 |
per week |
Electrician's licence allowance* |
23.8(a) |
3.2 |
33.03 |
per week |
In charge of plant allowance |
23.9(b) |
4.7 |
48.52 |
per week |
Lift industry |
|
|
|
|
Lift industry allowance* |
42.2(a) |
14.8 |
152.78 |
per week |
*This allowance applies for all purposes of the award.
B.1.2 Hourly wage-related allowances
[B.1.2 varied by PR729275, PR740696, PR762129, PR773904 ppc 01Jul24]
The following wage-related allowances are based on the standard rate as defined in clause 2—Definitions as the hourly minimum rate as stated for a Level 3 (CW/ECW 3) employee in clause 19.1= $27.17.
Allowance |
Clause |
% of hourly standard rate |
$ |
Payable |
All sectors |
|
|
|
|
Multistorey allowance—structure without regular storey levels—work above 15 metres |
23.3(d) |
3.2 |
0.87 |
per hour |
Multistorey allowance—structure without regular storey levels—work above each additional 15 metres |
23.3(d) |
3.2 |
0.87 |
per hour for each additional 15 metres |
Multistorey allowance—commencement of building to 15th floor level |
23.3(e)(i) |
2.6 |
0.71 |
per hour |
Multistorey allowance—16th to 30th floor level—where structural or reinforcing steel, boxing or walls rise above 16th floor |
23.3(e)(i) |
3.1 |
0.84 |
per hour |
Multistorey allowance—31st to 45th floor level—where structural or reinforcing steel, boxing or walls rise above 31st floor |
23.3(e)(i) |
4.8 |
1.30 |
per hour |
Multistorey allowance—46th to 60th floor level—where structural or reinforcing steel, boxing or walls rise above 46th floor |
23.3(e)(i) |
6.2 |
1.68 |
per hour |
Multistorey allowance—61st floor level onward—where structural or reinforcing steel, boxing or walls rise above 61st floor |
23.3(e)(i) |
7.6 |
2.06 |
per hour |
Multistorey allowance—service core—work more than 15 metres above main structure |
23.3(f)(i) |
3.2 |
0.87 |
per hour |
Multistorey allowance—service core—work above each additional 15 metres |
23.3(f)(i) |
3.2 |
0.87 |
per hour for each additional 15 metres |
Laser safety officer allowance |
23.4(c) |
13.4 |
3.64 |
per day or part thereof |
Carpenter-diver allowance1 |
23.5 |
4.5 |
1.22 |
per hour |
General building and construction sector |
|
|
|
|
Computing quantities allowance |
23.10(b)(i) |
23.3 |
6.33 |
per day or part thereof |
Scaffolding or rigging certificate allowance |
23.10(c) |
3.2 |
0.87 |
per hour |
1 This allowance applies for all purposes of the award.
B.1.3 Automatic adjustment of wage–related allowances
[B.1.3 renamed and substituted by PR750770 ppc 15Mar23]
The amount of each wage-related allowance is the percentage of the standard rate specified for the allowance and will automatically adjust to reflect the specified percentage when the standard rate is varied.
B.2 Expense-related allowances
[B.2.1 varied by PR729462, PR740868, PR762292, PR774073 ppc 01Jul24]
B.2.1 The following expense-related allowances will be payable to employees in accordance with clauses 21—Expense-related allowances, 25—Living away from home—distant work and 26—Travelling time entitlements:
Allowance |
Clause |
$ |
Payable |
Tool allowance—artificial stoneworker, carpenter and/or joiner, carpenter-diver, carver, bridge and wharf carpenter, floor sander, letter cutter, marble and slate worker, stonemason or tilelayer* |
21.1(a) |
38.67 |
per week |
Tool allowance—caster, fixer, floorlayer specialist or plasterer* |
21.1(a) |
31.99 |
per week |
Tool allowance—refractory bricklayer or bricklayer* |
21.1(a) |
27.45 |
per week |
Tool allowance—roof tiler, slate-ridger or roof fixer, tradespersons in the metals and engineering construction sector* |
21.1(a) |
20.25 |
per week |
Tool allowance—signwriter, painter or glazier* |
21.1(a) |
9.28 |
per week |
Meal allowance—all employees—overtime of at least one and a half hours |
21.2(a) |
18.51 |
per meal |
Meal allowance—operator employee—after completion of each 4 hours’ overtime |
21.2(c) |
18.51 |
per meal |
Compensation for clothes and tools |
21.3(b) |
2242 |
maximum |
Living away from home allowance—Distant work—Entitlement |
25.3(a)(i) |
100.22 |
per day |
Camping allowance—per complete week |
25.4(b) |
251.44 |
per week |
Camping allowance—broken parts of the week |
25.4(b) |
35.88 |
per day |
Meal allowance—forward journey |
25.6(a)(i) |
18.51 |
per meal |
Return journey—additional for daily hire employees |
25.6(b)(i) |
26.21 |
per journey |
Weekend return home |
25.6(e)(i) |
44.41 |
per occasion |
Fares and travel pattern allowance |
26.1(a) |
21.94 |
per day |
Travelling between construction sites—employee’s own vehicle |
26.2(b)(ii) |
0.98 |
per km |
Distant work—employee’s own vehicle |
26.4(b)(ii) |
0.59 |
per km |
*This allowance applies for all purposes of the award.
B.2.2 Adjustment of expense-related allowances
(a) At the time of any adjustment to the standard rate, each expense-related allowance will be increased by the relevant adjustment factor. The relevant adjustment factor for this purpose is the percentage movement in the applicable index figure most recently published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics since the allowance was last adjusted.
Allowance |
Applicable Consumer Price Index figure |
Tools and protective or other clothing or equipment allowance |
All groups |
Compensation for clothes and tools |
All groups |
Meal allowance |
Meals out and take away foods sub-group |
Living away from home—distant work |
Domestic holiday travel and accommodation sub-group |
Camping |
Average of Food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing and transport groups |
Fares and travel patterns allowance |
Transport group |
Weekend return home |
Transport group |
Transport and transporting tools |
Transport group |
B.3.1 Daily hire employees ––Follow the job loading
Daily hire employees are entitled to a follow the job loading in accordance with clause 19.3(a).
B.3.2 Leading hands
A person appointed as a leading hand must be paid an allowance in accordance with clause 19.2.
Schedule C—School-based Apprentices
C.1 This schedule applies to school-based apprentices. A school-based apprentice is a person who is undertaking an apprenticeship in accordance with this schedule while also undertaking a course of secondary education.
C.2 A school-based apprenticeship may be undertaken in the trades covered by this award under a training agreement or contract of training for an apprentice declared or recognised by the relevant State or Territory authority.
C.4 For the purposes of clause C.3, where an apprentice is a full-time school student, the time spent in off-the-job training for which the apprentice must be paid is 25% of the actual hours worked each week on-the-job. The wages paid for training time may be averaged over the semester or year.
C.5 A school-based apprentice must be allowed, over the duration of the apprenticeship, the same amount of time to attend off-the-job training as an equivalent full-time apprentice.
C.6 For the purposes of this schedule, off-the-job training is structured training delivered by a Registered Training Organisation separate from normal work duties or general supervised practice undertaken on the job.
C.7 The duration of the apprenticeship must be as specified in the training agreement or contract for each apprentice but must not exceed 6 years.
C.8 School-based apprentices progress through the relevant wage scale at the rate of 12 months progression for each 2 years of employment as an apprentice or at the rate of competency based progression where provided for in this award.
C.9 The apprentice wage scales are based on a standard full-time apprenticeship of 4 years (unless the apprenticeship is of 3 years duration) or stages of competency based progression where provided for in this award. The rate of progression reflects the average rate of skill acquisition expected from the typical combination of work and training for a school-based apprentice undertaking the applicable apprenticeship.
C.10 If an apprentice converts from school-based to full-time, the successful completion of competencies (where provided for in this award) and all time spent as a full-time apprentice will count for the purposes of progression through the relevant wage scale in addition to the progression achieved as a school-based apprentice.
C.11 School-based apprentices are entitled pro rata to all of the other conditions in this award.
Schedule D—National Training Wage
[Varied by PR729275, PR740696; substituted by PR745634 ppc 01Nov22; varied by PR762129, PR773904]
D.1 Definitions
D.1.1 In this schedule:
approved training, in relation to a trainee, means the training specified in the training contract of the trainee.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) means the national framework for qualifications in post-compulsory education and training.
relevant State or Territory training authority means a body in the relevant State or Territory that has power to approve traineeships, and to register training contracts, under the relevant State or Territory vocational education and training legislation.
relevant State or Territory vocational education and training legislation means the following or any successor legislation:
Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 (NSW);
Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic);
Training and Skills Development Act 2008 (SA);
Training and Skills Development Act 2016 (NT);
Training and Tertiary Education Act 2003 (ACT);
Training and Workforce Development Act 2013 (Tas);
Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 (WA);
Further Education and Training Act 2014 (Qld).
trainee means an employee undertaking a traineeship under a training contract.
traineeship means a system of training that:
(a) has been approved by the relevant State or Territory training authority; and
(b) meets the requirements of a training package developed by the relevant Skills Service Organisation and endorsed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee; and
(c) leads to an AQF certificate level qualification.
training contract means an agreement for a traineeship made between an employer and an employee that is registered by the relevant State or Territory training authority.
training package means the competency standards and associated assessment guidelines for an AQF certificate level qualification that have been endorsed for an industry or enterprise by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee.
wage level A or B, see clause D.4.
D.2 Coverage
D.2.1 Subject to clauses D.2.2 to D.2.5, this schedule applies to an employee covered by this award who is undertaking a traineeship and whose training package and AQF certificate level are allocated to a wage level by clause D.6.
D.2.3 This schedule does not apply to:
(a) the apprenticeship system; or
(b) qualifications not identified in training packages; or
(c) qualifications in training packages that are not identified as appropriate for a traineeship.
D.2.5 This schedule ceases to apply to an employee at the end of the traineeship.
D.3 Types of traineeship
D.3.1 The following types of traineeship are available:
D.3.2 A full-time traineeship based on 38 ordinary hours per week, with 20% of those hours being approved training;
D.3.3 A part-time traineeship based on fewer than 38 ordinary hours per week, with 20% of those hours being approved training provided:
(a) wholly on the job; or
(b) partly on the job and partly off the job; or
(c) wholly off the job.
[D.4 substituted by PR762129 ppc 01Jul23; varied by PR773904 ppc01Jul24]
D.4.1 Minimum weekly rates for full-time traineeships
(a) Civil construction traineeships
The minimum weekly rate payable to civil construction trainees, including trainees undertaking a civil construction traineeship from the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package, will be as follows:
Item |
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
Base rate |
805.46 |
847.26 |
897.36 |
Industry allowance—civil construction industry |
61.94 |
61.94 |
61.94 |
Total weekly rate |
867.40 |
909.20 |
959.30 |
(b) Other traineeships
(i) Rates of pay for trainees in the general building and construction industry and the metal and engineering construction industry will be as follows:
Item |
Wage level B |
Wage level A |
|
$ |
$ |
Base rate |
718.76 |
736.76 |
Industry allowance |
61.94 |
61.94 |
Weekly rate |
780.70 |
798.70 |
(ii) Rates of pay for trainees in the residential building and construction industry will be as follows:
Item |
Wage level B |
Wage level A |
|
$ |
$ |
Base rate |
718.76 |
736.76 |
Industry allowance |
49.55 |
49.55 |
Weekly rate |
768.31 |
786.31 |
(iii) All other disability and expense-related allowances provided for in this award will be payable to trainees from time to time, if applicable, but no other allowances will apply.
(c) AQF Certificate Level IV traineeships
The minimum rate for a full-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level IV traineeship is the minimum rate for the relevant AQF Certificate Level III traineeship (as set out in clause D.4.1) increased by 3.8%.
D.4.2 Minimum hourly rates for part-time traineeships
The minimum hourly rate for a part-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level I-III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate levels are allocated to wage level A by clause D.6.1 is the relevant weekly rate from clause D.4.1 divided by 30.4.
NOTE: See clause D.4.2(e) for calculating the actual minimum wage. See also clause D.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause D.4.2(a).
The minimum hourly rate for a part-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate levels are allocated to wage level B by clause D.6.2 is the relevant weekly rate from clause D.4.1 divided by 30.4.
NOTE: See clause D.4.2(e) for calculating the actual minimum wage. See also clause D.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause D.4.2(b).
The minimum hourly rate for a part-time trainee who works ordinary hours and is undertaking a school-based AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate levels are allocated to wage levels A or B by clause D.6 is the hourly rate in column 1 or 2 of Table 1—Minimum hourly rate for part-time trainees (school-based AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship) according to the year of schooling of the trainee.
Table 1—Minimum hourly rate for part-time trainees (school-based AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship)
Column 1 Year 11 or lower |
Column 2 Year 12 |
per hour |
per hour |
$13.11 |
$14.44 |
NOTE: See clause D.4.2(e) for calculating the actual minimum wage. See also clause D.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause D.4.2(c).
(d) AQF Certificate Level IV traineeships
The minimum hourly rate for a part-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level IV traineeship is the minimum hourly rate for the relevant AQF Certificate Level III traineeship (as calculated by clause D.4.2(a), D.4.2(b) or D.4.2(c)) increased by 3.8%.
NOTE: See clause D.4.2(e) for calculating the actual minimum wage. See also clause D.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause D.4.2(d).
(e) Calculating the actual minimum wage
(i) If fewer than 38 (or an average of 38) ordinary hours of work per week is considered full-time at the workplace by the employer, the appropriate minimum hourly rate for a part-time trainee is obtained by multiplying the relevant minimum hourly rate in clauses D.4.2(a) to D.4.2(d) by 38 and then dividing the figure obtained by the full-time ordinary hours of work per week.
(ii) If the approved training for a part-time traineeship is provided wholly off-the-job by a registered training organisation, for example at school or at TAFE, the relevant minimum hourly rate in clauses D.4.2(a) to D.4.2(d) applies to each ordinary hour worked by the trainee.
(iii) If the approved training for a part-time traineeship is undertaken solely on-the-job or partly on-the-job and partly off-the-job, the relevant minimum hourly rate in clauses D.4.2(a) to D.4.2(d) minus 20% applies to each ordinary hour worked by the trainee.
D.4.3 Other minimum wage provisions
(a) Clause D.4.3 applies despite anything to the contrary in clause D.4.2.
(c) For the purpose of determining whether a trainee has suffered a reduction as mentioned in clause D.4.3(b), casual loadings are to be disregarded.
D.4.4 Default wage rate
The minimum wage for a trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate level are not allocated to a wage level by clause D.6 is the relevant minimum wage under this schedule for a trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate to Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate level are allocated to wage level B.
D.5 Employment conditions
D.5.1 A trainee undertaking a school-based traineeship may agree to be paid an additional loading of 25% on all ordinary hours worked instead of being paid annual leave, paid personal/carer’s leave, paid compassionate leave and paid absence on public holidays. However, if the trainee works on a public holiday, the public holiday provisions of this award apply.
D.5.2 A trainee is entitled to be released from work without loss of pay and without loss of continuity of employment to attend any training and assessment specified in, or associated with, the training contract.
D.5.4 The time to be included for the purpose of calculating the wages for part‑time trainees whose approved training is wholly off-the-job is determined by clauses D.4.2(e)(ii) and D.4.2(e)(iii) and not by clause D.5.3.
D.5.5 Subject to clause D.2.4, this award applies to a trainee in the same way that it applies to an employee who is not a trainee, except as otherwise expressly provided by this schedule.
D.6 Allocation of traineeships to wage levels
D.6.1 The wage levels applying to training packages and their AQF certificate levels are:
Training package |
AQF certificate level |
Construction, Plumbing and Services Integrated Framework |
I, II, III |
Electrotechnology |
I, II, III |
Manufacturing |
III |
Manufacturing and Engineering |
III |
Metal and Engineering (Technical) |
III |
MSL Laboratory Operations |
II, III |
National Water |
III |
Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package |
II, III |
Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector |
II, III |
Transport and Logistics |
III |
D.6.3 Wage level B
Training package |
AQF certificate level |
Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation and Land Management |
II, III |
Furnishing |
II, III |
National Water |
II |
Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package |
I |
Transport and Logistics |
I, II |
Schedule E—Agreement for time off instead of payment for overtime
Link to PDF copy of Agreement for Time Off Instead of Payment for Overtime.
Name of employee: _____________________________________________
Name of employer: _____________________________________________
The employer and employee agree that the employee may take time off instead of being paid for the following amount of overtime that has been worked by the employee:
Date and time overtime started: ___/___/20___ ____ am/pm
Date and time overtime ended: ___/___/20___ ____ am/pm
Amount of overtime worked: _______ hours and ______ minutes
The employer and employee further agree that, if requested by the employee at any time, the employer must pay the employee for overtime covered by this agreement but not taken as time off. Payment must be made at the overtime rate applying to the overtime when worked and must be made in the next pay period following the request.
Signature of employee: ________________________________________
Date signed: ___/___/20___
Name of employer
representative: ________________________________________
Signature of employer
representative: ________________________________________
Date signed: ___/___/20___
Schedule F—Agreement to Take Annual Leave in Advance
Link to PDF copy of Agreement to Take Annual Leave in Advance.
Name of employee: _____________________________________________
Name of employer: _____________________________________________
The employer and employee agree that the employee will take a period of paid annual leave before the employee has accrued an entitlement to the leave:
The amount of leave to be taken in advance is: ____ hours/days
The leave in advance will commence on: ___/___/20___
Signature of employee: ________________________________________
Date signed: ___/___/20___
Name of employer representative: ________________________________________
Signature of employer representative: ________________________________________
Date signed: ___/___/20___
[If the employee is under 18 years of age - include:] I agree that: if, on termination of the employee’s employment, the employee has not accrued an entitlement to all of a period of paid annual leave already taken under this agreement, then the employer may deduct from any money due to the employee on termination an amount equal to the amount that was paid to the employee in respect of any part of the period of annual leave taken in advance to which an entitlement has not been accrued. Name of parent/guardian: ________________________________________ Signature of parent/guardian: ________________________________________ Date signed: ___/___/20___ |
Schedule G—Agreement to Cash Out Annual Leave
Link to PDF copy of Agreement to Cash Out Annual Leave.
Name of employee: _____________________________________________
Name of employer: _____________________________________________
The employer and employee agree to the employee cashing out a particular amount of the employee’s accrued paid annual leave:
The amount of leave to be cashed out is: ____ hours/days
The payment to be made to the employee for the leave is: $_______ subject to deduction of income tax/after deduction of income tax (strike out where not applicable)
The payment will be made to the employee on: ___/___/20___
Signature of employee: ________________________________________
Date signed: ___/___/20___
Name of employer representative: ________________________________________
Signature of employer representative: ________________________________________
Date signed: ___/___/20___
Include if the employee is under 18 years of age:
Name of parent/guardian: ________________________________________ Signature of parent/guardian: ________________________________________ Date signed: ___/___/20___ |
[Schedule H—Part-day Public Holidays deleted by PR747560 ppc 14Nov22]
[Schedule X—Additional Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic varied by PR728080, PR736911; deleted by PR746868 ppc 17Oct22]
Modern award and related determinations on the Find My Award tool or otherwise on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website display content taken from the Fair Work Commission’s website. The Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman take care to ensure that modern award and related determination copies are accurate at the time of publication but do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of the information displayed by the Find My Award tool or otherwise on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website or resources.
Any data extracts must be read in conjunction with the provisions in the modern award. These copies and extracts are not a substitute for independent professional advice and users should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.