MA000062

Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award 2020

 

This Fair Work Commission consolidated modern award incorporates all amendments up to and including 27 August 2024 (PR777292 and PR778030).

Clause(s) affected by the most recent variation(s):

2—Definitions

11—Casual employees

13A—Employee right to disconnect

33—Dispute resolution

 

Table of Contents

[Varied by PR716597, PR747372, PR750490, PR774774, PR778030]

Part 1— Application and Operation of this Award. 4

1. Title and commencement 4

2. Definitions. 4

3. The National Employment Standards and this award. 6

4. Coverage. 6

5. Individual flexibility arrangements. 9

6. Requests for flexible working arrangements. 10

7. Facilitative provisions. 11

Part 2— Types of Employment and Classifications. 11

8. Types of employment 11

9. Full-time employees. 11

10. Part-time employees. 12

11. Casual employees. 12

12. Classifications. 13

Part 3— Hours of Work. 13

13. Ordinary hours of work. 13

13A. Employee right to disconnect 14

14. Rostering arrangements. 16

15. Breaks. 16

Part 4— Wages and Allowances. 18

16. Minimum rates. 18

17. Payment of wages. 23

18. Annualised wage arrangements. 24

19. Composite rate instead of award provisions. 25

20. Allowances. 26

21. Accident pay. 29

22. Superannuation. 31

Part 5— Overtime and Penalty Rates. 31

23. Overtime. 31

24. Penalty rates. 35

Part 6— Leave and Public Holidays. 37

25. Annual leave. 37

26. Personal/carer’s leave and compassionate leave. 43

27. Parental leave and related entitlements. 43

28. Community service leave. 43

29. Family and domestic violence leave. 43

30. Public holidays. 44

Part 7— Workplace Delegates, Consultation and Dispute Resolution. 44

30A. Workplace delegates’ rights. 44

31. Consultation about major workplace change. 48

32. Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work. 49

33. Dispute resolution. 49

Part 8— Termination of employment and Redundancy. 51

34. Termination of employment 51

35. Redundancy. 52

Schedule A —Classification and Structure. 54

Schedule B —Summary of Hourly Rates of Pay. 59

Schedule C —Summary of Monetary Allowances. 66

Schedule D —School-based Apprenticeships. 68

Schedule E —Supported Wage System.. 70

Schedule F —Agreement for Time Off Instead of Payment for Overtime. 74

Schedule G —Agreement to Take Annual Leave in Advance. 75

Schedule H —Agreement to Cash Out Annual Leave. 77


Part 1—Application and Operation of this Award

1.                      Title and commencement

1.1                   This award is the Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award 2020.

1.2                   This modern award commenced operation on 1 January 2010. The terms of the award have been varied since that date.

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.

2.                      Definitions

[Varied by PR733883, PR774774, PR777292]

In this award, unless the contrary intention appears:

Act means the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

adult apprentice means an apprentice who is 21 years of age or over at the commencement of their apprenticeship.

afternoon shift means any shift finishing after 7.00 pm and at or before midnight.

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, loadings or payment while they are on annual leave (see clause 20.2(a)).

base rate of pay has the meaning given by the NES.

[Definition of casual employee inserted by PR733883 from 27Sep21; varied by PR777292 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 shiftworker means an employee engaged in an enterprise in which shifts are continuously rostered 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and who is rostered regularly to work those shifts and works regularly on Sundays and public holidays.

cycle work means a roster made up of a predetermined number of working days (on duty period) and non-working days (off-duty period) over a period (work cycle).

day shift means any shift finishing after noon and at or before 7.00 pm.

default fund employee means an employee who has no chosen fund within the meaning of the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth).

defined benefit member has the meaning given by the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth).

employee means national system employee within the meaning of the Act.

[Definition of employee organisation inserted by PR774774 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 PR774774 from 01Jul24]

enterprise has the meaning given by section 12 of the Act.

hydrocarbons means hydrocarbon or other products extracted from oil and gas fields, or other hydrocarbon products extracted from the earth, whether in solid, liquid or gas form, including without limitation gas, butane and methane, crude oil or condensate but excluding coal.

hydrocarbons industry has the meaning given in clause 4.2.

minimum weekly rate means the minimum weekly rate of pay in clause 16—Minimum rates.

NES means the National Employment Standards as contained in sections 59 to 131 of the Act.

night shift means any shift finishing after midnight and at or before noon.

ordinary hourly rate means the hourly rate for the employee’s classification specified in clause 16Minimum rates, inclusive of 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.

permanent night shift means when an employee who:

(a)          during a period of engagement on shiftwork works night shift only; or

(b)         remains on night shift for a longer period than 4 consecutive weeks; or

(c)          works on a night shift that does not rotate or alternate with another shift or with day work so as to give him or her at least one third of their working time off in each shift cycle.

[Definition of regular casual employee inserted by PR733883 from 27Sep21]

regular casual employee has the meaning given by section 12 of the Act.

remote work means work required to be performed in any location that is operated by the employer at a remote location, including but not limited to sites operating on a fly in/fly out, drive in/drive out or bus in/bus out basis.

shiftworker means an employee for the time being required by the employer to work in a system of shifts, being day shifts, afternoon shifts, night shifts or any combination of them; or a continuous shiftworker.

[Definition of small business employer inserted by PR774774 from 01Jul24]

small business employer has the meaning given by section 23 of the Act.

standard rate means the minimum weekly rate for a Level 3 employee in clause 16—Minimum rates.

work cycle means a roster cycle made up of working and non-working days.

[Definition of workplace delegate inserted by PR774774 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 this 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.

4.                      Coverage

[Varied by PR743434]

4.1                   This industry award covers employers throughout Australia in the hydrocarbons industry and their employees in the classifications listed in Schedule A—Classification and Structure to the exclusion of any other modern award.

4.2                   Hydrocarbons industry means:

(a)          the exploration and/or drilling for hydrocarbons by use of on and offshore drilling rigs or platform drilling rigs or any other means;

(b)         the preparatory work and development of an oil or gas field, including well servicing, and decommissioning of hydrocarbon facilities;

(c)          the extraction, separation, production and processing, piping, storage, distribution and transport (including handling or loading facilities) of hydrocarbons;

(d)         the provision of services incidental to the activities set out in clauses 4.2(a) to (c) above, including:

(i)            provision of clerical and administrative, warehousing, stores and materials, medical, laboratory, utility or general services, or platform services at a location where the activities in clauses 4.2(a) to (c) above are being performed;

(ii)          provision of catering, cleaning and accommodation services where owned or operated by an employer engaged in the activities set out in clauses 4.2(a) to (c) above at a location where the activities in clauses 4.2(a) to (c) above are being performed;

(iii)        provision of supply base services owned or operated by an employer engaged in the activities set out in clauses 4.2(a) to (c) above;

(e)          the commissioning, servicing, maintaining (including mechanical, electrical, fabricating or engineering and preparatory work) modification, upgrading or repairing of facilities, plant and/or equipment used in the activities set out above by employees principally employed to perform work on an ongoing basis at a location where the activities described above are being performed; or

(f)           the provision of temporary labour services used in the activities set out in 4.2(a) to (e) above, by temporary labour personnel principally engaged to perform work at a location where the activities described above are being performed.

4.3                   This award does not cover employers in respect of their operation or activities in the following industries or occupations:

(a)          employees principally engaged as maritime officers, maritime engineers, ratings and catering crew on any vessel used in offshore hydrocarbon operations (including but not limited to any propelled or non-propelled vessel used in navigation, construction or drilling, ship, barge, drilling vessel, rig, crane vessel, floating production facility, tug boat, support vessel, supply vessel, stand-by/emergency vessel, pipe laying vessel, diving support vessel, lighter or like vessels);

(b)         refining hydrocarbons including crude oil, petroleum and petro-chemical products and manufacture of hydrocarbon-based products;

(c)          transportation, storage, distribution, marketing and sale of products produced in clause 4.3(b) or finished hydrocarbons products, including operations at bulk liquid terminals, refineries, airports and depots;

(d)         information technology professionals, professional engineers, geologists and scientists;

(e)          security, catering, cleaning and accommodation services (unless employed by an employer engaged in the hydrocarbons industry or related company); or

(f)           aviation industry.

[4.4 varied by PR743434 ppc 11Jul22]

4.4                   This award does not cover employers in respect of their operations or activities covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, except for work covered by clause 4.2.

4.5                   This award covers employers which provide group training services for apprentices and/or trainees engaged in the hydrocarbons 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 in clauses 4.1 and 4.2 are being performed. Clause 4.5 operates subject to the exclusions from coverage in this award.

4.6                   This award does not cover:

(a)          employees 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.

4.7                   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

(d)         allowances; 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

(b)         signed by the employer and the employee and, if the employee is under 18 years of age, by the employee’s parent or guardian.

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

(b)         by the employer or employee giving 13 weeks’ written notice to the other party (reduced to 4 weeks if the agreement was entered into before the first full pay period starting on or after 4 December 2013).

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

[6 substituted by PR763267 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 33—Dispute resolution and/or under section 65B of the Act.

7.                      Facilitative provisions

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 the majority of employees in the enterprise or part of the enterprise concerned.

7.2                   Facilitative provisions in this award are contained in the following clauses:

(a)          clause 13.2(b)—Spread of hours;

(b)         clause 13.4(e)—Special arrangements for cycle work;

(c)          clause 14.1(a)—Notice period for roster variation;

(d)         clause 15.3(c)—Scheduling of breaks;

(e)          clause 23.5—Time off instead of payment for overtime

(f)           clause 23.7(b)—Rest breaks during overtime;

(g)          clause 25.11—Taking of annual leave over an extended period;

(h)         clause 25.12—Annual leave in advance;

(i)            clause 25.13—Cashing out of annual leave; and

(j)           clauses 30.3 and 30.4—Substitution of public holidays.

Part 2—Types of Employment and Classifications

8.            Types of employment

8.1                   Employees under this award will be employed in one of the following categories:

(a)          full-time;

(b)         part-time; or

(c)          casual.

9.                      Full-time employees

A full-time employee is engaged to work an average of 38 ordinary hours per week.

10.                 Part-time employees

10.1               A part-time employee is an employee who:

(a)          is engaged to work an average of less than 38 ordinary hours per week; and

(b)         receives, on a pro rata basis, equivalent pay and conditions to those of full-time employees who do the same kind of work.

10.2               A part-time employee must be paid the ordinary hourly rate for each ordinary hour worked at the rate in clause 16Minimum rates for the classification in which they are employed.

10.3               The employer must inform a part-time employee of their ordinary hours of work and starting and finishing times for each day.

11.                 Casual employees

[Varied by PR723912, PR733883, PR777292]

[11.1 deleted by PR733883 from 27Sep21]

[11.2 renumbered as 11.1 by PR733883 from 27Sep21]

11.1               A casual employee’s ordinary hours of work are the lesser of:

(a)          an average of 38 hours per week; or

(b)         the average hours the employee is required to work by the employer per week over the work cycle.

11.2               Casual loading

[11.3 renumbered as 11.2 by PR733883 from 27Sep21]

[11.2(a) substituted by PR723912 ppc 20Nov20]

(a)          For each ordinary hour worked, a casual employee must be paid no less than:

(i)            the ordinary hourly rate for the classification in which they are employed in clause 16—Minimum rates; and

(ii)          a loading of 25% of the ordinary hourly rate.

(b)         The casual loading is paid instead of annual leave, paid personal/carer’s leave, notice of termination, redundancy benefits and other entitlements of full-time or part-time employment.

11.3               Payment for working overtime

[New 11.4 inserted by PR723912 ppc 20Nov20; 11.4 renumbered as 11.3 by PR733883 from 27Sep21]

When a casual employee works overtime, they must be paid the overtime rates in clause 23.3.

11.4               Minimum engagement for casual employees

[11.4 renumbered as 11.5 by PR723912, 11.5 renumbered as 11.4 by PR733883 from 27Sep21]

The minimum engagement for a casual employee is one day.

11.5               Changes to casual employment status

[11.5 renumbered as 11.6 by PR723912; 11.6 renumbered as 11.5 and renamed and substituted by PR733883 from 27Sep21; renamed and substituted by PR777292 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 33—Dispute resolution.

12.                 Classifications

A description of the classifications under this award is set out in Schedule A—Classification and Structure.

Part 3—Hours of Work

13.                 Ordinary hours of work

13.1               Ordinary hours of work—all employees

(a)          The ordinary hours of work for a full-time employee will be an average of 38 hours per week.

(b)         The ordinary hours of work for part-time and casual employees will be in accordance with clauses 10—Part-time employees and 11—Casual employees.

(c)          Maximum weekly hours

(i)            Clause 13.1(c) of the award provides industry specific detail and supplements the NES which deals with maximum weekly hours.

(ii)          For the purposes of the NES an employee’s weekly hours may be averaged over a period of up to 26 weeks.

13.2               Employees other than shiftworkers

(a)          Employees, other than shiftworkers, may be required to work up to 12 ordinary hours per day, within the spread of hours of 6.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Sunday.

(b)         An employer may agree with an individual employee or a majority of affected employees to alter the spread of hours in clause 13.2(a) provided that employees, other than shiftworkers, are not required to work more than 12 ordinary hours per day.

13.3               Shiftworkers

(a)          Shiftworkers may be required to work a shift of up to 12 consecutive ordinary hours (including meal breaks).

(b)         Employees may be required to change shifts or change between day work and shiftwork, or shiftwork and day work.

(c)          An employee may be required to commence to perform or cease to perform shiftwork upon one week’s notice.

13.4               Special arrangements for cycle work

(a)          Regardless of any other provision of this award, the employer may require an employee to work on a work cycle.

(b)         A work cycle is made up of working and non-working days.

(c)          The total ordinary hours of work during a work cycle must not exceed 38 hours multiplied by the total number of working (on-duty period) and non-working (off-duty period) days in the cycle divided by 7.

(d)         The on-duty period of a work cycle commences at the commencement of work at the workplace. The off-duty period of a work cycle commences at the departure time from the workplace.

(e)          Employees may be required to work up to 12 consecutive ordinary hours (including meal breaks), provided that the number of days in a cycle on which ordinary time may be worked on on-duty days must not exceed the number of days in the cycle multiplied by 0.714, unless otherwise agreed between the employer and the employee.

13A. Employee right to disconnect

[13A inserted by PR778030 from 26Aug24]

13A.1 Clause 13A 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.

13A.2 Clause 13A 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.

13A.3 An employer must not directly or indirectly prevent an employee from exercising their right to disconnect under the Act.

13A.4 Clause 13A.3 does not prevent an employer from requiring an employee to monitor, read or respond to contact, or attempted contact, from the employer outside of the employee’s working hours where:

(a)          the employee is required to be on stand-by under clause 20.3(b); and

(b)         the employer’s contact is to notify the employee that they are required to attend or perform work or give other notice about the stand-by.

13A.5 Clause 13A.3 does not prevent an employer from contacting, or attempting to contact, an employee outside of the employee’s working hours in circumstances including to notify them of:

(a)          an emergency roster change under clause 14.1(f); or

(b)         a recall to work under clause 23.2(d) or 23.3(d).

14.                 Rostering arrangements

14.1               Rosters

(a)          Subject to clause 13.3(c) an employer may vary an employee’s days of work or start and finish times to meet the needs of the business by giving at least 48 hours’ notice, or a shorter period as agreed to by the employer and an individual employee.

(b)         Employees may be required to perform reasonable handover work to ensure continuity of operations.

(c)          An employee who is not relieved as scheduled at the end of a shift, must continue working until relieved or authorised by the employer to finish work. Authorisation must not be unreasonably withheld.

(d)         Where an employee is required to work during a period which would normally be a part of their non-working days, the employee:

(i)            will be paid as though each day on which they are required to work was a normal on-duty day, and will be allowed an additional off-duty day to be taken at a time mutually agreed between the employer and employee for each day worked; or

(ii)          the additional work on non-working days in clause 14.1(d) may be paid at overtime rates at the employer’s discretion.

(e)          The employer must consult with directly affected employees about any changes made under clause 14.1 in accordance with clause 14.1.

(f)           Emergency arrangements

In the case of an emergency an employer may vary or suspend any roster arrangement immediately, regardless of anything contained elsewhere in clause 14.1(f).

15.                 Breaks

15.1               Unpaid meal breaks—employees other than shiftworkers

An employee other than a shiftworker will be entitled to an unpaid meal break of not less than 30 minutes after every 5 hours worked.

15.2               Paid meal breaks—shiftworkers

(a)          A shiftworker working 10 hours or less will be entitled to a paid meal break of 20 minutes per shift.

(b)         A shiftworker working for longer than 10 hours will be entitled to paid meal breaks totalling 40 minutes per shift.

15.3               Scheduling of breaks

(a)          Breaks will be scheduled by the employee’s supervisor based upon operational requirements so as to ensure continuity of operations.

(b)         An employer will not require an employee to work more than 5 hours before the first meal break is taken, or between subsequent meal breaks if any.

(c)          An employer and an individual employee may agree to vary the time for taking of the breaks set out in clause 15.3 to suit their individual requirements, provided that:

(i)            the break time taken by the employee is not reduced; and

(ii)          the employer is not required to make any payment in excess of or less than what would otherwise be required under clause 15.3.

15.4               Minimum break between work on successive days or shifts

(a)          Employees other than shiftworkers

(i)            When overtime work is necessary it must, wherever reasonably practicable, be arranged so that employees have at least 10 consecutive hours off work between work on successive working days.

(ii)          An employee who works so much overtime between the termination of ordinary work on one day and the commencement of ordinary work on the next day that the employee has not had at least 10 consecutive hours off work between those times must be released after completion of the overtime until the employee has had 10 consecutive hours off work without loss of pay for ordinary working time occurring during the absence.

(iii)        If on the instructions of the employer an employee resumes or continues work without having had the 10 consecutive hours off work, the employee must be paid at the relevant overtime rate until released from work for that period. The employee is then entitled to be absent until they have had 10 consecutive hours off work without loss of pay for ordinary working time occurring during the absence.

(b)         Shiftworkers

Clauses 15.4(a)(i) to (iii) apply to shiftworkers as if the required period of consecutive hours off work is 8 hours.

15.5               Breaks during overtime

Breaks during overtime are provided in accordance with clause 23.7.

Part 4—Wages and Allowances

16.                 Minimum rates

[Varied by PR720159, PR718880, PR729320, PR733883, PR740745, PR762171, PR767894, PR773948]

16.1               Adult rates

[16.1 varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

An employer must pay adult employees the following minimum rates for ordinary hours worked by the employee:

Employee classification

Minimum weekly rate

(full-time employee)

Minimum hourly rate

$

$

Entry Level—Introductory

922.60

24.28

Level 1—Basic

966.00

25.42

Level 2—Intermediate

1001.80

26.36

Level 3—Competent

1032.30

27.17

Level 4—Advanced

1101.30

28.98

Level 5—Advanced Specialist

1173.00

30.87

Level 6—Dual Trade

1230.50

32.38

Level 7—Dual Trade Instrument Technician

1280.40

33.69

NOTE: See Schedule B—Summary of Hourly Rates of Pay for a summary of hourly rates of pay, including overtime and penalty rates.

16.2               Junior rates

[16.2 varied by PR767894 ppc 31Dec23]

A junior employee will be entitled to the percentage of the applicable adult weekly rate (in the case of part-time or casual employees the hourly rate) for their classification as set out in the table below:

Age

% of the adult rate

Under 17 years

75

At 17 years

85

At 18 years

100

16.3               Apprentice rates

(a)          An employer must pay an apprentice who commenced work with the employer before 1 January 2014 the following percentage of the applicable adult weekly rate for their classification.

Year of apprenticeship

% of the adult rate

1st year

45

2nd year

55

3rd year

75

4th year

88

(b)         An employer must pay an apprentice who commenced work with the employer on or after 1 January 2014 the following percentage of the Level 3 rate in clause 16.1:

(i)            From the first pay period commencing on or after 1 January 2015:

Year of apprenticeship

% of the adult weekly wage for apprentices who have not completed Year 12

% of the adult weekly wage for apprentices who have completed Year 12

1st year

50

55

2nd year

60

65

3rd year

75

75

4th year

88

88

(c)          Adult apprentice rates

(i)            Adult apprentices who commenced on or after 1 January 2014 and are in the first year of their apprenticeship will be entitled to 80% of the Level 3 rate in clause 16.1, or the rate prescribed by clause 16.3(b) for the relevant year of the apprenticeship, whichever is the greater.

(ii)          The minimum rate for an adult apprentice who commenced on or after 1 January 2014 and is in the second and subsequent years of their apprenticeship will be paid the rate for the lowest adult classification in clause 16.1, or the rate prescribed by clause 16.3(b) for the relevant year of the apprenticeship, whichever is the greater.

[16.3(c)(iii) varied by PR733883 from 27Sep21]

(iii)        A person employed by an employer under this award immediately prior to entering into a training agreement as an adult apprentice with that employer must not suffer a reduction in their minimum wage by virtue of entering into the training agreement, provided that the person has been an employee in that enterprise for at least 6 months as a full-time employee or 12 months as a part-time or regular casual employee immediately prior to commencing the apprenticeship. For the purpose only of fixing a minimum wage, the adult apprentice must continue to receive the minimum wage that applies to the classification specified in clause 16.1 in which the adult apprentice was engaged immediately prior to entering into the training agreement.

(d)         Except as provided in clause 16.3 or where otherwise stated, all conditions of employment specified in this award apply to apprentices.

(e)          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 16.3(e) will not apply where the apprentice could attend an alternative Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and the use of the more distant RTO is not agreed between the employer and the apprentice.

(f)           For the purposes of clause 16.3(e) above, excess reasonable travel costs include the total costs of reasonable transportation (including transportation of tools where required), accommodation costs incurred while travelling (where necessary) and reasonable expenses incurred while travelling, including meals, which exceed those incurred in travelling to and from work. For the purposes of clause 16.3(e), excess travel costs do not include payment for travelling time or expenses incurred while not travelling to and from block release training.

(g)          The amount payable by an employer under clause 16.3(e) 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.

(h)         All training fees charged by an RTO for prescribed courses and the cost of all prescribed textbooks (excluding those textbooks which are available in the employer’s technical library) for the apprenticeship, which are paid by an apprentice, shall be reimbursed by the employer within 6 months of the commencement of the apprenticeship or the relevant stage of the apprenticeship, or within 3 months of the commencement of the training provided by the RTO, whichever is the later, unless there is unsatisfactory progress.

(i)            An employer may meet its obligations under clause 16.3(h) by paying any fees and/or cost of textbooks directly to the RTO.

(j)           An apprentice is entitled to be released from work without loss of continuity of employment and to payment of the appropriate wages to attend any training and assessment specified in, or associated with, the training contract.

(k)         Time spent by an apprentice in attending any training and/or 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 16.3 operates subject to the provisions of Schedule D—School-based Apprenticeships.

(l)            No apprentice will, except in an emergency, work or be required to work overtime or shiftwork at times which would prevent their attendance at training consistent with their training contract.

16.4               School-based apprentices

For school-based apprentices, see Schedule D—School-based Apprenticeships.

16.5               Higher duties

An employee who is engaged for 3 hours or more per day or per shift (excluding meal breaks and rest breaks) on duties carrying a higher rate of pay than the employee’s ordinary classification must, except where the employee is engaged in training, be paid at the higher rate of pay for that day or that shift.

16.6               Supported wage system

For employees who because of the effects of a disability are eligible for a supported wage, see Schedule E—Supported Wage System

16.7               National training wage

[16.7(a) varied by PR720159 ppc 18Jun20]

(a)          Schedule E to the Miscellaneous Award 2020 sets out minimum wage rates and conditions for employees undertaking traineeships.

[16.7(b) varied by PR720159 ppc 18Jun20, PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

(b)         This award incorporates the terms of Schedule E to the Miscellaneous Award 2020 as at 1 July 2024. Provided that any reference to “this award” in Schedule E to the Miscellaneous Award 2020 is to be read as referring to the Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award 2020 and not the Miscellaneous Award 2020.

16.8               Storms and cyclones

(a)          In the event of storm, cyclone or other conditions which prevent the safe performance of work on a drilling rig, platform or at a facility, the employer may demobilise, reassign or stand down affected employees.

(b)         In the event of a stand-down under clause 16.8 an employee will continue to be paid their minimum rate of pay for their ordinary hours in accordance with clause 16—Minimum rates for up to 5 working days.

17.                 Payment of wages

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.

17.1               Wages will be paid (including penalties and allowances) at a frequency of not longer than monthly by electronic funds transfer into the employee’s bank or a recognised financial institution nominated by the employee.

17.2               An employer may deduct from any amount required to be paid to an employee under clause 16.8 the amount of any overpayment of wages or allowances.

17.3               Payment on termination of employment

(a)          The employer must pay an employee no later than 7 days after the day on which the employee’s employment terminates:

(i)            the employee’s wages under this award for any complete or incomplete pay period up to the end of the day of termination; and

(ii)          all other amounts that are due to the employee under this award and the NES.

(b)         The requirement to pay wages and other amounts under clause 17.3(a) is subject to further order of the Commission and 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:  Clause 17.3(b) allows the Commission to make an order delaying the requirement to make a payment under clause 17.3. For example, the Commission could make an order delaying the requirement to pay redundancy pay if an employer makes an application under section 120 of the Act for the Commission to reduce the amount of redundancy pay an employee is entitled to under the NES.

NOTE 3: 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.

18.                 Annualised wage arrangements

[18—Annualised salary renamend and substituted by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20]

18.1               Annualised wage instead of award provisions

[18.1(a) corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20]

(a)          An employer may pay a full-time employee an annualised wage in satisfaction, subject to clause 18.1(c), of any or all of the following provisions of the award:

(i)            clause 16—Minimum rates;

(ii)          clause 20—Allowances;

(iii)        clause 23—Overtime;

(iv)        clause 24—Penalty rates; and

(v)          clause 25.5(b)—annual leave loading only.

(b)         Where an annualised wage is paid the employer must advise the employee in writing, and keep a record of:

(i)            the annualised wage that is payable;

(ii)          which of the provisions of this award will be satisfied by payment of the annualised wage;

(iii)        the method by which the annualised wage has been calculated, including specification of each separate component of the annualised wage and any overtime or penalty assumptions used in the calculation; and

(iv)        the outer limit number of ordinary hours which would attract the payment of a penalty rate under the award and the outer limit number of overtime hours which the employee may be required to work in a pay period or roster cycle without being entitled to an amount in excess of the annualised wage in accordance with clause 18.1(c).

(c)          If in a pay period or roster cycle an employee works any hours in excess of either of the outer limit amounts specified pursuant to clause 18.1(b)(iv), such hours will not be covered by the annualised wage and must separately be paid for in accordance with the applicable provisions of this award.

18.2               Annualised wage not to disadvantage employees

(a)          The annualised wage must be no less than the amount the employee would have received under this award for the work performed over the year for which the wage is paid (or if the employment ceases earlier over such lesser period as has been worked).

(b)         The employer must each 12 months from the commencement of the annualised wage arrangement or upon the termination of employment of the employee calculate the amount of remuneration that would have been payable to the employee under the provisions of this award over the relevant period and compare it to the amount of the annualised wage actually paid to the employee. Where the latter amount is less than the former amount, the employer shall pay the employee the amount of the shortfall within 14 days.

(c)          The employer must keep a record of the starting and finishing times of work, and any unpaid breaks taken, of each employee subject to an annualised wage arrangement for the purpose of undertaking the comparison required by clause 18.2(b). This record must be signed by the employee, or acknowledged as correct in writing (including by electronic means) by the employee, each pay period or roster cycle.

18.3               Base rate of pay for employees on annualised wage arrangements 

For the purposes of the NES, the base rate of pay of an employee receiving an annualised wage under this clause comprises the portion of the annualised wage equivalent to the relevant rate of pay in clause 16—Minimum rates and excludes any incentive-based payments, bonuses, loadings, monetary allowances, overtime and penalties.

19.                 Composite rate instead of award provisions

[18.2 renumbered as 19 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20]

19.1               Composite rate provisions apply only to employees who are required to perform drilling (as part of prospecting or exploration) prospecting and exploration duties.

19.2               Where an employee is paid on a daily basis, an employer may pay an employee a composite daily rate instead of any or all of the following provisions of the award:

(a)          clause 16—Minimum rates;

(b)         clause 20—Allowances;

(c)          clause 23—Overtime

(d)         clause 24Penalty rates; and

(e)          clause 25.5(b)—annual leave loading only.

19.3               Where a composite daily rate is paid the employer must advise the employee in writing the composite rate that is payable and what provisions of this award do not apply because of the composite rate arrangement.

19.4               Composite daily rate not to disadvantage employees

(a)          The composite daily rate must be no less than the amount the employee would have been entitled to receive under the relevant wage rates, penalties, allowances and loadings prescribed by this award over the period of engagement for which the composite rate is paid.

(b)         The composite daily rate is paid in full satisfaction of any obligation to otherwise make payments to the employee for the provisions that will not apply under this award instead of the composite rate and may be relied upon to set off any such obligation, whether of a different character or not.

19.5               Base rate of pay for employees on composite daily rate arrangements

For the purposes of the NES, the base rate of pay of an employee receiving a composite daily rate under clause 19.5 comprises the portion of the composite daily rate equivalent to the relevant minimum daily rate of pay in clause 16—Minimum rates and excludes any incentive-based payments, bonuses, loadings, monetary allowances, overtime and penalties and any other separately identifiable amounts incorporated into the composite rate.

20.                 Allowances

[19 renumbered as 20 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20; varied by PR718880, PR719033, PR729320, PR729505, PR740745, PR740911, PR762171, PR762338, PR773948, PR774117]

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               Payment of allowances

(a)          Employers must pay to an employee the allowances the employee is entitled to under clause 20.

(b)         Where an employee is paid by the hour, the allowance will be 1/38th of the weekly allowance for each hour worked.

NOTE: See Schedule C—Summary of Monetary Allowances for a summary of monetary allowances and method of adjustment.

20.2               Wage-related allowances

(a)          All-purpose allowances

Allowances paid for all purposes are included in the rate of pay of an employee who is entitled to the allowance, when calculating any penalties, loadings or payment while they are on annual leave. The following allowances are paid for all purposes under this award:

(i)            Industry allowance (clause 20.2(b)); and

(ii)          Licence allowance—electricians (clause 20.2(c)).

(b)         Industry allowance

[20.2(b)(i) varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

(i)            Employees will be paid an all-purpose industry allowance of $61.53 per week.

(ii)          The industry allowance recognises and is in payment for all aspects of work in the industry, including but not limited to the location and nature of hydrocarbons operations, dislocation, clothing, boiler cleaning, dirt, wet, height, fumes, heat, cold, confined space, and all other disabilities not expressly dealt with under clause 20.2.

(c)          Licence allowance—electricians

[20.2(c) varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

An employee who is required by their employer to hold an Electrical Technicians licence (or equivalent) will be paid an all-purpose allowance of $29.83 per week.

(d)         Leading hand allowance

[20.2(d) varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

Leading hands must be paid a weekly allowance of:

Leading hands in charge of:

$ per week

3–10 employees

29.32

11–20 employees

46.35

More than 20 employees

58.63

(e)          Living away from home allowance

(i)            The following allowance only applies to employees required to undertake remote work.

[20.2(e)(ii) varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

(ii)          Where an employer requires an employee to live away from their normal place of residence, the employer will paid an allowance of $61.94 per day or part of the day the employee is living away.

(iii)        This allowance is paid in compensation for isolation, the types of amenities and facilities available at the remote workplace and sharing accommodation.

20.3               Expense-related allowances

(a)          Meal allowance for overtime work

[20.3(a) varied by PR719033, PR729505, PR740911, PR762338, PR774117 ppc 01Jul24]

An employee will be paid a meal allowance of $20.63 on each occasion that the employee is entitled to a rest break during overtime work, provided that an allowance is not required to be paid if the employer:

(i)            provides a meal or meal-making facilities;

(ii)          notified the employee no later than the previous day or shift that the employee would be required to work the overtime; or

(iii)        the employee is entitled to receive a living away from home allowance.

(b)         Stand-by allowance

Where the employer requires an employee to be on stand-by at a place away from the employee’s home, the employer must:

(i)            reimburse the employee for the cost of reasonable board and accommodation; or

(ii)          provide reasonable board and accommodation within a reasonable distance of the place where the employee is required to be on stand-by.

(c)          Tool allowance

[20.3(c) varied by PR719033, PR729505, PR740911, PR762338, PR774117 ppc 01Jul24]

An employee who is required by the employer to supply and maintain tools ordinarily required in the performance of work will be paid an allowance of $17.86 per week.

20.4               Point of assembly—remote work

(a)          Where an employer requires an employee to undertake remote work, the employer will nominate an assembly point in a centre of population where normal amenities are available, and either:

(i)            provide transport; or

(ii)          reimburse the employee for the cost of transport

between the nominated assembly point and the workplace, and return.

(b)         The minimum rates of pay set out in clause 16—Minimum rates include compensation for 4 hours of travelling time at the beginning and the end of each work cycle.

(c)          Where, under normal circumstances, travelling time between a nominated assembly point and a workplace exceeds 4 hours at a given location, the employer will pay travelling time at the employee’s ordinary rate of pay for their classification under clause 16—Minimum rates for the period in excess of 4 hours up to a maximum of 12 hours for any one journey.

(d)         If an employee is dismissed at the workplace, the employer will either provide transport or reimburse the employee for the cost of transportation from the workplace to the designated assembly point.

21.                 Accident pay

[20 renumbered as 21 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20]

21.1               For the purposes of clause 21, the following definitions will apply:

(a)          Accident pay means a weekly payment made to an employee by the employer that is the difference between the weekly amount of compensation paid to an employee pursuant to the applicable workers’ compensation legislation and the weekly amount that would have been received had the employee been on paid personal leave at the date of the injury (not including over award payments) provided the latter amount is greater than the former amount.

(b)         Injury will be given the same meaning and application as applying under the applicable workers’ compensation legislation covering the employer.

21.2               Entitlement to accident pay

The employer must pay accident pay where an employee suffers an injury and weekly payments of compensation are paid to the employee under the applicable workers’ compensation legislation for a maximum period of 52 weeks.

21.3               Calculation of the period

(a)          The 52 week period commences from the date of injury. In the event of more than one absence arising from one injury, such absences are to be cumulative in the assessment of the 52 week period.

(b)         The termination by the employer of the employee’s employment within the 52 week period will not affect the employee’s entitlement to accident pay.

(c)          For a period of less than one week, accident pay (as defined) will be calculated on a pro rata basis.

21.4               When not entitled to payment

An employee will not be entitled to any payment under clause 21 in respect of any period of paid annual leave or long service leave, or for any paid public holiday.

21.5               Return to work

If an employee entitled to accident pay under clause 21 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.

21.6               Redemptions

In the event that 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 as herein provided will cease from the date the employee receives that payment.

21.7               Damages independent of the Acts

Where the employee recovers damages from the employer or from a third party in respect of the said injury independently of the applicable workers compensation legislation, such employee will be liable to repay to the employer the amount of accident pay which the employer has paid under clause 21 and the employee will not be entitled to any further accident pay thereafter.

21.8               Casual employees

For a casual employee, the weekly payment referred to in clause 21.1(a) 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.

22.                 Superannuation

[21 renumbered as 22 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20]

22.1               Superannuation contributions for defined benefit members

An employer is permitted to make superannuation contributions to a superannuation fund or scheme in relation to a default fund employee who is a defined benefit member of the fund or scheme.

Part 5—Overtime and Penalty Rates

23.                 Overtime

[Renumbered as 23 by PR716597; corrected by PR716890; varied by PR723912, PR763267]]

23.1               Definition of overtime

(a)          For a full-time employee, overtime is any time worked in addition to the employee’s ordinary hours worked in accordance with clause 13—Ordinary hours of work.

(b)         For a part-time employee, overtime is any time worked in excess of the part-time employee’s ordinary hours of work in clauses 10Part-time employees and 13—Ordinary hours of work.

(c)          For a casual employee overtime is any time worked in excess of the ordinary hours prescribed for casual employees in clauses 11Casual employees and 13—Ordinary hours of work.

23.2               Payment for working overtime—full-time and part-time employees—other than continuous shiftworkers

[23.2 renamed by PR723912 ppc 20Nov20]

(a)          Monday to Saturday

[23.2(a) substituted by PR723912 ppc 20Nov20]

An employee will be paid for overtime worked on Monday to Saturday, except where provided otherwise in clause 23.2, at the rate of:

(i)            150% of the ordinary hourly rate for the first 2 hours; and

(ii)          200% of the ordinary hourly rate after 2 hours.

(b)         Sunday

An employee will be paid 200% of the ordinary hourly rate for overtime worked at any time on a Sunday.

(c)          Public holiday

An employee will be paid 250% of the ordinary hourly rate for overtime worked on a public holiday.

(d)         Recall

An employee recalled to work overtime after leaving the employer’s premises (whether notified before or after leaving the premises) will be engaged to work for a minimum of 4 hours or will be paid for a minimum of 4 hours’ work at the applicable overtime rate in circumstances where the employee is engaged for a lesser period.

23.3               Payment for working overtime—casual employees—other than continuous shiftworkers

[New 23.3 inserted by PR723912 ppc 20Nov20]

(a)          Monday to Saturday

An employee will be paid for overtime worked on Monday to Saturday, except where provided otherwise in clause 23.3, at the rate of:

(i)            175% of the ordinary hourly rate for the first 2 hours; and

(ii)          225% of the ordinary hourly rate after 2 hours.

(b)         Sunday

An employee will be paid 225% of the ordinary hourly rate for overtime worked at any time on a Sunday.

(c)          Public holiday

An employee will be paid 275% of the ordinary hourly rate for overtime worked on a public holiday.

(d)         Recall

An employee recalled to work overtime after leaving the employer’s premises (whether notified before or after leaving the premises) will be engaged to work for a minimum of 4 hours or will be paid for a minimum of 4 hours’ work at the applicable overtime rate in circumstances where the employee is engaged for a lesser period.

NOTE: The overtime rates for casual employees have been calculated by adding the casual loading prescribed by clause 11.2(a)(ii) to the overtime rates for full-time and part-time employees prescribed by clause 23.2.

23.4               Payment for working overtime—continuous shiftworkers

[23.3 renumbered as 23.4 by PR723912 ppc 20Nov20]

A continuous shiftworker will be paid 200% of the ordinary hourly rate for all overtime the employer requires the continuous shiftworker to perform.

23.5               Time off instead of payment for overtime

[23.4 renumbered as 23.5 by PR723912 ppc 20Nov20]

(a)          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.

(b)         Any amount of overtime that has been worked by an employee in a particular pay period and that is to be taken as time off instead of the employee being paid for it must be the subject of a separate agreement under clause 23.5.

(c)          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;

(iii)        that, if the employee requests at any time, the employer must pay the employee, for overtime covered by the agreement but not taken as time off, at the overtime rate applicable to the overtime when worked;

(iv)        that any payment mentioned in clause 23.5(c)(iii) must be made in the next pay period following the request.

NOTE: An example of the type of agreement required by clause 23.5 is set out at Schedule F—Agreement for Time Off Instead of Payment for Overtime. There is no requirement to use the form of agreement set out at Schedule F—Agreement for Time Off Instead of Payment for Overtime. An agreement under clause 23.5 can also be made by an exchange of emails between the employee and employer, or by other electronic means.

(d)         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 23.5 an employee who worked 2 overtime hours is entitled to 2 hours’ time off.

(e)          Time off must be taken:

(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.

(f)           If the employee requests at any time, to be paid for overtime covered by an agreement under clause 23.5 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.

(g)          If time off for overtime that has been worked is not taken within the period of 6 months mentioned in clause 23.5(e), 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.

(h)         The employer must keep a copy of any agreement under clause 23.5 as an employee record.

(i)            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.

(j)           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 23.5 will apply, including the requirement for separate written agreements under clause 23.5(b) for overtime that has been worked.

[Note varied by PR763267 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).

(k)         If, on the termination of the employee’s employment, time off for overtime worked by the employee to which clause 23.5 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 23.5.

23.6               Method of calculation

[23.5 renumbered as 23.6 by PR723912 ppc 20Nov20]

(a)          When computing overtime payments, each day or shift worked will stand alone.

(b)         Any payments under clause 23 are in substitution of any other loadings or penalty rates.

23.7               Rest breaks during overtime

[23.6 renumbered as 23.7 by PR723912 ppc 20Nov20]

(a)          An employee may take a paid rest break of 20 minutes after each 4 hours of overtime worked, if the employee is required to continue work after the rest break.

(b)         The employer and an employee may agree to any variation of clause 23.7 to meet the circumstances of the workplace, provided that the employer is not required to make any payment in excess of or less than what would otherwise be required under clause 23.7.

23.8               Minimum break after overtime

[23.7 renumbered as 23.8 by PR723912 ppc 20Nov20]

A minimum break after overtime is provided in accordance with clause 15.4.

24.                 Penalty rates

[23 renumbered as 24 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20]

24.1               Shiftwork definitions

afternoon shift means any shift finishing after 7.00 pm and at or before midnight

continuous shiftworker means an employee engaged in an enterprise in which shifts are continuously rostered 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and who is rostered regularly to work those shifts and works regularly on Sundays and public holidays

day shift means any shift finishing after noon and at or before 7.00 pm

night shift means any shift finishing after midnight and at or before noon

permanent night shift means when an employee who:

(a)          during a period of engagement on shiftwork works night shift only; or

(b)         remains on night shift for a longer period than 4 consecutive weeks; or

(c)          works on a night shift which does not rotate or alternate with another shift or with day work so as to give him or her at least one third of their working time off in each shift cycle

shiftworker means an employee for the time being required by the employer to work in a system of shifts, being day shifts, afternoon shifts, night shifts or any of them, or a continuous shiftworker

24.2               Calculation of penalty rates

Any payments under clause 24 are in substitution of any other loadings or penalty rates.

24.3               Shiftwork rates

(a)          A shiftworker or continuous shiftworker must be paid 115% of the ordinary hourly rate for each ordinary hour worked on afternoon shift or night shift.

(b)         A shiftworker or continuous shiftworker must be paid 130% of the ordinary hourly rate for each ordinary hour worked on permanent night shift.

24.4               Saturday work

For all ordinary hours worked on a Saturday an employee will be paid:

(a)          150% of the ordinary hourly rate for the first 2 hours; and

(b)         200% of the ordinary hourly rate thereafter.

24.5               Sunday work

An employee will be paid 200% of the ordinary hourly rate for all ordinary hours worked on a Sunday.

24.6               Public holiday work

An employee will be paid 250% of the ordinary hourly rate for all ordinary hours worked on a public holiday.

24.7               Exception

For the avoidance of doubt, clause 24 does not apply in respect of additional hours worked where an employee voluntarily swaps shifts with another employee.

Part 6—Leave and Public Holidays

25.                 Annual leave

[24 renumbered as 25 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20; varied by PR751077]

25.1               Annual leave is provided for in the NES.

25.2               Clause 25 of the award supplements the provisions of the NES which deal with annual leave. Annual leave does not apply to casual employees.

25.3               For the purposes of the provisions of the NES which deal with annual leave, shiftworker means a continuous shiftworker.

25.4               Arrangements for taking leave

(a)          Where an employee works in a remote location or on cycle work made up of working days and non-working days, a period of paid annual leave includes working and non-working days during the period.

(b)         Where an employee works in a remote location or on cycle work made up of working days (on-duty period) and non-working days (off-duty period), an employer may reasonably require that:

(i)            any period or periods of annual leave taken by the employee must be a multiple of the on-duty period under the employee’s work cycle roster; or

(ii)          the employee take annual leave as provided in the roster cycle.

25.5               Payment for annual leave

The amount to be paid to an employee prior to going on leave must be worked out on the basis of the greater of:

(a)          what the employee would have been paid for working ordinary hours during the period of annual leave, including loadings, penalties and allowances paid for all purposes (but excluding payments in respect of overtime, or any other payment which might have been payable to the employee as a reimbursement for expenses incurred); or

(b)         the employee’s minimum rate of pay for ordinary hours under clause 16—Minimum rates of this award plus an annual leave loading of 17.5%.

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).

25.6               Electronic funds transfer (EFT) payment of annual leave

Despite anything else in clause 25, an employee paid by electronic funds transfer (EFT) may be paid in accordance with their usual pay cycle while on paid annual leave. The amount to be paid must be worked out in accordance with clause 25.5.

25.7               Direction to take annual leave during shutdown or lay-ups

[25.7 renamed and substituted by PR751077 ppc 01May23]

(a)          Clause 25.7 applies if:

(i)            an employer intends to shut down all or part of its operation for a particular period (temporary shutdown period); or

(ii)          it is necessary for a drilling rig to lay-up for repairs, survey or maintenance or where the rig cannot be usefully employed for any cause beyond the employer’s control (lay-up period); and

(iii)        the employer wishes to require affected employees to take paid annual leave during that period.

(b)         The employer must give the affected employees:

(i)            28 days’ written notice of a temporary shutdown period; or

(ii)          one week’s written notice of a lay-up period

(c)          or any shorter period agreed between them and the majority of relevant employees.

(d)         The employer must give written notice of a temporary shutdown period or lay-up period to any employee who is engaged after the notice is given under clause 25.7(b) and who will be affected by that period, as soon as reasonably practicable after the employee is engaged.

(e)          The employer may direct the employee to take a period of paid annual leave to which the employee has accrued an entitlement during a temporary shutdown or lay-up period.

(f)           A direction by the employer under clause 25.7(d):

(i)            must be in writing; and

(ii)          must be reasonable.

(g)          The employee must take paid annual leave in accordance with a direction under clause 25.7(d).

(h)         In respect of any part of a temporary shutdown or lay-up period which is not the subject of a direction under clause 25.7(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.

(i)            An employee may take annual leave in advance during a temporary shutdown period or lay-up period in accordance with an agreement under clause 25.12.

(j)           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 25.12, to which an entitlement has not been accrued, is to be taken into account.

(k)         Clauses 25.8 to 25.10 do not apply to a period of annual leave that an employee is required to take during a temporary shutdown period or lay-up period in accordance with clause 25.7.

25.8               Excessive leave accruals: general provision

NOTE: Clauses 25.8 to 25.10 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 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 25.3).

(b)         If an employee has an excessive leave accrual, the employer or the employee may seek to confer with the other and genuinely try to reach agreement on how to reduce or eliminate the excessive leave accrual.

(c)          Clause 25.9 sets out how an employer may direct an employee who has an excessive leave accrual to take paid annual leave.

(d)         Clause 25.10 sets out how an employee who has an excessive leave accrual may require an employer to grant paid annual leave requested by the employee.

25.9               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 25.8(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 25.9(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 25.8, 25.9 or 25.10 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 25.9(a) that is in effect.

(d)         An employee to whom a direction has been given under 25.9(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 25.9(d) may result in the direction ceasing to have effect. See clause 25.9(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.

25.10           Excessive leave accruals: request by employee for leave

(a)          If an employee has genuinely tried to reach agreement with an employer under clause 25.8(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 25.10(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 25.9(a) that, when any other paid annual leave arrangements (whether made under clause 25.8, 25.9 or 25.10 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 25.10(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 25.8, 25.9 or 25.10 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 25.10(a) more than 4 weeks’ paid annual leave (or 5 weeks’ paid annual leave for a shiftworker, as defined by clause 25.3) in any period of 12 months.

(e)          The employer must grant paid annual leave requested by a notice under clause 25.10(a).

25.11           Taking of annual leave over an extended period

An employer and employee may agree that the employee can take a period of paid leave over a longer period. Where this occurs, the payment for the leave will be reduced in proportion to the period of extension. For example, it may be agreed that the leave period is doubled and taken on half pay.

25.12           Annual leave in advance

(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.

(b)         An agreement must:

(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 25.12 is set out at Schedule G—Agreement to Take Annual Leave in Advance. There is no requirement to use the form of agreement set out at Schedule G—Agreement to Take Annual Leave in Advance.

(c)          The employer must keep a copy of any agreement under clause 25.12 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 25.12, 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.

25.13           Cashing out of annual leave

(a)          Paid annual leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with an agreement under clause 25.13.

(b)         Each cashing out of a particular amount of paid annual leave must be the subject of a separate agreement under clause 25.13.

(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 25.13 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 25.13 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 25.13 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 25.13.

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 25.13.

NOTE 3: An example of the type of agreement required by clause 25.13 is set out at Schedule H—Agreement to Cash Out Annual Leave. There is no requirement to use the form of agreement set out at Schedule H—Agreement to Cash Out Annual Leave.

26.                 Personal/carer’s leave and compassionate leave

[25 renumbered as 26 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20]

Personal/carer’s leave and compassionate leave are provided for in the NES.

27.                 Parental leave and related entitlements

[26 renumbered as 27 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20; varied by PR763267 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 33—Dispute resolution and/or under section 76B of the Act.

28.                 Community service leave

[27 renumbered as 28 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20]

Community service leave is provided for in the NES.

29.                 Family and domestic violence leave

[28 renumbered as 29 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20; 29—Unpaid family and domestic violence leave renamed and substituted byPR750490 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.

30.                 Public holidays

[29 renumbered as 30 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20, Paragraph in 30 varied by PR747372]

30.1               Public holidays are provided for in the NES.

30.2               Where an employee works on a public holiday they will be paid in accordance with clauses 23.2(c) or 24.6.

30.3               An employer and employee may agree to substitute another day for a day that would otherwise be a public holiday under the NES.

30.4               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.

[30.5 deleted by PR747372 ppc14Nov22]

Part 7—Workplace Delegates, Consultation and Dispute Resolution

[Part 7—Consultation and Dispute Resolution renamed by PR774774 from 01Jul24]

30A. Workplace delegates’ rights

[30A inserted by PR774774 from 01Jul24]

30A.1 Clause 30A 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 30A.

30A.2 In clause 30A:

(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.

30A.3 Before exercising entitlements under clause 30A, 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.

30A.4 An employee who ceases to be a workplace delegate must give written notice to the employer within 14 days.

30A.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.

30A.6 Entitlement to reasonable communication

(a)          A workplace delegate may communicate with eligible employees for the purpose of representing their industrial interests under clause 30A.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.

30A.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 30A.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.

30A.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.

30A.9 Exercise of entitlements under clause 30A

(a)          A workplace delegate’s entitlements under clause 30A 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 30A 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 30A 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 30A.

31.                 Consultation about major workplace change

[30 renumbered as 31 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20]

31.1               If an employer makes a definite decision to make major changes in production, program, organisation, structure or technology that are likely to have significant effects on employees, the employer must:

(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.

31.2               For the purposes of the discussion under clause 31.1(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.

31.3               Clause 31.2 does not require an employer to disclose any confidential information if its disclosure would be contrary to the employer’s interests.

31.4               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 31.1(b).

31.5               In clause 31 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.

31.6               Where this award makes provision for alteration of any of the matters defined at clause 31.5, such alteration is taken not to have significant effect.

32.                 Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work

[31 renumbered as 32 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20]

32.1               Clause 32 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.

32.2               The employer must consult with any employees affected by the proposed change and their representatives (if any).

32.3               For the purpose of the consultation, the employer must:

(a)          provide to the employees and representatives mentioned in clause 32.2 information about the proposed change (for example, information about the nature of the change and when it is to begin); and

(b)         invite the employees to give their views about the impact of the proposed change on them (including any impact on their family or caring responsibilities) and also invite their representative (if any) to give their views about that impact.

32.4               The employer must consider any views given under clause 32.3(b).

32.5               Clause 32 is to be read in conjunction with any other provisions of this award concerning the scheduling of work or the giving of notice.

33.                 Dispute resolution

[32 renumbered as 33 by PR716597 ppc 01Mar20; corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20; varied by PR763267, PR777292, PR778030]

33.1               Clause 33 sets out the procedures to be followed if a dispute arises about a matter under this award or in relation to the NES.

33.2               The parties to the dispute must first try to resolve the dispute at the workplace through discussion between the employee or employees concerned and the relevant supervisor.

33.3               If the dispute is not resolved through discussion as mentioned in clause 33.2, 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.

33.4               If the dispute is unable to be resolved at the workplace and all appropriate steps have been taken under clauses 33.2 and 33.3, a party to the dispute may refer it to the Fair Work Commission.

33.5               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.

33.6               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.

33.7               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 33.

33.8               While procedures are being followed under clause 33 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.

33.9               Clause 33.8 is subject to any applicable work health and safety legislation.

[Note 1 and Note 2 inserted by PR763267; deleted by PR778030 from 26Aug24]

[Note inserted by PR778030 from 26Aug24; varied by PR777292 from 27Aug24]

NOTE: In addition to clause 33, 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

34.                 Termination of employment

[33 renumbered as 34 and corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20]

NOTE: The NES sets out requirements for notice of termination by an employer. See sections 117 and 123 of the Act.

34.1               Notice of termination by an employee

(a)          Clause 34.1 applies to all employees except those identified in sections 123(1) and 123(3) of the Act.

(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.

Table 1—Period of notice

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 34.1(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 34.1(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 34.1(b), then no deduction can be made under clause 34.1(d).

(f)           Any deduction made under clause 34.1(d) must not be unreasonable in the circumstances.

34.2               Job search entitlement

(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 34.2 is to be taken at times that are convenient to the employee after consultation with the employer.

35.                 Redundancy

[34 renumbered as 35 and corrected by PR716890 ppc 01Mar20]

NOTE: Redundancy pay is provided for in the NES. See sections 119 to 123 of the Act.

35.1               Transfer to lower paid duties on redundancy

(a)          Clause 35.1 applies if, because of redundancy, an employee is transferred to new duties to which a lower ordinary rate of pay applies.

(b)         The employer may:

(i)            give the employee notice of the transfer of at least the same length as the employee would be entitled to under section 117 of the Act as if it were a notice of termination given by the employer; or

(ii)          transfer the employee to the new duties without giving notice of transfer or before the expiry of a notice of transfer, provided that the employer pays the employee as set out in clause 35.1(c).

(c)          If the employer acts as mentioned in clause 35.1(b)(ii), the employee is entitled to a payment of an amount equal to the difference between the ordinary rate of pay of the employee (inclusive of all-purpose allowances, shift rates and penalty rates applicable to ordinary hours) for the hours of work the employee would have worked in the first role, and the ordinary rate of pay (also inclusive of all-purpose allowances, shift rates and penalty rates applicable to ordinary hours) of the employee in the second role for the period for which notice was not given.

35.2               Employee leaving during redundancy notice period

(a)          An employee given notice of termination in circumstances of redundancy may terminate their employment during the minimum period of notice prescribed by section 117(3) of the Act.

(b)         The employee is entitled to receive the benefits and payments they would have received under clause 35 or under sections 119 to 123 of the Act had they remained in employment until the expiry of the notice.

(c)          However, the employee is not entitled to be paid for any part of the period of notice remaining after the employee ceased to be employed.

35.3               Job search entitlement

(a)          Where an employer has given notice of termination to an employee in circumstances of redundancy, the employee must be allowed time off without loss of pay of up to one day each week of the minimum period of notice prescribed by section 117(3) of the Act for the purpose of seeking other employment.

(b)         If an employee is allowed time off without loss of pay of more than one day under clause 35.3(a), the employee must, at the request of the employer, produce proof of attendance at an interview.

(c)          A statutory declaration is sufficient for the purpose of clause 35.3(b).

(d)         An employee who fails to produce proof when required under clause 35.3(b) is not entitled to be paid for the time off.

(e)          This entitlement applies instead of clause 34.2.


 

Schedule AClassification and Structure

[Varied by PR743434]

A.1                  The schedule sets out the classification structure that will apply to all employees covered by this award.

A.2                Classification and progression principles

A.2.1            Classification

In each of the classifications under this award it is a requirement that an employee must:

(a)          perform work in a fully flexible manner as reasonably required by the employer and in accordance with the employee’s ability and competence;

(b)          acquire any skills as reasonably requested by the employer and, where necessary, undertake required training and assist with the training of others; and

(c)           use such tools and equipment as may be required, subject to the limit of the employee’s skills and competence and provided that the employee has been properly trained in the use of such tools and equipment.

A.2.2            Progression

An employee will progress through the classification levels subject to:

(a)          possessing the applicable skills for the level; and

(b)          being required by the employer to perform work at that level.

Progression from Level 4 and above will be subject to the employee being appointed by the employer.

A.3                Classification groups

A.3.1            Hydrocarbons Industry Services Employees

A Hydrocarbons Industry Services Employee is designated as such by their employer and performs all tasks as directed by their employer which include but are not limited to: clerical and administrative duties; labouring; assisting drilling and processing employees, and tradespersons; rigging, scaffolding; cargo-handling, operation of plant and equipment; maintenance work on plant, equipment or buildings; performance of general plant, stores and materials, workshop, warehouse and packaging tasks; performance of first aid; preparing and cleaning equipment and materials; and on site catering, accommodation, cleaning and security.

A.3.2            Hydrocarbons Industry Onshore Drilling Employees

A Hydrocarbons Industry Onshore Drilling Employee is designated as such by their employer and performs all tasks as directed by their employer which include but are not limited to: onshore hydrocarbons activities (including any activities under the industry services stream, including labouring, sampling, drilling, processing, production and delivery activities); operation and maintenance of onshore hydrocarbons plant and equipment (including pumps, drilling equipment; derricks and forklifts); preparation of tubing and piping; erecting and dismantling drilling rigs; and minor engine maintenance.

A.3.3            Hydrocarbons Industry Offshore Drilling Employees

A Hydrocarbons Industry Offshore Drilling Employee is designated as such by their employer and performs all tasks as directed by their employer which include but are not limited to: offshore hydrocarbons activities (including any activities under the industry services stream, including labouring, sampling, drilling, processing, production and delivery activities); and operation and maintenance of offshore hydrocarbons plant and equipment (including pumps, drilling equipment, derricks, forklifts and rig deck cranes); preparation of tubing and piping; erecting and dismantling drilling rigs; and minor engine maintenance.

A.3.4            Hydrocarbons Industry Operations and Processing Employees

A Hydrocarbons Industry Operations and Processing Employee is designated as such by their employer and performs all tasks as directed by their employer which include but are not limited to: operating and adjusting all hydrocarbons plant equipment (and associated control panels) utilised in hydrocarbons industry extraction, separation, production and processing, piping, storage, distribution and delivery; maintaining plant productivity; and laboratory technicians providing services on such plant.

A.3.5            Hydrocarbons Industry Modification and Maintenance Trades Employees

A Hydrocarbons Industry Modification and Maintenance Trades Employee is designated as such by their employer, performs all tasks onshore or offshore as directed by their employer and is trade qualified.

A.4                Classification structure

A.4.1            Entry Level—Introductory

(a)          An employee at this level is undertaking the standard induction training required for the operation or business. Such training covers: conditions of employment; plant safety; first aid procedures; movement around the site; work and documentation procedures; quality control and quality assurance; and introduction to supervisors and fellow workers. Employees at this level perform routine duties under direct supervision.

(b)          This level applies to the following classification groups:

·  Hydrocarbons Industry Services; Hydrocarbons Industry Onshore Drilling; Hydrocarbons Industry Offshore Drilling; Hydrocarbons Industry Operations and Processing.

A.4.2            Level 1—Basic

(a)          An employee at this level will have completed the standard induction training and have been assessed to be able to competently carry out the basic and semi-skilled work required for this level.

(b)          This level applies to the following classification groups:

·  Hydrocarbons Industry Services; Hydrocarbons Industry Onshore Drilling; Hydrocarbons Industry Offshore Drilling; Hydrocarbons Industry Operations and Processing.

A.4.3            Level 2—Intermediate

(a)          An employee at this level will have been assessed as being competent to carry out semi-skilled work on a broad range of plant and equipment functions. The employee exercises discretion within their level of skill and is responsible for the quality of the work subject to routine supervision.

(b)          This level applies to the following classification groups:

·  Hydrocarbons Industry Services; Hydrocarbons Industry Onshore Drilling; Hydrocarbons Industry Offshore Drilling; Hydrocarbons Industry Operations and Processing.

A.4.4            Level 3—Competent

(a)          An employee at this level will have been assessed as being competent to apply skills and knowledge in complex but routine situations where discretion and judgment are involved. The skills and knowledge are acquired through the completion of a trade certificate, or through practical experience, which has equipped the employee with an equivalent level of skills and knowledge.

(b)          An employee at this level can plan tasks, select equipment and appropriate procedures from known alternatives and takes responsibility for the work of others. An employee at this level requires only limited supervision or guidance.

(c)           An employee at this level understands and applies quality control techniques; exercises discretion within the scope of this level; performs work under limited supervision; operates all equipment incidental to the work; and assists in the provision of on-the-job training.

(d)          This level applies to the following classification groups:

·  Hydrocarbons Industry Onshore Drilling; Hydrocarbons Industry Offshore Drilling; Hydrocarbons Industry Operations and Processing; Hydrocarbons Industry Modification and Maintenance Trades.

A.4.5            Level 4—Advanced

(a)          An employee at this level will have met the requirements for Level 3 and been assessed as being competent to perform tasks which require in depth skill or knowledge, or the employee is assessed as having the integration of a broad range of skills. The work may be of a non-routine nature requiring the application of the relevant skills and knowledge to new but predictable situations.

(b)          The level of skills or knowledge required to perform this work will involve the completion of post trade training appropriate for this level, or through the acquisition of practical skills and knowledge which has equipped the employee with the equivalent level of skills and knowledge.

(c)           An employee at this level will provide guidance, assistance to others and may supervise employees below Level 4.

(d)          This level applies to the following classification groups:

·  Hydrocarbons Industry Offshore Drilling; Hydrocarbons Industry Operations and Processing; Hydrocarbons Industry Modification and Maintenance Trades.

A.4.6            Level 5—Advanced Specialist

(a)          An employee at this level will have met the requirements for Level 4 and holds a trade qualification used in the operation and has acquired additional knowledge by having satisfactorily completed a prescribed post-trade course appropriate for this level or the achievement to the satisfaction of the employer of a comparable standard of skill and knowledge by other means including in‑plant training or on‑the-job experience.

(b)          An employee at this level will provide guidance, assistance to others and may supervise employees below Level 5.

(c)           This level applies to the following classification groups:

·  Hydrocarbons Industry Modification and Maintenance Trades.

A.4.7            Level 6—Dual Trade

(a)          An employee at this level will have met the requirements for Level 5 and holds a dual trade qualification or equivalent prescribed post-trade course used in the operation and has acquired additional knowledge enabling the employee to apply dual trade skills or an equivalent level of high precision specialised trade skills.

[A.4.7(b) varied by PR743434 ppc 11Jul22]

(b)          An employee at this level has high precision trade skills in more than one area; is qualified to work on machinery or equipment with complex mechanical, hydraulic, electrical circuitry or controls; and meets the skills requirements for Tradespersons in accordance with the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 for this level.

(c)           An employee at this level will provide guidance, assistance to others and may supervise employees below Level 6.

(d)          This level applies to Hydrocarbons Industry Modification and Maintenance Trades.

A.4.8            Level 7—Dual Trade Instrument Technician

(a)          An employee at this level will have met the requirements for Level 6 and have acquired further additional knowledge by having satisfactorily completed a prescribed post-trade course or an advanced trade equivalent enabling the employee to apply advanced dual trade instrument electrical technician skills.

(b)          This level applies to Hydrocarbons Industry Modification and Maintenance Trades.


 

Schedule BSummary of Hourly Rates of Pay

[Varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948]

B.1                Ordinary hourly rate

B.1.1            Ordinary hourly rate includes the industry allowance (clause 20.2(b)) which is payable for all purposes.

B.1.2            Where an allowance is payable for all purposes in accordance with clause 20.2(a)(ii), this forms part of the employee’s ordinary hourly rate and must be added to the ordinary hourly rate prior to calculating penalties and overtime.

B.2                Full-time and part-time employees

B.2.1            Full-time and part-time employees other than shiftworkers—ordinary and penalty rates

[B.2.1 varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

 

Ordinary hours

Saturday

Sunday

Public holiday

First 2 hours

After 2 hours

 

 

% of ordinary hourly rate 1

 

100%

150%

200%

200%

250%

 

$

$

$

$

$

Entry Level—Introductory

25.90

38.85

51.80

51.80

64.75

Level 1—Basic

27.04

40.56

54.08

54.08

67.60

Level 2—Intermediate

27.98

41.97

55.96

55.96

69.95

Level 3—Competent

28.79

43.19

57.58

57.58

71.98

Level 4—Advanced

30.60

45.90

61.20

61.20

76.50

Level 5—Advanced Specialist

32.49

48.74

64.98

64.98

81.23

Level 6—Dual Trade

34.00

51.00

68.00

68.00

85.00

Level 7—Dual Trade Instrument Technician

35.31

52.97

70.62

70.62

88.28

1 Ordinary hourly rate includes the industry allowance payable to all employees for all purposes. Any additional all-purpose allowances applicable need to be added to these rates

B.2.2            Full-time and part-time employees other than shiftworkers—overtime rates

[B.2.2 varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

 

Monday to Saturday

Sunday – all day

Public holiday – all day

First 2 hours

After 2 hours

% of ordinary hourly rate 1

 

150%

200%

200%

250%

 

$

$

$

$

Entry Level—Introductory

38.85

51.80

51.80

64.75

Level 1—Basic

40.56

54.08

54.08

67.60

Level 2—Intermediate

41.97

55.96

55.96

69.95

Level 3—Competent

43.19

57.58

57.58

71.98

Level 4—Advanced

45.90

61.20

61.20

76.50

Level 5—Advanced Specialist

48.74

64.98

64.98

81.23

Level 6—Dual Trade

51.00

68.00

68.00

85.00

Level 7—Dual Trade Instrument Technician

52.97

70.62

70.62

88.28

1 Ordinary hourly rate includes the industry allowance payable to all employees for all purposes. Any additional all-purpose allowances applicable need to be added to these rates.

B.2.3            Shiftworkers—ordinary and penalty rates

[B.2.3 varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

 

Shift

Saturday

Sunday

Public holiday

Afternoon

Night

Permanent night

First 2 hours

After 2 hours

 

% of ordinary hourly rate 1

 

115%

115%

130%

150%

200%

200%

250%

 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Entry Level—Introductory

29.79

29.79

33.67

38.85

51.80

51.80

64.75

Level 1—Basic

31.10

31.10

35.15

40.56

54.08

54.08

67.60

Level 2—Intermediate

32.18

32.18

36.37

41.97

55.96

55.96

69.95

Level 3—Competent

33.11

33.11

37.43

43.19

57.58

57.58

71.98

Level 4—Advanced

35.19

35.19

39.78

45.90

61.20

61.20

76.50

Level 5—Advanced Specialist

37.36

37.36

42.24

48.74

64.98

64.98

81.23

Level 6—Dual Trade

39.10

39.10

44.20

51.00

68.00

68.00

85.00

Level 7—Dual Trade Instrument Technician

40.61

40.61

45.90

52.97

70.62

70.62

88.28

1 Ordinary hourly rate includes the industry allowance payable to all employees for all purposes. Any additional all-purpose allowances applicable need to be added to these rates.

B.2.4            Shiftworkers—overtime rates

[B.2.4 varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

 

Monday to Saturday

Sunday

Public holiday

Continuous shiftworker—Monday to Sunday

First 2 hours

After 2 hours

% of ordinary hourly rate 1

 

150%

200%

200%

250%

200%

$

$

$

$

$

Entry Level—Introductory

38.85

51.80

51.80

64.75

51.80

Level 1—Basic

40.56

54.08

54.08

67.60

54.08

Level 2—Intermediate

41.97

55.96

55.96

69.95

55.96

Level 3—Competent

43.19

57.58

57.58

71.98

57.58

Level 4—Advanced

45.90

61.20

61.20

76.50

61.20

Level 5—Advanced Specialist

48.74

64.98

64.98

81.23

64.98

Level 6—Dual Trade

51.00

68.00

68.00

85.00

68.00

Level 7—Dual Trade Instrument Technician

52.97

70.62

70.62

88.28

70.62

1 Ordinary hourly rate includes the industry allowance payable to all employees for all purposes. Any additional all-purpose allowances applicable need to be added to these rates.

B.3                Casual employees

B.3.1            Casual employees other than shiftworkers—ordinary and penalty rates

[B.3.1 varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

 

Ordinary hours

Saturday

Sunday

Public holiday

First 2 hours

After 2 hours

 

% of ordinary hourly rate 1

 

125%

175%

225%

225%

275%

 

$

$

$

$

$

Entry Level—Introductory

32.38

45.33

58.28

58.28

71.23

Level 1—Basic

33.80

47.32

60.84

60.84

74.36

Level 2—Intermediate

34.98

48.97

62.96

62.96

76.95

Level 3—Competent

35.99

50.38

64.78

64.78

79.17

Level 4—Advanced

38.25

53.55

68.85

68.85

84.15

Level 5—Advanced Specialist

40.61

56.86

73.10

73.10

89.35

Level 6—Dual Trade

42.50

59.50

76.50

76.50

93.50

Level 7—Dual Trade Instrument Technician

44.14

61.79

79.45

79.45

97.10

1 Ordinary hourly rate includes the industry allowance payable to all employees for all purposes. Any additional all-purpose allowances applicable need to be added to these rates.

B.3.2            Casual shiftworkers—ordinary and penalty rates

[B.3.2 varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

 

Shift

Saturday

Sunday

Public holiday

 

Afternoon

Night

Permanent night

First 2 hours

After 2 hours

 

% of ordinary hourly rate 1

 

140%

140%

155%

175%

225%

225%

275%

 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Entry Level—Introductory

36.26

36.26

40.15

45.33

58.28

58.28

71.23

Level 1—Basic

37.86

37.86

41.91

47.32

60.84

60.84

74.36

Level 2—Intermediate

39.17

39.17

43.37

48.97

62.96

62.96

76.95

Level 3—Competent

40.31

40.31

44.62

50.38

64.78

64.78

79.17

Level 4—Advanced

42.84

42.84

47.43

53.55

68.85

68.85

84.15

Level 5—Advanced Specialist

45.49

45.49

50.36

56.86

73.10

73.10

89.35

Level 6—Dual Trade

47.60

47.60

52.70

59.50

76.50

76.50

93.50

Level 7—Dual Trade Instrument Technician

49.43

49.43

54.73

61.79

79.45

79.45

97.10

1 Ordinary hourly rate includes the industry allowance payable to all employees for all-purposes. Any additional all-purpose allowances applicable need to be added to these rates.

   


 

Schedule CSummary of Monetary Allowances

[Varied by PR718880, PR719033, PR729320, PR729505, PR740745, PR740911, PR750818, PR762171, PR762338, PR773948, PR774117]

C.1                 Wage-related allowances

[C.1.1 varied by PR718880, PR729320, PR740745, PR762171, PR773948 ppc 01Jul24]

C.1.1            The wage-related allowances in this award are based on the standard rate as defined in clause 2Definitions as the minimum weekly rate for a Level 3 employee in clause 16.1 = $1032.30.

Allowance

Clause

% of standard rate

$

Payable

Industry allowance1

20.2(b)(i)

5.96

61.53

per week

Licence allowance—electricians2

20.2(c)

2.89

29.83

per week

Leading hands in charge of—3 to 10 employees

20.2(d)

2.84

29.32

per week

Leading hands in charge of—11 to 20 employees

20.2(d)

4.49

46.35

per week

Leading hands in charge of—More than 20 employees

20.2(d)

5.68

58.63

per week

Living away from home allowance—employees required to undertake remote work only

20.2(e)(ii)

6.0

61.94

per day or part thereof

1, 2 These allowances apply for all purposes of this award

C.1.2            Automatic adjustment of wage-related allowances

[C.1.2 renamed and substituted by PR750818 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.

C.2                 Expense-related allowances

[C.2.1 varied by PR719033, PR729505, PR740911, PR762338, PR774117 ppc 01Jul24]

C.2.1            The expense-related allowances will be adjusted by reference to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as per the following:

Allowance

Clause

$

Payable

Meal allowance—overtime

20.3(a)

20.63