Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020
This Fair Work Commission consolidated modern award incorporates all amendments up to and including 27 August 2024 (PR777318 and PR778057).
Clause(s) affected by the most recent variation(s):
11—Casual employees
13A—Employee right to disconnect
32—Dispute resolution
Table of Contents
[Varied by PR746868, PR747405, PR750547, PR774805, PR778057]
Part 7— Workplace Delegates, Consultation and Dispute Resolution.............................. 34
Schedule E —Agreement for Time Off Instead of Payment for Overtime....................... 59
Schedule F —Agreement to Take Annual Leave in Advance............................................ 60
Part 1—Application and Operation of this Award
1.1 This award is the Storage Services and Wholesale 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.
[Varied by PR733904, PR774805, PR777318]
In this award, unless the contrary intention appears:
Act means the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
[Definition of casual employee inserted by PR733904 from 27Sep21; varied by PR777318 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.
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 PR774805 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 PR774805 from 01Jul24]
enterprise has the meaning given by section 12 of the Act.
exempt public sector superannuation scheme has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth).
MySuper product has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth).
NES means the National Employment Standards as contained in section 59 to 131 of the Act.
on-hire means the on-hire of an employee by their employer to a client, where such employee works under the general guidance and instruction of the client or a representative of the client.
[Definition of small business employer inserted by PR774805 from 01Jul24]
small business employer has the meaning given by section 23 of the Act.
standard rate means the minimum weekly rate for a Storeworker grade 4 in clause 15—Minimum rates.
steel distributing employee means an employee working for an employer at a site in or in connection with receiving, unloading, storing, packing, sorting, handling, cutting material to order, preparation for dispatch, loading and dispatch of steel or any similar material.
storage services and wholesale industry has the meaning given in clause 4.2.
wholesale means the sale of commodities in large quantities other than to final consumers.
[Definition of workplace delegate inserted by PR774805 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.
4.1 This industry award covers employers throughout Australia in the storage services and wholesale industry and their employees in the classifications listed in clause 12—Classifications.
4.2 In this award the storage services and wholesale industry means the receiving, handling, storing, freezing, refrigerating, bottling, packing, preparation for sale, sorting, loading, dispatch, delivery, or sale by wholesale, of produce, goods or merchandise as well as activities and processes connected, incidental or ancillary.
4.3 This award does not cover employees to the extent that the employer is covered by:
(a) another modern award that contains classifications relating to functions included within the definition of the storage services and wholesale industry with respect to any employee who is covered by that award; or
(b) the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020.
4.4 This award covers any employer which supplies labour on an on-hire basis in the storage services and wholesale industry in respect of on-hire employees in classifications covered by this award, and those on-hire employees, while engaged in the performance of work for a business in that industry. Clause 4.4 operates subject to the exclusions from coverage in this award.
4.5 This award covers employers which provide group training services for trainees engaged in the storage services and wholesale industry and/or parts of that industry and those trainees engaged by a group training service hosted by a company to perform work at a location where the activities described in clause 4.1 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
5.8 Except as provided in clause 5.7(b), an agreement must not require the approval or consent of a person other than the employer and the employee.
5.9 The employer must keep the agreement as a time and wages record and give a copy to the employee.
5.10 The employer and the employee must genuinely agree, without duress or coercion to any variation of an award provided for by an agreement.
5.11 An agreement may be terminated:
(a) at any time, by written agreement between the employer and the employee; or
NOTE: If an employer and employee agree to an arrangement that purports to be an individual flexibility arrangement under this award term and the arrangement does not meet a requirement set out in section 144 then the employee or the employer may terminate the arrangement by giving written notice of not more than 28 days (see section 145 of the Act).
5.12 An agreement terminated as mentioned in clause 5.11(b) ceases to have effect at the end of the period of notice required under that clause.
5.13 The right to make an agreement under clause 5 is additional to, and does not affect, any other term of this award that provides for an agreement between an employer and an individual employee.
6. Requests for flexible working arrangements
[6 substituted by PR763289 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 32—Dispute resolution and/or under section 65B of the Act.
7.1 Agreement to vary award provisions
(a) This award contains facilitative provisions that allow agreement between an employer and employees on how specific award provisions are to apply at the workplace or enterprise level.
7.2 Facilitation by individual agreement
(i) clause 13.1(d)—Hours of work—maximum number of hours;
(ii) clause 13.1(e)—Hours of work—days of the week;
(iii) clause 13.2—Hours of work—spread of hours;
(iv) clause 13.4(c)—Hours of work—normal rostered day off;
(v) clause 20.2—Shiftwork—transfer to or from shiftwork;
(vi) clause 20.5—Shift rosters;
(vii) clause 21.3(a)—Time off instead of payment for overtime;
(viii) clause 24.6(a)—Agreement to take annual leave in advance;
(ix) clause 24.7(c)—Agreement to cash out annual leave;
(x) clause 29.2—Substitution of public holidays; and
(xi) clause 29.3(a)—Rostered day off falling on a public holiday.
(b) The agreement reached must be recorded in writing and kept as a time and wages record.
7.3 Facilitation by majority agreement
(i) clause 13.1(d)—Hours of work—maximum number of hours;
(ii) clause 13.1(e)—Hours of work—days of week;
(iii) clause 13.2—Hours of work—spread of hours;
(iv) clause 20.1(d)—Shiftwork—span of hours; and
(v) clause 20.3(c)—Shiftwork—variation of hours.
(b) The agreement reached must be recorded in writing and kept as a time and wages record.
Part 2—Types of Employment and Classifications
8.1 Employees under this award will be employed in one of the following categories:
(a) full-time;
(b) part-time; or
(c) casual.
A full-time employee is one engaged by the week to work an average of 38 ordinary hours averaged over 4 weeks.
[Varied by PR733904]
10.1 An employer may employ part-time employees in any classification in this award.
10.2 A part-time employee:
(a) is engaged to work less than 38 ordinary hours per week;
(b) has reasonably predictable hours of work; and
(c) receives, on a pro rata basis, equivalent pay and conditions to those of full-time employees who do the same kind of work.
(a) the hours worked each day;
(b) which days of the week the employee will work; and
(c) the actual starting and finishing times each day.
10.4 Any agreed variation to the regular pattern of work will be recorded in writing.
10.5 An employer is required to roster a part-time employee for a minimum of 3 consecutive hours on any shift.
10.7 A part-time employee employed under the provisions of clause 10 must be paid for ordinary hours worked at the minimum hourly rate for the class of work performed.
10.8 Commencement of part-time work and return from part-time to full-time work will not break the continuity of service or employment.
[10.9 deleted by PR733904 from 27Sep21]
[Varied by PR723978, PR733904, PR777318]
[11.1 deleted by PR733904 from 27Sep21]
[11.2 renumbered as 11.1 by PR733904 from 27Sep21]
11.1 A casual employee will be guaranteed not less than 4 hours’ engagement every start.
[11.3 substituted by PR723978 ppc 20Nov20; 11.3 renumbered as 11.2 by PR733904 from 27Sep21]
For each ordinary hour worked, a casual employee must be paid:
(a) the minimum hourly rate for the classification in which they are employed; and
(b) a loading of 25% of the minimum hourly rate.
11.3 Payment for working overtime
[New 11.4 inserted by PR723978 ppc 20Nov20; 11.4 renumbered as 11.3 by PR733904 from 27Sep21]
When a casual employee works overtime, they must be paid the overtime rates in clause 21.1(d).
11.4 Changes to casual employment status
[11.4 renumbered as 11.5 by PR723978; 11.5 renumbered as 11.4 and renamed and substituted by PR733904; renamed and substituted by PR777318 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 32—Dispute resolution.
The classifications under this award are set out in Schedule A—Classification Definitions.
13. Ordinary hours of work and rostering arrangements
[Varied by PR730922]
13.1 Ordinary hours of work—day workers
(a) The ordinary hours will be up to 38 hours per week averaged over 4 weeks.
(b) Ordinary hours are worked between 7.00 am and 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday.
(d) An employee may work up to 10 ordinary hours in a day, by agreement between the employer and the majority of employees concerned or between the employee and the employer.
(f) The ordinary hours may be implemented over a period of 4 weeks by:
(i) employees working less than 8 ordinary hours on one or more days a week; or
(ii) rostering employees off on days of the week during a particular work cycle so that each employee has one day off during that work cycle.
[13.2 substituted by PR730922 ppc 01Jul21]
(a) The spread of hours (7.00 am to 5.30 pm) may be moved up to one hour forward or one hour back by agreement between an employer and:
(i) the majority of employees at the workplace;
(ii) the majority of employees in a discrete section of the workplace; or
(iii) an individual employee.
(b) Different agreements may be reached with the majority of employees in different sections of the workplace or with different individual employees.
13.3 Changing ordinary hours of work
An employer must give one week’s notice before changing the starting and finishing times in any establishment.
(b) Notice of rostered days off
An employer must give an employee at least 4 weeks’ notice of the weekday of the employee’s rostered day off.
(c) Flexibility in relation to rostered days off
An individual employee, with the agreement of the employer may substitute the day the employee is to take off for another day.
(d) Rostered days off—substitute days
Despite clause 13.4(b), an employer may, with the agreement of the majority of employees concerned, substitute a rostered day off for another day for the following reasons:
(i) in the case of a breakdown in machinery;
(ii) a failure or shortage of electric power;
(iii) to meet the requirements of the business in the event of rush orders or some other emergency situation.
13.5 Make-up time
(a) An employee may elect, with the consent of the employer, to work make-up time, under which the employee takes time off during ordinary hours, and works those hours at a later time, during the spread of ordinary hours.
(b) An employee on shiftwork may elect, with the consent of the employee’s employer, to work make-up time under which the employee takes time off during ordinary hours and works those hours at a later time, at the shift penalty rate which would have been applicable to the hours taken off.
(c) On each occasion that the employee elects to use this provision the resulting agreement will be recorded at the time when the agreement is made.
13A. Employee right to disconnect
[13A inserted by PR778057 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 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 20.5(b); or
(b) a recall to work under clause 23—Call-back.
(b) Where a meal break is to be taken immediately prior to or during a period of overtime, it will not exceed one hour in duration.
14.2 Rest break
All employees are entitled to a paid rest break of 10 minutes each morning and afternoon. These breaks are to be counted as time worked and taken at a time fixed by the employer, provided that the rest break will not be:
(a) within one hour of normal commencement or cessation of work; or
(b) within one hour either side of a meal break.
[Varied by PR720159, PR718902, PR729343, PR740770, PR762193, PR773971]
15.1 Minimum rates
[15.1 varied by PR718902, PR729343, PR740770, PR762193, PR773971 ppc 01Jul24]
The minimum rates of pay for an adult employee are set out below:
Minimum weekly rate (full-time employee) |
Minimum hourly rate |
|
|
$ |
$ |
Storeworker grade 1—on commencement |
949.20 |
24.98 |
Storeworker grade 1—after 3 months |
960.80 |
25.28 |
Storeworker grade 1—after 12 months |
971.70 |
25.57 |
Storeworker grade 2 |
980.30 |
25.80 |
Storeworker grade 3 |
1008.20 |
26.53 |
Storeworker grade 4 |
1038.00 |
27.32 |
Wholesale employee level 1—on commencement |
949.20 |
24.98 |
Wholesale employee level 1—after 3 months |
960.80 |
25.28 |
Wholesale employee level 1—after 12 months |
971.70 |
25.57 |
Wholesale employee level 2 |
980.30 |
25.80 |
Wholesale employee level 3 |
1008.20 |
26.53 |
Wholesale employee level 4 |
1038.00 |
27.32 |
NOTE: See Schedule B—Summary of Hourly Rates of Pay for a summary of hourly rates of pay including overtime and penalty rates.
The minimum rate to be paid to junior employees is as follows:
Age |
Percentage of weekly rate for Storeworker grade 1 or Wholesale
employee level 1 |
Under 16 years of age |
40 |
16 years of age |
50 |
17 years of age |
60 |
18 years of age |
70 |
19 years of age and over |
The appropriate adult rate |
(i) up to 3 hours on any one day—the rate prescribed for such higher classification for the time worked at the higher level with a minimum of one hour;
(ii) over 3 hours on any one day—a full day’s pay at the rate prescribed for such higher classification; or
(iii) over 20 hours in any one week—a full week’s pay at the rate prescribed for such higher classification.
(b) A weekly employee must not suffer any reduction in wages during any week by reason of the employee performing work for a part of such week at a classification lower than that under which the employee was engaged or deemed to be working.
(c) If, at the direction of their employer, a casual employee performs the work of 2 or more classifications on the same day or shift, they will be entitled to the hourly rate applicable for the classification relevant to the work that the employee spends the largest proportion of their time undertaking on the day or shift.
(d) A casual employee will only be entitled to receive the hourly rate applicable to a particular classification if they have the required skills referred to in the appropriate classification and are utilising those skills.
For employees who are eligible for a supported wage, see Schedule D—Supported Wage System.
[15.5(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.
[15.5(b) varied by PR720159 ppc 18Jun20, PR718902, PR729343, PR740770, PR762193, PR773971 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 Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 and not the Miscellaneous Award 2020.
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.
16.1 Period of payment
Wages must be paid either weekly or fortnightly.
16.2 Method of payment
Wages must be paid by cash or cheque during working hours or by electronic funds transfer into the employee’s bank or other recognised financial institution account.
16.3 Public holiday or day off coinciding with pay day
Where an employee is paid wages by cash or cheque and the employee is, by virtue of the day being a public holiday or of the arrangement of the employee’s ordinary hours, to take a day off on a day which coincides with pay day, such employee must be paid no later than the working day preceding pay day. However, if the employer is able to make suitable arrangements and the employee agrees, wages may be paid on the working day immediately following pay day.
16.4 Payment on termination of employment
(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 16.4(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 16.4(b) allows the Commission to make an order delaying the requirement to make a payment under clause 16.4. 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.
[Varied by PR718902, PR719054, PR729343, PR729527, PR740933, PR762360, PR762193, PR773971, PR774142]
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 The employer must pay to an employee the allowances the employee is entitled to under clause 17.
NOTE: See Schedule C—Summary of Monetary Allowances for a summary of monetary allowances and method of adjustment.
17.2 Wage-related allowances
[17.2(a)(i) varied by PR718902, PR729343, PR740770, PR762193, PR773971 ppc 01Jul24]
(ii) If the employer requests that an employee obtain first aid attendant qualifications (St John Ambulance standard or equivalent), the employee must be reimbursed:
· the cost of approved books/manuals; and
· other approved out-of-pocket expenses associated with attending the first aid course;
on attaining such qualifications.
(b) Cold temperatures
Employees required to work in cold temperatures will be paid the additional rates as follows:
[17.2(b)(i) varied by PR718902, PR729343, PR740770, PR762193, PR773971 ppc 01Jul24]
(i) from -15.6°C (4°F) down to -18.9°C (-2°F)—$1.04 per hour or part thereof;
[17.2(b)(ii) varied by PR718902, PR729343, PR740770, PR762193, PR773971 ppc 01Jul24]
(ii) less than -18.9°C (-2°F) down to -23.3°C (-10°F)—$1.56 per hour or part thereof; or
[17.2(b)(iii) varied by PR718902, PR729343, PR740770, PR762193, PR773971 ppc 01Jul24]
(iii) less than -23.3°C (-10°F)—$2.08 per hour or part thereof.
17.3 Expense-related allowances
[17.3(a) varied by PR719054, PR729527, PR740933, PR762360, PR774142 ppc 01Jul24]
An employee required to work overtime in excess of one hour after the usual finishing time will be paid an allowance of $20.90. The meal allowance will not be payable to an employee who can reasonably return home for a meal.
(b) Travelling, transport and fares reimbursement
(ii) The rate of pay for travelling time will be at ordinary rates, except on Sundays and public holidays when an employee will be paid at 150% of the minimum hourly rate.
(c) Provision of tools
An employee will be reimbursed for the cost of purchasing or supplying tools if:
(i) they are required to use these tools in the course of their work; and
(ii) the tools are not provided by the employer.
(d) Protective clothing and uniforms reimbursement
(i) The employer will provide overalls to, or reimburse the cost of purchasing overalls for:
· any person employed in a paint manufacturer’s store; or
· any employee whose work normally involves the lifting or carrying of crates or similar containers which are likely to damage clothing.
(ii) Where an employer requires an employee to wear any special uniform, dress or clothing, such uniform, dress or clothing will either be supplied and laundered by the employer, or the employer will reimburse the employee for the cost of laundering and purchase of such clothing.
(iii) Where it is agreed between the employer and the employee that the work normally performed by the employee is of an unusually dirty, wet or obnoxious nature, suitable protective clothing and/or footwear will be supplied by the employer, or else the employer will reimburse the employee for the cost of such protective clothing and footwear.
(e) Damaged personal effects allowance
[17.3(e)(i) varied by PR719054, PR729527, PR740933, PR762360, PR774142 ppc 01Jul24]
(i) An employer will reimburse an employee up to a maximum of $1121 for the replacement or repair of each set of dentures and/or prescription spectacles if they are damaged or destroyed in the course of the employee’s ordinary duties, other than through the employee’s own negligence.
(ii) The employer may require the employee to provide a statutory declaration setting out the circumstances of the damage or destruction and supporting evidence of the value of the item damaged or destroyed.
(iii) Where an employee has already received reimbursement of costs from the employer under clause 17.3(e)(i), and later receives compensation which covers the replacement or repair of an employee’s dentures and/or prescription spectacles through an applicable workers’ compensation scheme, then the following will apply;
· if the workers’ compensation fully covers the cost of replacement or repair, then the employee will reimburse the employer the amount already received under clause 17.3(e)(i); and
· if the workers’ compensation only covers part of the cost of replacement or repair, an employee is only required to reimburse the employer the amount received in compensation.
For the purposes of clause 18, the following definitions will apply:
(b) Injury will be given the same meaning and application as applying under the applicable workers’ compensation legislation covering the employer.
18.2 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 26 weeks.
18.3 Calculation of the period
(a) The 26 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 26 week period.
(b) The termination by the employer of the employee’s employment within the 26 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.
18.4 When not entitled to payment
An employee will not be entitled to any payment under clause 18 in respect of any period of paid annual leave or long service leave, or for any paid public holiday.
If an employee entitled to accident pay under clause 18 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.
18.6 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 will cease from the date the employee receives that payment.
18.7 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 18 and the employee will not be entitled to any further accident pay thereafter.
18.8 Casual employees
For a casual employee, the weekly payment referred to in clause 18.1(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 the casual loading but will not include over award payments, shift penalty rates or overtime.
[Varied by PR771360]
19.1 Superannuation legislation
[19.1 substituted by PR771360 ppc 09Apr24]
(a) The NES and Superannuation legislation, including the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth), the Superannuation Guarantee Charge Act 1992 (Cth), the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) and the Superannuation (Resolution of Complaints) Act 1993 (Cth), deal with the superannuation rights and obligations of employers and employees.
(b) The rights and obligations in clause 19 supplement those in superannuation legislation and the NES.
NOTE: Under superannuation legislation:
(a) Individual employees generally have the opportunity to choose their own superannuation fund.
(b) If a new employee does not choose a superannuation fund, the employer must ask the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) whether the employee is an existing member of a stapled superannuation fund and, if stapled fund details are provided by the ATO, make contributions to the stapled fund.
(c) If an employee does not choose a superannuation fund and does not have a stapled fund, the choice of superannuation fund requirements will be satisfied by contributions made to a superannuation fund nominated in the award covering the employee, provided the fund is able to accept contributions for the benefit of the employee.
(d) A fund may not be able to accept contributions for the benefit of an employee if the employee would be a new member of the fund’s MySuper product and the MySuper product is closed to new members because it has failed the performance tests of Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) for 2 consecutive years.
An employer must make such superannuation contributions to a superannuation fund for the benefit of an employee as will avoid the employer being required to pay the superannuation guarantee charge under superannuation legislation with respect to that employee.
19.3 Voluntary employee contributions
(c) The employer must pay the amount authorised under clauses 19.3(a) or (b) no later than 28 days after the end of the month in which the deduction authorised under clauses 19.3(a) or (b) was made.
19.4 Superannuation fund
[19.4 varied by PR771360 ppc 09Apr24]
Unless, to comply with superannuation legislation, the employer is required to make the superannuation contributions provided for in clause 19.2 to another superannuation fund, the employer must make the superannuation contributions provided for in clause 19.2 and pay any amount authorised under clauses 19.3(a) or 19.3(b) to one of the following superannuation funds or its successor, provided that, in respect of new employees, the fund is able to accept new beneficiaries:
(a) AustralianSuper;
(b) Labour Union Co-operative Retirement Fund (LUCRF);
(c) TasPlan;
(d) Sunsuper;
(e) CareSuper;
(f) REST;
(g) MTAA Superannuation Fund;
(h) any superannuation fund to which the employer was making superannuation contributions for the benefit of its employees before 12 September 2008, provided the superannuation fund is an eligible choice fund and is a fund that offers a MySuper product or is an exempt public sector superannuation scheme; or
(i) a superannuation fund or scheme which the employee is a defined benefit member of.
Part 5—Overtime and Penalty Rates
[Varied by PR730922]
(a) Early morning shift means a shift commencing between 2.00 am and 7.00 am.
(b) Afternoon shift means a shift finishing after 6.00 pm and at or before midnight.
(c) Night shift means a shift finishing after midnight and at or before 8.30 am.
[20.1(d) substituted by PR730922 ppc 01Jul21]
(i) the majority of employees at the workplace; or
(ii) the majority of employees in a discrete section of the workplace.
Different agreements may be reached with the majority of employees in different sections of the workplace.
20.2 No requirement to work shift
Employees employed as day shift employees must not be required to work afternoon shift in the absence of the employee’s specific agreement. Afternoon shift will be worked by the employees engaged specifically for this purpose, or by volunteers from day shift. Employees must not be discriminated against in any way for not volunteering to work a particular shift.
(a) The ordinary hours of work of shiftworkers will average 38 per week as provided in clause 13.1 and must not exceed 152 in any work cycle; and
(b) except as provided in clause 20.3(c) will not exceed:
(i) 8 hours in one day;
(ii) 38 hours in any one week;
(iii) 76 hours in any 14 consecutive days;
(iv) 114 hours in any 21 consecutive days; or
(v) 152 hours in any 28 consecutive days.
(c) The ordinary hours for shift employees may be worked between Monday and midnight Friday, inclusive, (subject to clause 20.1(c)) and will be worked on 4 or 5 days of not more than 8 hours (Monday to Friday inclusive) each continuously, except for meal breaks, at the discretion of the employer. An employee may work up to 10 ordinary hours in a day, subject to agreement between the employer and the majority of employees in the workplace or a section or sections of it. The days on which ordinary hours are worked may include Saturday and Sunday subject to agreement between the employer and the majority of employees in the workplace or a section or sections of it.
(d) Where agreement is reached in accordance with clause 20.3(c), the minimum rate to be paid for a shiftworker for ordinary time worked between midnight on Friday and midnight on Saturday will be 150% of the minimum hourly rate.
(e) Where agreement is reached in accordance with clause 20.3(c), the minimum rate to be paid for a shiftworker for ordinary time worked between midnight on Saturday and midnight on Sunday will be 200% of the minimum hourly rate.
(f) The extra rates in clause 20.3(d) and clause 20.3(e) are in substitution for and not cumulative upon the shift penalty rates.
(a) An employee while on early morning shift will be paid for such shift at 112.5% of the minimum hourly rate.
(b) An employee while on afternoon shift will be paid for such shift at 115% of the minimum hourly rate.
(c) An employee while on night shift will be paid for such shift at 130% of the minimum hourly rate.
(d) Employees required to work ordinary shifts on a public holiday will be paid in accordance with clause 22.3, instead of their shift penalty rate.
20.5 Setting and alteration of shift roster
The employer will roster shifts at least 48 hours in advance and such roster will show the commencement and finishing time of each shift. Such times having been set may be altered:
(a) by agreement between the employer and employee; or
[Varied by PR723978, PR763289]
(a) Overtime is payable for all time worked by an employee in excess of or outside the ordinary hours of work prescribed by this award.
[21.1(b) substituted by PR723978 ppc 20Nov20]
(c) Part-time employees will be paid overtime in accordance with clause 10.6.
[21.1(d) inserted by PR723978 ppc 20Nov20]
NOTE: The overtime rates for casual employees have been calculated by adding the casual loading prescribed by clause 11.2(b) to the overtime rates for full-time and part-time employees prescribed by clause 21.1(b).
For the purpose of clauses 21 to 23:
(a) each day or shift worked will stand alone;
(b) day means all the time between the normal commencing time of one day and the normal commencing time of the next succeeding day;
(c) Saturday means all the time between midnight Friday and midnight Saturday; and
(d) Sunday means all the time between midnight Saturday and midnight Sunday.
21.3 Time off instead of payment for overtime
(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;
(iv) that any payment mentioned in clause 21.3(c)(iii) must be made in the next pay period following the request.
NOTE: An example of the type of agreement required by clause 21.3 is set out at Schedule E—Agreement for Time Off Instead of Payment for Overtime. There is no requirement to use the form of agreement set out at Schedule E—Agreement for Time Off Instead of Payment for Overtime. An agreement under clause 21.3 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 21.3 an employee who worked 2 overtime hours is entitled to 2 hours’ time off.
(i) within the period of 6 months after the overtime is worked; and
(ii) at a time or times within that period of 6 months agreed by the employee and employer.
(f) If the employee requests at any time, to be paid for overtime covered by an agreement under clause 21.3 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 21.3(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 21.3 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 21.3 will apply, including the requirement for separate written agreements under clause 21.3(b) for overtime that has been worked.
[Note varied by PR763289 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 21.3 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 21.3.
21.4 Rest period after overtime
(a) Wherever reasonably practicable overtime will be arranged so that employees have at least 10 consecutive hours off duty between the work of successive days.
(b) Where an employee works so much overtime that there are fewer than 10 hours between finishing overtime on one day and commencing ordinary work on the next day, the employee will be released until the employee has had at least 10 consecutive hours off without loss of pay for ordinary working time occurring during such absence.
[21.4(c) substituted by PR723978 ppc 20Nov20]
NOTE: The overtime rate for casual employees have been calculated by adding the casual loading prescribed by clause 11.2(b) to the overtime rate for full-time and part-time employees prescribed by clause 21.4(c).
22. Penalty rates for weekends and public holidays
[Varied by PR747405]
22.1 Saturdays
(a) All ordinary time worked on a Saturday must be paid for at 150% of the minimum hourly rate.
(b) An employee required to work overtime on a Saturday must be given at least 3 hours’ work or must be paid for 3 hours at the rate in clause 22.1(a), except where such overtime is worked immediately before or after ordinary hours of work.
22.2 Sundays
(a) All time worked on a Sunday must be paid for at 200% of the minimum hourly rate.
(b) An employee required to work overtime on a Sunday must be given at least 4 hours’ work or must be paid for 4 hours at the rate in clause 22.2(a), except where such overtime is worked immediately before or after ordinary hours of work.
(a) All work performed on any of the holidays prescribed or substituted in accordance with clause 29—Public holidays must be paid for at the rate of 250% of the minimum hourly rate.
[22.3(c) inserted by PR747405 ppc 14Nov22]
(c) Hours of work performed immediately before or after a part-day public holiday, that form part of one continuous shift, are counted as part of the minimum payment/engagement period in clause 22.3(b).
23.1 Mondays to Fridays
An employee called back to work after the employee has left work for the day must be paid for a minimum of 4 hours’ work calculated at the appropriate rate for each time the employee is called back.
23.2 Saturdays
An employee called back to work after 12 noon on a Saturday must be paid for a minimum of 4 hours’ work calculated at 200% of the minimum hourly rate.
23.3 Sundays
An employee called back to work on a Sunday must, for the first call-back, be paid for a minimum of 4 hours’ work at 200% of the minimum hourly rate. Each subsequent call-back must be paid at the rate of 200% of the minimum hourly rate for the actual time worked.
Part 6—Leave and Public Holidays
24.1 Annual leave is provided for in the NES.
24.2 Definition of shiftworker
For the purpose of the additional week of annual leave provided for in section 87(1)(b) of the Act, a shiftworker is a 7 day shiftworker who is regularly rostered to work on Sundays and public holidays.
(a) Before the start of an employee's annual leave, the employer must pay the employee for the employee’s period of leave at the employee’s minimum rate of pay at the time the employee takes leave.
(b) In addition, the employer must pay the employee the greater of:
(i) a loading of 17.5% of the amount payable under clause 24.3(a); or
(ii) the weekend penalty rate payments the employee would have received in respect of ordinary hours of work had the employee not been on leave during the relevant period; or
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).
24.4 Electronic funds transfer (EFT) payment of annual leave
Despite anything else in clause 24, an employee paid by electronic funds transfer (EFT) may be paid in accordance with their usual pay cycle while on paid annual leave.
24.5 Direction to take annual leave during shutdown
[24.5 renamed and substituted by PR751093 ppc 01May23]
(a) Clause 24.5 applies if an employer:
(i) intends to shut down all or part of its operation for a particular period for the purpose of allowing annual leave to the employees concerned or a majority of them (temporary shutdown period); and
(ii) wishes to require affected employees to take paid annual leave during that period.
(c) The employer must give written notice of a temporary shutdown period to any employee who is engaged after the notice is given under clause 24.5(b) and who will be affected by that period as soon as reasonably practicable after the employee is engaged.
(e) A direction by the employer under clause 24.5(d):
(i) must be in writing; and
(ii) must be reasonable.
(f) The employee must take paid annual leave in accordance with a direction under clause 24.5(d).
(g) In respect of any part of a temporary shutdown period which is not the subject of a direction under clause 24.5(d), an employer and an employee may agree, in writing, for the employee to take leave without pay during that part of the temporary shutdown period.
(h) An employee may take annual leave in advance during a temporary shutdown period in accordance with an agreement under clause 24.6.
(i) In determining the amount of paid annual leave to which an employee has accrued an entitlement, any period of paid annual leave taken in advance by the employee, in accordance with an agreement under clause 24.6, to which an entitlement has not been accrued, is to be taken into account.
(j) Clauses 24.8 to 24.10 do not apply to a period of annual leave that an employee is required to take during a temporary shutdown period in accordance with clause 24.5.
(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 24.6 is set out at Schedule F—Agreement to Take Annual Leave in Advance. There is no requirement to use the form of agreement set out at Schedule F—Agreement to Take Annual Leave in Advance.
(c) The employer must keep a copy of any agreement under clause 24.6 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 24.6, 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.
24.7 Cashing out of annual leave
(a) Paid annual leave must not be cashed out except in accordance with an agreement under clause 24.7.
(b) Each cashing out of a particular amount of paid annual leave must be the subject of a separate agreement under clause 24.7.
(d) An agreement under clause 24.7 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 24.7 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 24.7 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 24.7.
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 24.7.
NOTE 3: An example of the type of agreement required by clause 24.7 is set out at Schedule G—Agreement to Cash Out Annual Leave. There is no requirement to use the form of agreement set out at Schedule G—Agreement to Cash Out Annual Leave.
24.8 Excessive leave accruals: general provision
NOTE: Clauses 24.8 to 24.10 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 the Act.
(a) An employee has an excessive leave accrual if the employee has accrued more than 8 weeks’ paid annual leave (or 10 weeks’ paid annual leave for a shiftworker, as defined by clause 24.2).
(c) Clause 24.9 sets out how an employer may direct an employee who has an excessive leave accrual to take paid annual leave.
(d) Clause 24.10 sets out how an employee who has an excessive leave accrual may require an employer to grant paid annual leave requested by the employee.
24.9 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 24.8(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 24.9(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 24.8, 24.9 or 24.10 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 clause 24.9(a) that is in effect.
(d) An employee to whom a direction has been given under clause 24.9(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 24.9(d) may result in the direction ceasing to have effect. See clause 24.9(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.
24.10 Excessive leave accruals: request by employee for leave
(a) If an employee has genuinely tried to reach agreement with an employer under clause 24.8(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 24.10(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 24.9(a) that, when any other paid annual leave arrangements (whether made under clause 24.8, 24.9 or 24.10 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 24.10(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 24.8, 24.9 or 24.10 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 24.10(a) more than 4 weeks’ paid annual leave (or 5 weeks’ paid annual leave for a shiftworker, as defined by clause 24.2) in any period of 12 months.
(e) The employer must grant paid annual leave requested by a notice under clause 24.10(a).
25. Personal/carer’s leave and compassionate leave
Personal/carer’s leave and compassionate leave are provided for in the NES.
26. Parental leave and related entitlements
[26 varied by PR763289 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 32—Dispute resolution and/or under section 76B of the Act.
Community service leave is provided for in the NES.
28. Family and domestic violence leave
[28—Unpaid family and domestic violence leave renamed and substituted by PR750547 ppc 15Mar23]
Family and domestic violence leave is provided for in the NES.
NOTE 1: Information provided to employers concerning an employee’s experience of family and domestic violence is sensitive and if mishandled can have adverse consequences for the employee. Employers are subject to confidentiality requirements regarding the handling of this information under section 106C of the Act and requirements as to what can be reported on payslips pursuant to regulations 3.47 and 3.48 of the Fair Work Regulations 2009.
NOTE 2: Depending upon the circumstances, evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person of the employee’s need to take family and domestic violence leave may include a document issued by the police service, a court or family violence support service, or a statutory declaration.
[Varied by PR747405]
29.1 Public holiday entitlements are provided for in the NES. These provisions are in addition to those provided for in the NES.
29.2 Substitution of public holidays
(a) An employer and employee may agree to substitute another day for a day that would otherwise be a public holiday under the NES.
(b) 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.
29.3 Rostered day off falling on a public holiday
[29.3(a) substituted by PR747405 ppc 14Nov22]
(a) An employee who is entitled to a rostered day off which falls on a public holiday prescribed by clause 29, will be granted an alternative day or part-day off. The alternate day or part-day off is to be determined by mutual agreement between the employer and the employee.
(b) If mutual agreement is not reached then clause 32—Dispute resolution will apply.
[29.4 deleted by PR747405 ppc 14Nov22]
Part 7—Workplace Delegates, Consultation and Dispute Resolution
[Part 7—Consultation and Dispute Resolution renamed by PR774805 from 01Jul24]
29A. Workplace delegates’ rights
[29A inserted by PR774805 from 01Jul24]
29A.1 Clause 29A 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 29A.
29A.2 In clause 29A:
(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.
29A.3 Before exercising entitlements under clause 29A, 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.
29A.4 An employee who ceases to be a workplace delegate must give written notice to the employer within 14 days.
29A.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.
29A.6 Entitlement to reasonable communication
(a) A workplace delegate may communicate with eligible employees for the purpose of representing their industrial interests under clause 29A.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.
29A.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 29A.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.
29A.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.
29A.9 Exercise of entitlements under clause 29A
(a) A workplace delegate’s entitlements under clause 29A 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 29A 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 29A 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 29A.
30. Consultation about major workplace change
30.1 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.
30.2 For the purposes of the discussion under clause 30.1(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.
30.3 Clause 30.2 does not require an employer to disclose any confidential information if its disclosure would be contrary to the employer’s interests.
30.4 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 30.1(b).
30.5 In clause 30 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.
30.6 Where this award makes provision for alteration of any of the matters defined at clause 30.5, such alteration is taken not to have significant effect.
31. Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work
31.1 Clause 31 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.
31.3 For the purpose of the consultation, the employer must:
(a) provide to the employees and representatives mentioned in clause 31.2 information about the proposed change (for example, information about the nature of the change and when it is to begin); and
31.4 The employer must consider any views given under clause 31.3(b).
31.5 Clause 31 is to be read in conjunction with any other provisions of this award concerning the scheduling of work or the giving of notice.
[Varied by PR763289, PR777318, PR778057]
32.1 Clause 32 sets out the procedures to be followed if a dispute arises about a matter under this award or in relation to the NES.
32.3 If the dispute is not resolved through discussion as mentioned in clause 32.2, 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.
32.4 If the dispute is unable to be resolved at the workplace and all appropriate steps have been taken under clauses 32.2 and 32.3, a party to the dispute may refer it to the Fair Work Commission.
32.5 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.
32.6 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.
32.7 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 32.
32.8 While procedures are being followed under clause 32 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.
32.9 Clause 32.8 is subject to any applicable work health and safety legislation.
[Note 1 and Note 2 inserted by PR763289; deleted by PR778057 from 26Aug24]
[Note inserted by PR778057 from 26Aug24; varied by PR777318 from 27Aug24]
NOTE: In addition to clause 32, the Act contains dispute resolution procedures as follows:
For a dispute about rights under the Act to |
Section |
Request flexible working arrangements |
65B |
Change casual employment status |
66M |
Request an extension to unpaid parental leave |
76B |
Exercise an employee’s right to disconnect |
333N |
Part 8—Termination of employment and Redundancy
NOTE: The NES sets out requirements for notice of termination by an employer. See sections 117 and 123 of the Act.
33.1 Notice of termination by an employee
(a) Clause 33.1 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.
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 33.1(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 33.1(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 33.1(b), then no deduction can be made under clause 33.1(d).
(f) Any deduction made under clause 33.1(d) must not be unreasonable in the circumstances.
(a) Where an employer has given notice of termination to an employee, the employee must be allowed time off without loss of pay of up to one day for the purpose of seeking other employment.
(b) The time off under clause 33.2 is to be taken at times that are convenient to the employee after consultation with the employer.
NOTE: Redundancy pay is provided for in the NES. See section 119 to 123 of the Act.
34.1 Transfer to lower paid duties on redundancy
(a) Clause 34.1 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 34.1(c).
(c) If the employer acts as mentioned in clause 34.1(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 penalty 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 penalty rates and penalty rates applicable to ordinary hours) of the employee in the second role for the period for which notice was not given.
34.2 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 34 or under section 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.
34.3 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 34.3(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 34.3(b).
(d) An employee who fails to produce proof when required under clause 34.3(b) is not entitled to be paid for the time off.
(e) This entitlement applies instead of clause 33.2.
Schedule A—Classification Definitions
A.1 Storeworker grade 1
A.1.1 Point of entry
New employee.
A.1.2 Skills/duties
(a) Responsible for the quality of their own work subject to detailed direction.
(b) Works in a team environment and/or under routine supervision.
(c) Undertakes duties in a safe and responsible manner.
(d) Exercises discretion within their level of skills and training.
(e) Possesses basic interpersonal and communication skills.
(f) Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:
(i) storing and packing of goods and materials in accordance with appropriate procedures and/or regulations;
(ii) preparation and receipt of appropriate documentation including liaison with suppliers;
(iii) allocating and retrieving goods from specific warehouse areas;
(iv) basic operation of computer terminal or similar equipment;
(v) periodic stock-checks;
(vi) responsible for housekeeping in own work environment; and
(vii) use of non-licensed material handling equipment.
Steel Distributing employees:
(viii) Basic repair and preparation for use of pallets.
(ix) maintaining the work area housekeeping;
(x) assisting etc. (basic);
(xi) crane chasing (basic);
(xii) crane operating (basic);
(xiii) fork-lift driving (basic);
(xiv) manual strapping and packing;
(xv) receiving goods, assembling orders, picking for processing (basic);
(xvi) ensuring good order of equipment (maintenance, trouble shooting) (basic);
(xvii) handling paperwork;
(xviii) setting up and operating a simple machine (saw, cropper, punch, straightline cutter); and
(xix) driving A (trucks, non-articulated vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes, GVM).
A.2 Storeworker grade 2
A.2.1 Points of entry
(a) Storeworker grade 1.
(b) Proven and demonstrated skills (including as appropriate, appropriate certification) to the level required of this grade.
A.2.2 Skills/duties
(a) Able to understand detailed instructions and work from procedures.
(b) Able to co-ordinate work in a team environment under limited supervision.
(c) Responsible for quality of their own work.
(d) Possesses sound interpersonal and communication skills.
(e) Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:
(i) licensed operation of all appropriate materials handling equipment;
(ii) use of tools and equipment within the warehouse (basic non-trades maintenance); and
(iii) computer terminal operation at a level higher than that of an employee at Storeworker grade 1.
Steel Distributing employees:
(iv) driving B (trucks);
(v) crane chasing (advanced);
(vi) crane operating (advanced);
(vii) fork-lift driving (advanced);
(viii) receiving goods, assembling orders, picking for processing (advanced);
(ix) assisting (advanced);
(x) ensuring good order of equipment (maintenance, trouble shooting) (advanced); and
(xi) setting up and operating a mid-range machine (automatic saw, guillotine).
A.3 Storeworker grade 3
A.3.1 Points of entry
(a) Storeworker grade 2.
(b) Proven and demonstrated skills (including as appropriate, appropriate certification) to the level required of this grade.
A.3.2 Skills/duties
(a) Understands and is responsible for quality control standards.
(b) Possesses an advanced level of interpersonal and communication skills.
(c) Competent keyboard skills.
(d) Sound working knowledge of all warehousing/stores duties performed at levels below this grade, exercises discretion within scope of this grade.
(e) May perform work requiring minimal supervision either individually or in a team environment.
(f) Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:
(i) use of a computer terminal for purposes such as the maintenance of a deposit storage system, information input/retrieval, etc. at a level higher than grade 2;
(ii) operation of all materials handling equipment under licence;
(iii) development and refinement of a store layout including proper location of goods and their receipt and dispatch; and
(iv) employee who is responsible for the supervision of and the responsibility for the conduct of work of up to 10 employees.
Steel Distributing employees:
(v) setting up and operating a complex machine (plasma cutter, profile cutter); and
(vi) driving C (trucks).
A.4 Storeworker grade 4
A.4.1 Points of entry
(a) Storeworker grade 3.
(b) Proven and demonstrated skills to the level required of this grade.
A.4.2 Skills/duties
(a) Implements quality control techniques and procedures.
(b) Understands and is responsible for a warehouse or a large section of a warehouse.
(c) Highly developed level of interpersonal and communication skills.
(d) Ability to supervise and provide direction and guidance to other employees including the ability to assist in the provision of on-the-job training and induction.
(e) Exercises discretion within the scope of this grade.
(f) Exercises skills attained through the successful completion of an appropriate warehousing certificate.
(g) Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:
(i) liaising with management, suppliers and customers with respect to stores operations;
(ii) detailing and co-ordinating activities of other storeworkers and acting in a leading hand capacity for in excess of 10 storeworkers; and
(iii) maintaining control registers including inventory control and being responsible for the preparation and reconciliation of regular reports or stock movement, dispatches, etc.
Steel Distributing employees:
(iv) setting up and operating a very complex machine (NC plasma cutter, NC profile cutter, slitter, shearline).
A.5 Wholesale employee level 1
A.5.1 An employee performing one or more of the following functions at a wholesale establishment:
(a) the receiving and preparation for sale and/or display of goods;
(b) the pre-packing or packing, weighing, assembling, pricing or preparing of goods or provisions or produce for sale;
(c) the display, shelf filling, replenishing or any other method of exposure or presentation for sale of goods;
(d) the sale or hire of goods by any means;
(e) the receiving, arranging or making payment by any means;
(f) the recording by any means of a sale or sales;
(g) the wrapping or packing of goods for dispatch and the dispatch of goods;
(h) the delivery of goods;
(i) loss prevention;
(j) demonstration of goods for sale;
(k) the provision of information, advice and assistance to customers;
(l) the receipt, preparation, packing of goods for repair or replacement and the minor repair of goods; and/or
(m) work which is incidental to or in connection with any of the above.
A.5.2 Wholesale employees will undertake duties as directed within the limits of their competence, skills and training including incidental cleaning.
A.6 Wholesale employee level 2
A.6.1 An employee performing work at a wholesale establishment at a higher skill level than a Wholesale employee level 1.
A.6.2 Indicative job titles which are usually within the definition of a Wholesale employee level 2 include:
(a) Fork-lift operator;
(b) Ride-on equipment operator.
A.7 Wholesale employee level 3
A.7.1 An employee performing work at a wholesale establishment at a higher level than a Wholesale employee level 2.
A.7.2 Indicative of the tasks which might be required at this level are the following:
(a) supervisory assistance to a designated person in charge of a defined section/department or team leader;
(b) opening and closing of premises and associated security; or
(c) security of cash.
A.8 Wholesale employee level 4
A.8.1 An employee performing work at a wholesale establishment at a higher level than a Wholesale employee level 3.
A.8.2 Indicative of the tasks which might be required at this level are the following:
(a) being in charge of a defined section/department;
(b) supervision of staff;
(c) stock control; or
(d) buying/ordering requiring the exercise of discretion as to price, quantity, quality etc.
A.8.3 The level 4 classification level shall not apply to employees principally engaged in managerial work including the performance of tasks other than those identified in clause A.8.2.
Schedule B—Summary of Hourly Rates of Pay
[Varied by PR718902, PR729343, PR740770, PR762193, PR773971]
B.1 Full-time and part-time employees
B.1.1 Full-time and part-time employees—day workers—ordinary and penalty rates
[B.1.1 varied by PR718902, PR729343, PR740770, PR762193, PR773971 ppc 01Jul24]
|
Ordinary hours |
Saturday |
Sunday |
Public holiday |
|
% of minimum hourly rate |
|||
|
100% |
150% |
200% |
250% |
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
Storeworker grade 1—on commencement |
24.98 |
37.47 |
49.96 |
62.45 |
Storeworker grade 1—after 3 months |
25.28 |
37.92 |
50.56 |
63.20 |
Storeworker grade 1—after 12 months |
25.57 |
38.36 |
51.14 |
63.93 |
Storeworker grade 2 |
25.80 |
38.70 |
51.60 |
64.50 |
Storeworker grade 3 |
26.53 |
39.80 |
53.06 |
66.33 |
Storeworker grade 4 |
27.32 |
40.98 |
54.64 |
68.30 |
Wholesale employee level 1—on commencement |
24.98 |
37.47 |
49.96 |
62.45 |
Wholesale employee level 1—after 3 months |
25.28 |
37.92 |
50.56 |
63.20 |
Wholesale employee level 1—after 12 months |
25.57 |
38.36 |
51.14 |
63.93 |
Wholesale employee level 2 |
25.80 |
38.70 |
51.60 |
64.50 |
Wholesale employee level 3 |
26.53 |
39.80 |
53.06 |
66.33 |
Wholesale employee level 4 |
27.32 |
40.98 |
54.64 |
68.30 |
B.1.2 Full-time and part-time employees—shiftworkers—penalty rates
[B.1.2 varied by PR718902, PR729343, PR740770, PR762193, PR773971 ppc 01Jul24]
|
Early morning |
Afternoon |
Night |
Saturday |
Sunday |
Public holiday |
|
% of minimum hourly rate |
|||||
|
112.5% |
115% |
130% |
150% |
200% |
250% |
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
Storeworker grade 1—on commencement |
28.10 |
28.73 |
32.47 |
37.47 |
49.96 |
62.45 |
Storeworker grade 1—after 3 months |
28.44 |
29.07 |
32.86 |
37.92 |
50.56 |
63.20 |
Storeworker grade 1—after 12 months |
28.77 |
29.41 |
33.24 |
38.36 |
51.14 |
63.93 |
Storeworker grade 2 |
29.03 |
29.67 |
33.54 |
38.70 |
51.60 |
64.50 |