Tip: when working out which award applies to an employee or employer, you must first consider industry awards and whether there is one that covers the industry of the employer and whether the work performed by the employee can be classified under that award.

 

See Award classifications for more information.

When an employer is covered by more than one award, the employee is covered by the classification that best suits the:

• work performed by the employee, and
• environment in which the employee normally performs their work.

If no industry award applies then consider occupational awards, such as the Clerks Award.

You can find out if an award is an industry or occupational award by checking the coverage clause.

Please note that some employers and employees are covered by enterprise awards or State reference public sector awards. For more information see Enterprise and public sector awards.

If no other award can apply, then consider whether the Miscellaneous Award can apply.

An employee will only be award free if no award can apply.

A joiner creates items by combining pieces of wood, engineered timber, or synthetic substitutes.

A cabinet maker is a specialist woodworker who designs and builds cabinetry and furniture.

Award coverage for joiners and cabinet makers depends on the:

• industry their employer operates in
• location of work performed
• type of product created.

There can be an overlap in the work performed by joiners and cabinet makers. Although the roles are different, sometimes the job titles are used interchangeably.

Determining coverage for joiners and cabinet makers can be complex. The information below is general guidance. You may wish to seek independent advice about your own situation.

Joinery Award

The Joinery Award covers employers in the joinery and building trades industries, which includes joinery work and shopfitting.

It also provides occupational award coverage for joiners who aren’t covered by an industry award.

Joinery work

Joinery work means work done in a joinery shop to prepare, decorate and assemble joinery or building components. This includes the prefabrication of woodwork pieces such as cabinets, doors, and staircases.

Only joinery shops located away from an on-site construction project are covered by the Joinery Award.

Joiners under the Joinery Award don’t do any work on-site, such as at a domestic dwelling or building site.

Example

Tvisha works for Draven Kitchens, which is part of the Draven Group. Draven Kitchens designs and manufactures kitchen cabinetry from wood and other materials.

Tvisha is a joiner. She works in the joinery shop, preparing and assembling kitchen cabinets. She doesn’t do any work on-site.

Tvisha is covered by the Joinery Award.

Shopfitting

Shopfitters covered by the Joinery Award can do similar work to joiners. They manufacture shopfronts, showcases and partitions from glass and other materials.

They also work on-site, to install fittings and fixtures in or on a shop building.

Timber Award

The Timber Award covers employers in the timber industry.

The timber industry includes the milling and processing, panel products and manufacturing sectors.

A cabinet maker or joiner covered by the Timber Award is generally performing their duties in the manufacturing sector. They create or repair:

• furniture such as cabinets and chairs, including caravan furniture and in-built furniture
• doors, trusses, and other building products made from wood or timber.

Example

Jaxon works for El Grande Timber and Cabinetry as a cabinet maker.

Jaxon creates custom furniture for clients, including freestanding and in-built cabinetry. He specialises in luxury kitchens and bathrooms, made from the high quality timber.

Jaxon is covered by the Timber Award.

Building and Construction Award

The Building and Construction Award covers businesses constructing, altering or installing woodwork (such as cabinetry) in a construction site work environment. This includes installing kitchen cabinets.

It doesn’t cover businesses that do shopfitting.

Employees can be classified as carpenter/joiners.

Example

Arnie works for Draven Construction, another company in the Draven Group. Draven Construction installs the finished cabinetry made by Draven Kitchens at domestic construction sites.

Arnie is a carpenter and joiner. He works on-site, installing kitchens in new homes. Arnie is covered by the Building and Construction Award.

Tip: While the FWO can provide general guidance, only a court or tribunal can make determinations about whether a particular award applies to an employee.