HR LEGISLATION

Australia has some of the world’s most complex industrial and employee relations legislation.

The Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) and the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is the main employment legislation in Australia.

It governs the employee and employer relationship and are designed to provide a safety net of minimum entitlements, enable flexible working arrangements, and promote fairness in the workplace, and are enforced and regulated by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO).

Sometimes Parliament make changes to the Act by passing amendments, which underscores the importance of having up-to-date HR documentation and processes in place to ensure compliance with current standards.

To further complicate matters, as legislation is tested in court, new precedents are regularly set that will impact how the Act and other legislation affecting employers is understood.

Federal v State

Most employers will be familiar with federal laws covering, for example, equal opportunity, harassment, bullying, and discrimination, which must be adhered to.

However, in addition to these pieces of federal legislation, each state and territory has equal opportunity and anti-discrimination agencies with statutory responsibilities.

We take the complexity out of dealing with these matters.

Our HR consultants will provide straightforward, practical advice to ensure employers are compliant with applicable legislation, regulations and best practice, and minimise exposure to risk for businesses.