Contacts and resources
WorkPlace infoline
If you are unsure of how to find the Australian Workplace Relations system information you are seeking, contact the WorkPlace Infoline on 1300 363 264 Monday to Friday local time 8am to 6pm, or alternately visit Workplace
.
Workplace Authority
The Workplace Authority provides assistance and advice to employees and employers about making agreements and has a website where you can lodge your Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs). You can visit the Workplace Authority website
and access their special resources for small businesses or phone the AWA helpline on 1300 131 090.
Workplace Ombudsman
The Workplace Ombudsman provides protection for employees by monitoring compliance with the Workplace Relations Act 1996
, and instruments such as workplace agreements. While the Workplace Relations ACT 1996
does not itself contain obligations in relation to superannuation, some workplace agreements contain superannuation obligations.
Workplace inspectors engaged by the Workplace Ombudsman ensure that the rights and obligations of workers and employers under the Workplace Relations Act 1996
are understood and enforced fairly.
The Workplace Ombudsman can start enforcement proceedings in the courts, seeking penalties for breaches of, among other things, a workplace agreement.
Read more: Workplace Ombudsman 
Wage Assistance
Wage Assistance provides subsidies to Australian employers who give ongoing jobs to eligible indigenous job seekers. Please note that jobs must meet certain criteria.
Read more: Wage Assistance
Determining the status of a worker for taxation
It is important to determine the status of a worker for tax purposes as there are different obligations under PAYG depending on whether the worker is an employee, labour hire worker or contractor under a voluntary agreement. A checklist to determine PAYG eligibility is available at the Australian Taxation Office website
.
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The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission investigates complaints of discrimination on the grounds of age, race, national or ethnic origin, racial vilification, sex, sexual harassment, marital status, pregnancy or disability. It is interesting to note that by implementing these obligations employers can improve productivity and increase efficiency.
Information on your rights and responsibilities under the federal human rights and anti-discrimination laws of Australia can be found on the HREOC: Information for Employers
page.
State human rights and equal opportunity links
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State and territory awards information links
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Employers’ rights and obligations
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State and territory revenue office links
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