• Workplace Ombudsman
• Australian Fair Pay Commission
• Workforce planning links
• Further information

Workplace Ombudsman

The Workplace Ombudsman provides protection for employees by monitoring compliance with the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and enforcing penalty provisions.

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 the following:

• The Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard;   
• A workplace agreement;
• An award or order of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC);
• Meal-break entitlements;
• Public holiday entitlements;.
• Parental leave entitlements for all employees in Australia;
• Other terms of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and regulations, such as record-keeping requirements.

Contact the Workplace Ombudsman  for further details.

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The Australian Fair Pay Commission

The Australian Fair Pay Commission is responsible for setting and adjusting minimum wages and casual loadings for employees in the federal workplace relations system. This includes:

• The Federal Minimum Wage (FMW);
• Classification-based wages in Australian Pay and Classification Scales (APCS), including basic piece rates of pay for piece workers;
• Casual loadings.

Employers should examine the details of the Australian Workplace Relations system to determine if they are covered and understand how it impacts their business.

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Workforce planning links

• For more information on the Australian Workplace Relations system  download the relevant fact sheets or call the WorkPlace Infoline on 1300 363 264.

• For information on drafting AWA templates see Helping employers manage workplace agreements

Further information

• For further information on contracts of employment and staff entitlements, visit the Employer section  of Workplace.  

• Aussie Legal  is another useful site providing examples of contracts and useful information from commercial lawyers in their relevant fields.

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