Regardless of whether you are an employer, employee or independent contractor working in Australia, most employment relationships in Australia are now covered by our national workplace relations system known as the Fair Work system.
Some parts of the Fair Work system have been in operation since 1 July 2009. Since 1 January 2010, sole traders, partnerships, other unincorporated entities and non-trading corporations in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania have been covered by the national system rather than their own specific state system. Employers who were already operating under the national system continue to be covered (e.g. Pty Ltd businesses and employers in the ACT, NT and Victoria).
Below are some key links to information pertaining to the Fair Work system, and how you can use it to understand your employee rights:
fair work information statement
All employers in the national workplace relations system are required by law to give each new employee the Fair Work Information Statement before, or as soon as possible after they start their job. Click to learn more.
national employment standards (NES)
The National Employment standards are 10 minimum standards of employment all businesses must adhere to when they employ staff. These are set out in the Fair Work Act 2009 and provide a safety net for all employees in the national workplace relations system.
employers
Are you an employer? The Fair Work system offers you tools and resources to help you through the employment lifecycle, including hiring new staff, managing your employees and ending the employment relationship. Click to learn more.
employees
Are you an employee wanting to know your employee rights? The Fair work system offers information and resources to help you understand your rights at work and what you can do if you’re not getting your entitlements. It includes information about pay, modern awards, the National Employment Standards and the Fair Work Information Statement. Click to learn more.
independent contractors
Are you an independent contractor? There are a number of indicators to help tell the difference. The Fair work system explains and raises other important issues for contractors.
For more information, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website, an initiative by the Australian government, which will have all the latest up to date policies.
