A national industrial relations system - the Fair Work system - came into effect in Australia from 1 January 2010. It created
modern awards that replaced thousands of federal and state-based awards.
The new awards cover most South Australian workplaces, with the exception of the state and local government sectors.
On this page:
Awards, pay rates and conditions
Overview of the Fair Work systemPublic sector
Awards, pay rates and conditions
To find out what awards, pay rates and conditions apply to your business and employees you should:
- consult the Fair Work Commission website
- phone Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94
- phone SafeWork SA Help Centre on 1300 365 255.
Overview of the Fair Work system
Established under the Australian Government's
Fair Work Act 2009, the Fair Work system has a number of key features you need to know about as an employer:
- 122 modern awards replace awards in most industries
- transition to modern award pay rates
- a set of National Employment Standards (NES) for all employees
- the provision to all new employees of the Fair Work Information Statement, which can be found on the website of the Fair Work Ombudsman
- state system employers transitioning into the national workplace relations system.
Various transition provisions apply between 1 January 2010 and 1 July 2014.
The Fair Work Act provides a safety net of enforceable minimum employment terms and conditions through the
National Employment Standards (NES). The NES set out 10 minimum standards of employment:
- maximum weekly hours of work
- right to request flexible working arrangements for parents and carers
- parental leave and related entitlements
- annual leave
- personal/carer's leave and compassionate leave
- community service leave
- long service leave
- public holiday pay
- notice of termination and redundancy pay
- provision to employees of the Fair Work Information Statement.
South Australia's public sector remains in the state's fair work system
Employees in the South Australian public sector, including most government business enterprises, and in local councils remain within the South Australian system under the South Australia's
Fair Work Act 1994.[top of page]
More information
On this site
Keeping business recordsEmployer tax and superannuation responsibilities for employeesWorkCoverSAOther websitesOrganisations remaining within South Australia's industrial relations system - SafeWork SA