Workplace Relations Act 1997 (Qld)
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Queensland WORKPLACE RELATIONS ACT 1997 Reprinted as in force on 4 April 1997 (Act not amended up to this date) Reprint No. 1 This reprint is prepared by the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel Warning—This reprint is not an authorised copy
Information about this reprint This Act is reprinted as at 4 April 1997. The reprint— • shows the law as amended by all amendments that commenced on or before that day (Reprints Act 1992 s 5(c)) • incorporates all necessary consequential amendments, whether of punctuation, numbering or another kind (Reprints Act 1992 s 5(d)). The reprint includes a reference to the law by which each amendment was made—see list of legislation and list of annotations in endnotes. Minor editorial changes allowed under the provisions of the ReprintsAct1992 mentioned in the following list have also been made to— • omit provisions that are no longer required (ss 37 and 40) • omit the enacting words (s 42A) • make all necessary consequential amendments (s 7(1)(k)). Also see endnotes for information about when provisions commenced.
Queensland WORKPLACE RELATIONS ACT 1997 TABLE OF PROVISIONS Section Page CHAPTER 1—PRELIMINARY 1 Short title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 2 Commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 3 Principal object of this Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 4 Definitions—the dictionary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 5 References to making false or misleading statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 6 References to engaging in conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 7 Who is an employee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 8 Who is an employer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 9 What is an industrial matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 CHAPTER 2—AGREEMENTS PART 1—CERTIFIED AGREEMENTS Division 1—Preliminary 10 Object of pt 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 11 Commission’s functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 12 Single business and employers taken to be 1 employer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 13 Additional operation of part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 14 Nominal expiry date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 15 Valid majority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 16 Working day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Division 2—Making agreements 17 What this division covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 18 Nature of agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 19 Agreement with employee organisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
2 Workplace Relations Act 1997 20 Agreement with employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 21 Certificate as to requested representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 22 Greenfields agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 23 Time for applying for certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Division 3—Certifying agreements 24 Certain employee organisations not to be heard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 25 Certifying an agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 26 When commission to refuse to certify an agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 27 Other options open to commission instead of refusing to certify an agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 28 Procedures for preventing and settling disputes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Division 4—Effect of certified agreements 29 When a certified agreement is in operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 30 Effect of a certified agreement in relation to awards and other agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Division 5—Persons bound by certified agreements 31 Persons bound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 32 Successor employers bound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Division 6—Extending, amending or terminating certified agreements 33 Extending the nominal expiry date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 34 Amending a certified agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 35 Amendment if discrimination between unionists and non-unionists . . . . . . 48 36 Other options open to commission instead of refusing to approve amendment of an agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 37 Terminating a certified agreement on or before its nominal expiry date . . 49 38 Terminating a certified agreement after its nominal expiry date . . . . . . . . 50 39 Terminating an agreement in a way provided under agreement after nominal expiry date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Division 7—Negotiations for certified agreements etc. 40 Initiation of bargaining period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 41 Particulars to accompany notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 42 When bargaining period begins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 43 Protected action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
3 Workplace Relations Act 1997 44 Industrial action must not involve secondary boycott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 45 Industrial action etc. must not be taken until after nominal expiry date of certain agreements and awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 46 Notice of action to be given . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 47 Negotiation must precede industrial action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 48 Secret ballot for bargaining period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 49 Industrial action must be properly authorised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 50 What happens if application to certify agreement is not made within 21 days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 51 Immunity provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 52 Employer not to dismiss employee etc. for engaging in protected action . . 61 53 When bargaining period ends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 54 Power of commission to suspend or terminate bargaining period . . . . . . . . 62 55 What happens if commission terminates a bargaining period under s 54(3) or (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 56 Powers of commission and full bench when s 55 applies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 57 Awards under s 55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 58 Commission not to arbitrate during bargaining period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 59 Conciliation for agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 60 Employers not to discriminate between unionist and non-unionist . . . . . . . 68 Division 8—Prohibition of coercion in relation to agreements 61 Coercion of persons to make, amend or terminate certified agreements etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Division 9—Enforcement and remedies 62 Penalty provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 63 Penalties for contravening penalty provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 64 Reinstatement and compensation if employer contravenes s 52 . . . . . . . . . 72 Division 10—General 65 Secret ballot on valid majority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 66 Complementary laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 PART 2—QUEENSLAND WORKPLACE AGREEMENTS Division 1—Preliminary 67 Object of pt 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 68 Definitions for pt 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
4 Workplace Relations Act 1997 69 Proposed QWAs and ancillary documents—interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 70 Functions and powers of enterprise commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 71 Protocol regarding employment advocate’s functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Division 2—General rules about QWAs and ancillary documents 72 QWAs and ancillary documents only have effect as provided by this part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 73 Collective QWAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Division 3—Making, amending or terminating a QWA 74 Employer and employee may make a QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 75 Matters to be included in QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 76 Nominal expiry date of QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 77 Period of operation of QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 78 Bargaining agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 79 Amending a QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 80 Terminating a QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Division 4—Filing QWAs and ancillary documents 81 Filing QWAs and ancillary documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 82 Filing requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 83 Employer’s declaration must be accurate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Division 5—Approving QWAs and ancillary documents 84 Additional approval requirements for QWA and ancillary documents . . . . 83 85 Approving QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 86 Approving amendment agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 87 Approving other ancillary documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 88 Enterprise commissioner must issue approval or refusal notice . . . . . . . . . . 87 89 Undertakings taken to be included in QWAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 90 Enterprise commissioner to issue copies of approved QWAs and ancillary documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Division 6—Effect of a QWA 91 Effect of QWA on awards and agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 92 QWA binds employer’s successor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 93 Parties must not contravene QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 94 Conciliation for agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
5 Workplace Relations Act 1997 95 Industrial action by party to QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Division 7—Enforcement and remedies 96 Penalties for contravening this part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 97 Damages for contravention of QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 98 Compensation to new employee for shortfall in entitlements . . . . . . . . . . . 90 99 Injunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Division 8—Limited immunity for industrial action 100 Meaning of expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 101 Limited immunity conferred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 102 Immunity conditional on giving notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 103 Employer not to dismiss etc. an employee for taking QWA industrial action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Division 9—General 104 Hindering QWA negotiations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 105 Persons must not apply duress or make false statements in connection with QWA etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 106 Employer must give copy of documents to employee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 107 Intervention not permitted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 108 Hearings to be in private . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 109 Identity of QWA parties not to be disclosed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 110 Commission must publish report about certain decisions and interpretations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 111 Reports and advice about development in making QWAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 112 Interpretation of a QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 113 Evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 114 Signature for corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 PART 3—NO–DISADVANTAGE TEST 115 Definitions for pt 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 116 When does an agreement pass the no-disadvantage test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 117 Special case—employee eligible for supported wage system . . . . . . . . . . . 100 118 Special case—employee undertaking approved traineeship . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 119 Special case—employee undertaking approved apprenticeship . . . . . . . . . 101 120 Determination of designated awards for certified agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
6 Workplace Relations Act 1997 121 Determination of designated awards for QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 CHAPTER 3—AWARDS PART 1—OBJECTS 122 Objects of ch 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 PART 2—COMMISSION’S FUNCTIONS GENERALLY 123 Performance of commission’s functions under this chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 124 No automatic flow-on of certain agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 PART 3—FORM AND APPLICATION 125 Form, effect and term of award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 126 Persons bound by award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 PART 4—COMMISSION’S POWERS 127 Making, amending and repealing awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 128 Allowable award matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 129 Limitation on commission’s powers for awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 130 Exceptional matters orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 131 Allowable award matters to be dealt with by full bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 132 General rulings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 PART 5—OTHER REQUIREMENTS 133 Inclusion of enterprise flexibility provisions in awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 134 Some requirements about structure and content etc. of awards and orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 135 Dispute resolution procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 PART 6—EXEMPTIONS 136 Exemptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 PART 7—GENERAL 137 Enforceability of awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 138 Effect of appeals on awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 139 Inconsistency between awards and contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 CHAPTER 4—GENERAL EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS PART 1—MINIMUM WAGES 140 Object of pt 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 141 Meaning of expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
7 Workplace Relations Act 1997 142 Orders setting minimum wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 143 Orders only on application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 144 When commission may make order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 145 Matters to be considered when setting minimum wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 146 Part does not limit other rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 147 Orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 148 Inconsistent industrial instruments or orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 PART 2—EQUAL REMUNERATION FOR WORK OF EQUAL VALUE 149 Object of part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 150 Meaning of expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 151 Orders requiring equal remuneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 152 Orders only on application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 153 When commission must and may only make order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 154 Immediate or progressive introduction of equal remuneration . . . . . . . . . . . 122 155 Employer not to reduce remuneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 156 Part does not limit other rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 157 Applications under this part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 PART 3—PARENTAL LEAVE Division 1—Preliminary 158 Object of pt 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 159 Basic principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 160 Definitions for pt 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Division 2—Maternity leave 161 Entitlement to maternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 162 Conditions of entitlement to maternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 163 Period of maternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 164 Entitlement reduced by other maternity leave available to employee . . . . 130 165 Taking annual or long service leave instead of, or in conjunction with, maternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 166 Extending maternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 167 Shortening maternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
8 Workplace Relations Act 1997 168 Effect on maternity leave of failure to complete 1 year of continuous service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 169 Effect on maternity leave if pregnancy terminates or child dies . . . . . . . . . 132 170 Effect on maternity leave of ceasing to be the primary care-giver . . . . . . . 133 171 Return to work after maternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 172 Transfer to safe duties because of pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Division 3—Paternity leave 173 Entitlement to paternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 174 Conditions of entitlement to short paternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 175 Conditions of entitlement to long paternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 176 Period of long paternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 177 Entitlement reduced by other paternity leave available to employee . . . . . 138 178 Taking annual or long service leave instead of, or in conjunction with, paternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 179 Extending long paternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 180 Shortening paternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 181 Effect on long paternity leave of failure to complete 1 year of continuous service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 182 Effect on long paternity leave if pregnancy terminates or child dies . . . . . 141 183 Effect on paternity leave of ceasing to be the primary care-giver . . . . . . . . 142 184 Return to work after paternity leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Division 4—General 185 Employee’s duty if excessive leave approved or if maternity leave and paternity leave overlap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 186 Employer to warn replacement employee that employment is only temporary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 187 Parental leave and continuity of service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 188 Effect of part on other laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 189 Entitlement to adoption leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 PART 4—LONG SERVICE LEAVE 190 Definitions for pt 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 191 Source of long service leave entitlement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 192 Approval of long service leave conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 193 Entitlement to long service leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
9 Workplace Relations Act 1997 194 Long service leave in sugar industry and meat works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 195 Long service leave for other seasonal employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 196 Long service leave for employees not governed by awards etc. . . . . . . . . . 151 197 Continuity of service generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 198 Determining length of continuous service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 199 Service in Defence Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 200 Service of casual employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 201 Taking long service leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 202 Taking long service leave—casual employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 203 Payment for long service leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 204 Payment for long service leave—casual employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 205 Payment instead of long service leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 206 Inquiry on re-employment of employee during long service leave . . . . . . . 160 207 Recognition of certain exemptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 208 Person may be “employer” and “employee” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 209 Service in apprenticeship or traineeship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 PART 5—OTHER LEAVE 210 Annual leave accrued during apprenticeship or traineeship . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 211 Sick leave accrued during apprenticeship or traineeship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 212 Continuity of employment for sick leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 CHAPTER 5—DISMISSALS PART 1—OBJECTS AND INTERPRETATION 213 Objects of ch 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 214 Meaning of expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 215 Complementary laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 216 Exclusion of employees from chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 PART 2—UNLAWFUL DISMISSALS 217 When dismissal is unlawful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 218 Application to remedy unlawful dismissal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 219 Conciliation before application heard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 220 What to consider in deciding if dismissal is harsh, unjust or unreasonable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
10 Workplace Relations Act 1997 221 Onus of proof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 222 Remedies and sanctions for unlawful dismissal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 223 Further orders if employer fails to reinstate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 224 Effect of order on leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 225 Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 PART 3—REQUIREMENTS FOR DISMISSAL 226 Notice of dismissal or compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 227 Orders giving effect to articles 12 and 13 of Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 228 Orders if employer does not consult about proposed dismissals . . . . . . . . . 176 229 Employer must notify Commonwealth employment service of proposed dismissals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 PART 4—OTHER DISMISSALS 230 Employee dismissed in December, re-employed in January . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 231 Permissible stand-down of employee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 PART 5—PROTECTION OF INJURED EMPLOYEES 232 Definitions for pt 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 233 Wages to be paid for the day employee injured . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 234 Reinstatement of injured employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 235 Dismissal an offence in certain cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 236 Preservation of employee’s rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 PART 6—GENERAL 237 Chapter does not limit other rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 238 Inconsistent instruments and orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 CHAPTER 6—INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES PART 1—NOTICE OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE 239 Notice of industrial dispute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 PART 2—ACTION FOR SETTLING INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES 240 Action on industrial dispute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 241 Recommendation by consent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 242 Mediation by commissioner or magistrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 243 Compulsory conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
11 Workplace Relations Act 1997 PART 3—BALLOTS 244 Secret ballot on strike action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 245 Effect of ballot adverse to strike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 PART 4—INDUSTRIAL ACTION 246 Nonparticipation in industrial action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 247 Indemnity against agent’s unauthorised actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 248 Payments for strikes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 249 Orders the commission may make . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 250 Commission not to deal with claims for payments for strikes . . . . . . . . . . . 192 251 Right to refuse to work if imminent health or safety risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 CHAPTER 7—INDUSTRIAL TRIBUNALS AND REGISTRAR PART 1—INDUSTRIAL COURT Division 1—Industrial Court continued 252 Continuance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Division 2—President 253 Appointment of president . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 254 When president holds office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 255 Acting president . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Division 3—Jurisdiction and powers of the court 256 Constitution of court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 257 President’s jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 258 Court’s jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 259 Court’s jurisdiction is exclusive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 260 Binding nature of court’s interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 261 Court may refuse to proceed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 262 Decision of full industrial court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Division 4—President’s annual report 263 President’s annual report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Division 5—President’s advisory council 264 Establishment of advisory council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 265 Term of office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 266 Remuneration of appointed members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
12 Workplace Relations Act 1997 267 Functions of advisory council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 268 Meetings of advisory council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 PART 2—INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION Division 1—Continuance, composition and constitution 269 Continuance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 270 Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 271 Constitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Division 2—Members of the commission 272 Appointment of members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 273 When member holds office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 274 Acting chief commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 275 Acting members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 276 Restrictions etc. on appointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 277 Removal of members from office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 278 Administrative responsibilities of chief commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Division 3—The commission 279 Commission’s jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 280 Commission to take account of Anti-Discrimination Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 281 Commission’s jurisdiction is exclusive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 282 Commission may refuse to proceed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 283 Chief commissioner to consider efficiencies that may be achieved by allocating matters to dual commissioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 284 Reallocation of commission’s work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 285 Commission may continue to hear reallocated work without re-hearing evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 286 Decision of full bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Division 4—Commission’s functions 287 Commission’s functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 288 Performance of commission’s functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Division 5—Powers of commission 289 General powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 290 Power to amend or void contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 291 Power to grant injunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
13 Workplace Relations Act 1997 292 Power to direct or order in relation to industrial action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 293 Orders about representation rights of employee organisations . . . . . . . . . . . 212 294 Procedures for reopening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 295 Reference to full bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 296 Case stated to court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 297 Remission to magistrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 298 Power to enter and inspect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 299 Interpretation of awards and certified agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 300 Statement of policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 301 Conducting a secret ballot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 302 Other powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Division 6—Member’s conditions of appointment 303 Remuneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 304 Pension benefits—Judges (Pensions and Long Leave) Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 305 Pension benefits—Superannuation Acts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 306 Leave of absence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 PART 3—INDUSTRIAL MAGISTRATES Division 1—Industrial Magistrates Court 307 Industrial Magistrates Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Division 2—Industrial magistrates 308 Office of Industrial Magistrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Division 3—Constitution and jurisdiction of Industrial Magistrates Court 309 Constitution of Industrial Magistrates Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 310 Magistrate’s jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 311 Magistrates’ jurisdiction is exclusive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Division 4—Powers of industrial magistrates 312 Magistrate’s powers on remission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 PART 4—INDUSTRIAL REGISTRAR Division 1—Industrial registrar’s office continued 313 Continuance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
14 Workplace Relations Act 1997 Division 2—Role of industrial registrar’s office 314 Role of office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 Division 3—Industrial registrar and staff 315 Industrial registrar and staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 316 Functions and powers of registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 317 Functions of assistant registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 318 Delegation by registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 PART 5—ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER AUTHORITIES Division 1—Commissioner may also be member of Australian commission 319 Commissioner may hold other appointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 Division 2—Dual commissioners 320 Appointment of Commonwealth official as commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 321 Role of dual commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Division 3—References to Commonwealth official 322 Reference of matter to Commonwealth official . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Division 4—Conferences and joint sessions with industrial authorities 323 Conferences with industrial authorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 324 Joint sessions with industrial authorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 325 Similar matters before full bench and industrial authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 326 Commissioner’s powers in joint session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 327 Chief commissioner may decide matter not to be dealt with in joint session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 328 Restriction on chief commissioner’s authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Division 5—Other functions etc. and arrangements 329 Functions and powers vested in commission by other jurisdictions . . . . . . 233 330 Arrangements with Commonwealth public service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 PART 6—PROCEEDINGS OF COURT, COMMISSION, MAGISTRATES AND REGISTRAR Division 1—Definitions 331 Definitions for pt 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 Division 2—Starting proceedings and service of process 332 Starting proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
15 Workplace Relations Act 1997 333 Service of process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 Division 3—Conduct of proceedings 334 Representation of parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 335 Basis of procedures and decisions of the commission and magistrates . . . 237 336 Competence and compellability of witnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 337 Intervention by State or Minister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 338 Adjournment by registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 339 State employee to give information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 Division 4—Powers 340 Exercise of commission’s powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 341 Interlocutory proceedings and chamber matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 342 Power to order inquiry or taking of evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 343 Power to administer oath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 344 Powers incidental to exercise of jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 345 Power to obtain data and expert evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Division 5—Decisions and enforcement 346 Decisions generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 347 Reserved decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 348 Commission decisions to be in plain English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 349 Extent of decisions and their execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 350 Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 351 Enforcing commission’s orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 352 Remedies on show cause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 353 Proceeding of commission or magistrate not to be questioned . . . . . . . . . . 248 354 Filing magistrate’s decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 355 Recovery of amounts under orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Division 6—Protections and immunities 356 Protection and immunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Division 7—Rules of court and practice 357 Rules of court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 358 Directions about practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
16 Workplace Relations Act 1997 PART 7—APPEALS Division 1—Appeals to Court of Appeal 359 Appeal from court to Court of Appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Division 2—Appeals to Industrial Court 360 Appeal from commission, magistrate or registrar to court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 361 Court may vary penalty on appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Division 3—Appeals to Industrial Relations Commission 362 Appeals from commissioner to full bench with leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 363 Appeal from magistrate to commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 364 Appeal from registrar to full bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 365 President may stay decisions when leave sought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 366 Decisions on appeal that are final . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 367 Appeal to commission against stand-downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 Division 4—Appeals to both Industrial Court and Industrial Relations Commission 368 Appeals from commissioner to both court and full bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Division 5—General 369 Nature of appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 370 Time limited for appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 CHAPTER 8—ADMINISTRATION PART 1—EMPLOYMENT ADVOCATE 371 Employment Advocate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 372 Functions and powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 373 Delegation by employment advocate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260 374 Annual report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 375 Complementary laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 PART 2—INSPECTORS Division 1—Appointment 376 Appointment of inspectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 377 Limitation of inspector’s powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 378 Inspector’s appointment conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
17 Workplace Relations Act 1997 Division 2—Identity cards 379 Identity card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 380 Production or display of identity card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Division 3—General powers 381 Entry to places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 382 General powers after entering places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 383 Power to require documents to be produced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 384 Power to require information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 385 Power to require name and address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 Division 4—Powers to claim and deal with unpaid amounts 386 Paying employee’s wages etc. to inspector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 387 Inspector’s obligation for amounts paid on demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 Division 5—General 388 Obstructing inspectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 389 Impersonating inspectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 390 Validity of inspector’s conduct despite administrative contravention . . . . . 270 CHAPTER 9—RECORDS AND WAGES PART 1—EMPLOYERS RECORDS Division 1—Definitions 391 Definitions for pt 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 Division 2—Authorised industrial officers 392 Authorising industrial officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 393 Revocation and suspending industrial officer’s authorisation . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Division 3—Employers to keep certain records 394 Time and wages record—industrial instrument employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 395 Time and wages record—non-industrial instrument employees . . . . . . . . . . 274 396 Employee register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 397 Records to be kept in English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 398 Notation of wages details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Division 4—Power to inspect certain records 399 Inspection of time and wages record—inspector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 400 Right of entry—authorised industrial officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
18 Workplace Relations Act 1997 401 Inspection of time and wages record—authorised industrial officer . . . . . . 279 402 Inspection of employee register and index—registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 403 Inspection of time and wages book—employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 PART 2—WAGES AND OCCUPATIONAL SUPERANNUATION Division 1—Interpretation 404 Definitions for pt 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 405 References to service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 Division 2—Protection for wages 406 Wages are first charge on amounts payable to employer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 407 Assignment of amount payable ineffectual against claims for wages . . . . . 284 408 Amounts paid or payable to employer to be applied in payment of wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284 409 Attachment notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 410 Effect of attachment notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 411 Orders for payment by prime contractor or clerk of the court . . . . . . . . . . . 286 412 Employees to be paid according to when attachment notices are served . . 287 413 Employee may sue prime contractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 414 Cessation of attachment not to prejudice prime contractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 415 Discharge by employee for payment received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 416 Remedy of subcontractor’s employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 417 Prime contractor’s right to reimbursement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 418 Magistrate may hear claim for wages ex parte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 Division 3—Paying and recovering wages 419 Wages to be paid without deduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 420 Paying wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 421 Contract not to stipulate mode of spending wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 422 Payment of unpaid wages etc. if employee’s whereabouts unknown . . . . . 293 423 Recovery of wages etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 424 Enforcement of magistrate’s order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 425 Recovery from employee of amounts overpaid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 426 Deduction in default of notice of termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296 427 Minor may sue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
19 Workplace Relations Act 1997 Division 4—Wages in rural and mining industries 428 Wages recoverable against mortgagee if mortgagor defaults . . . . . . . . . . . 296 429 Distress warrant levied on property of mortgagor or mortgagee . . . . . . . . . . 298 430 Application of ss 428 and 429 to mines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 431 Priority in payment of wages earned in mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 Division 5—Occupational superannuation 432 Agreement about superannuation fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 433 Contributing occupational superannuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 434 Power to order superannuation contribution to particular fund . . . . . . . . . . . 301 435 Magistrate’s power for unpaid superannuation contribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 CHAPTER 10—OFFENCES 436 Contempt of court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 437 Disobeying penalty orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 438 Improper conduct towards member of the commission, magistrate or registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 439 Disturbances near tribunals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 440 Contempt by witness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 441 False or misleading statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 442 False, misleading or incomplete documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 443 Obstructing officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 444 Avoiding Act’s obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308 445 Non-payment of wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308 446 Accepting reduced wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 447 Publishing statement about employment on reduced wages . . . . . . . . . . . . 310 448 Offence to offer or accept premiums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 449 Contraventions of awards, certified agreements or permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 450 Injunction restraining contraventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313 451 Persons considered parties to offences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313 452 Executive officers must ensure corporation complies with ss 396, 433 and 445 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 453 Attempt to commit offence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 CHAPTER 11—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 454 General application of jurisdictional provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
20 Workplace Relations Act 1997 455 Evidentiary provisions affecting proceeding under industrial Act . . . . . . . . 315 456 Confidential material tendered in evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 457 Evidentiary value at large of official records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 458 Proof of certain facts by statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 459 Evidentiary value of certificate of trustee of superannuation fund . . . . . . . 319 460 Offence proceedings generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 461 Organisations may start proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 462 Recovering amounts from organisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 CHAPTER 12—EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT OF STATE 463 Application of Act to State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 464 Conflict between industrial instruments etc. and statutory determination . 321 465 Protection of public property and officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 466 Ambit of reference to State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323 467 Representation of public sector units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323 468 Industrial cause affecting diverse employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323 CHAPTER 13—GENERAL 469 Employees working in and outside State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324 470 Student’s work permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324 471 Aged or infirm persons permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 472 Right of entry provisions void . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326 473 Preference provisions void . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326 474 Copy of award and certified agreement to be displayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326 475 Incorporation of amendments in reprint of award or certified agreement . . 327 476 Obsolete award or certified agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 477 Certificate of employment on termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 478 False pretences relating to employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 479 Protection from liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 480 Payments to financially distressed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 481 Notices and applications to be written . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 482 Inaccurate descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 483 Confidentiality of information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 484 Application of Act generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
21 Workplace Relations Act 1997 485 Regulation-making power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 CHAPTER 14—INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ADVISORY COUNCIL 486 Establishment of council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332 487 Term of office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 488 Deputies of members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 489 Remuneration of appointed members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 490 Functions of council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334 491 Conduct of council meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334 CHAPTER 15—SAVINGS AND REPEALS 492 Savings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 493 Regulation and rules to continue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336 494 Repeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336 CHAPTER 16—TRANSITIONALS PART 1—LIMITED CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN CONDITIONS 496 Preservation of certain general conditions in existing instruments . . . . . . . 337 PART 2—EXISTING AWARDS 497 Definitions for pt 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338 498 Exercise of commission’s powers under this part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338 499 Amendment of awards during the interim period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338 500 Parts of awards stop having effect at the end of the interim period . . . . . . 340 501 Limited continuation of awards after the interim period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 502 Amendment of awards after the end of the interim period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 503 Matters to be dealt with by full bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343 PART 3—EXISTING INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENTS 504 Existing industrial agreement continues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343 505 Industrial agreement displaced by QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344 PART 4—EXISTING CERTIFIED AGREEMENTS 506 New termination provisions for existing certified agreements . . . . . . . . . . . 344 507 EFAs that prevail over certified agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344 508 Certified agreements that prevail over EFAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 509 Section 55(4) awards and exceptional matters orders prevail over
22 Workplace Relations Act 1997 pre and post commencement certified agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 PART 5—EXISTING EFAS 510 Existing EFA continues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 511 EFA displaced by QWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 512 EFA displaced by certain awards or orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 PART 6—UNFAIR DISMISSALS 513 Dismissals before commencement of this section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 PART 7—REPRESENTATION RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEE ORGANISATIONS 514 Applications under the repealed Act, s 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 PART 8—REFERENCES AND APPOINTMENTS 515 References to Industrial Relations Act 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 516 Appointments continue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 SCHEDULE 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348 INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS PART II PART III SCHEDULE 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358 FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES CONVENTION SCHEDULE 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT CONVENTION PART I—METHODS OF IMPLEMENTATION, SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS PART II—STANDARDS OF GENERAL APPLICATION Division A—Justification for termination Division B—Procedure prior to or at the time of termination Division C—Procedure of appeal against termination Division D—Period of notice Division E—Severance allowance and other income protection PART III—SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS CONCERNING TERMINATIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR ECONOMIC, TECHNOLOGICAL, STRUCTURAL OR SIMILAR REASONS Division A—Consultation of workers’ representatives
23 Workplace Relations Act 1997 Division B—Notification to the competent authority PART IV—FINAL PROVISIONS SCHEDULE 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380 DICTIONARY ENDNOTES 1 Index to endnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 2 Date to which amendments incorporated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 3 Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 4 List of legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393 5 List of annotations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
s 1 25 s 3 Workplace Relations Act 1997 WORKPLACE RELATIONS ACT 1997 [reprinted as in force on 4 April 1997] An Act to provide for workplace relations in Queensland, and for other purposes CHAPTER 1—PRELIMINARY ˙ Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Workplace Relations Act 1997 . ˙ Commencement 2.(1) This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation. ˙ Principal object of this Act 3. The principal object of this Act is to provide a framework for cooperative workplace relations that supports economic prosperity and welfare by— (a) encouraging, through higher productivity and a flexible and fair labour market, the pursuit of high employment, improved living standards, low inflation, and national and international competitiveness; and (b) ensuring the primary responsibility for determining matters affecting the relationship between employers and employees rests with the employer and employees at the workplace or enterprise level; and (c) enabling employers and employees to choose the most appropriate form of agreement for their particular circumstances,
s 3 26 s 3 Workplace Relations Act 1997 whether or not that form is provided for by this Act; and (d) providing the means— (i) for wages and employment conditions to be determined as far as possible by the agreement of employers and employees at the workplace or enterprise level; and (ii) to ensure the maintenance of an effective safety net of fair and enforceable minimum wages and employment conditions; and (e) providing for rights and responsibilities for employers and employees, and their organisations, that— (i) supports fair and effective agreement-making; and (ii) ensures they abide by awards and agreements applying to them; and (f) enabling the commission— (i) to establish an award safety net based on simplified awards to increase flexibility at the workplace or enterprise level; and (ii) to assist in the making of collective and individual agreements that are relevant to the needs of individual workplaces and enterprises; and (iii) to prevent and settle industrial disputes as far as possible by conciliation and, if appropriate and within specified limits, by arbitration; and (g) helping employees balance their work and family responsibilities effectively through the development of mutually beneficial work practices with employers; and (h) respecting and valuing the diversity of the work force by helping to prevent and eliminate discrimination; and (i) assisting in giving effect to Australia’s international obligations in relation to labour standards.
s 4 27 s 7 Workplace Relations Act 1997 ˙ Definitions—the dictionary 4. The dictionary in schedule 5 defines particular words used in this Act. 1 ˙ References to making false or misleading statements 5. A reference to a person making a statement knowing that it is false or misleading in a material particular includes a reference to the person making the statement being reckless about whether the statement is false or misleading in a material particular. ˙ References to engaging in conduct 6. A reference to engaging in conduct includes a reference to being, directly or indirectly, a party to or concerned in the conduct. ˙ Who is an employee 7.(1) An “employee” is a person employed in a calling on wages or piecework rates. (2) The following persons are also employees— (a) a person whose usual occupation is that of an employee in a calling; (b) a person employed in a calling, even though— (i) the person is working under a contract for labour only, or substantially for labour only; or (ii) the person is a lessee of tools or other implements of production, or of a vehicle used to deliver goods; or 1 In some Acts, definitions are contained in a dictionary that appears as the last schedule and forms part of the Act— Acts Interpretation Act 1954 , section 14(4). Words defined elsewhere in the Act are generally signposted by entries in the dictionary. However, if a section has a definition applying only to the section, or a part of the section, it is generally not signposted by an entry in the dictionary and is generally set out in the last subsection of the section. Signpost definitions in the dictionary alert the reader to the terms defined in the Act and tell the reader where the definitions can be found.
s 8 28 s 8 Workplace Relations Act 1997 (iii) the person owns, wholly or partly, a vehicle used to transport goods or passengers; if that is the only reason for holding the person not to be an employee; (c) each person, being 1 of 4 or more persons who are, or claim to be, partners working in association in a calling or business; (d) for a proceeding for payment or recovery of amounts—a former employee; (e) an apprentice or trainee. (3) A person who is undertaking an industry placement within the meaning of the Vocational Education and Training (Industry Placement)Act 1992 is not an employee. ˙ Who is an employer 8.(1) An “employer” is— (a) a person employing, or who usually employs, 1 or more employees, for the person or someone else; or (b) for employees employed in a department of government—the chief executive of that department. (2) The following persons are also employers— (a) a person carrying on a calling in which employees are usually employed, even though for the time being employees are not employed in it; (b) a person who is managing director, manager, secretary or member of the managing body (however called) of a corporation, partnership, firm or association of persons; (c) if 4 or more persons are, or claim to be, partners working in association in a calling or business—the partnership firm constituted, or claimed to be constituted, by the persons; (d) for a proceeding for payment or recovery of amounts—a former employer.
s 9 29 s 9 Workplace Relations Act 1997 ˙ What is an industrial matter 9.(1) An “industrial matter” is a matter that affects or relates to— (a) work done or to be done; or (b) the privileges, rights or functions of— (i) employers or employees; or (ii) persons who have been, or propose to be, or who may become, employers or employees; or (c) a matter (whether or not an industrial matter as defined in this section) that the court or commission considers has been, is, or may be a cause or contributory cause of an industrial action or industrial dispute. (2) However, a matter is not an industrial matter if it is the subject of a proceeding for an indictable offence. (3) Without limiting subsection (1) or affecting subsection (2), a matter is an industrial matter if it relates to— (a) wages, allowances or remuneration of persons employed, or to be employed, during ordinary hours, on overtime, on special work or on public holidays; or (b) whether piecework will be allowed; or (c) whether employees are to be given particular leave on full pay; or (d) whether and on what conditions employees may board and lodge with their employers, including where it is necessary for employers to provide the board and lodging at a reasonable standard, where it would be impractical not to; or (e) whether monetary allowances will be paid by employers to employees for standing back or waiting time caused— (i) by the conditions of the employer’s calling; or (ii) by the intermittency of industrial operations; or (iii) otherwise; or (f) the length of notice to be given by an employer or employee to the other before terminating employment, and wages to be paid or deducted instead of notice; or
s 9 30 s 9 Workplace Relations Act 1997 (g) occupational superannuation; or (h) the hours of work, the time to be worked to entitle employees to a particular wage, allowance, remuneration or price, or what time will be taken to be overtime; or (i) claims to restrict work before or after particular hours; or (j) the age, qualification or status of employees, or the mode and conditions of employment or non-employment, including whether a person should be disqualified for employment; or (k) claims to have protective clothing or appliances, hot or cold water, or sanitary or bathing accommodation provided for the use of employees; or (l) fixing standards of normal temperatures or atmospheric purity in workplaces, above or below ground; or (m) providing for shorter hours, higher wages, or other conditions for persons employed under abnormal conditions or in abnormal workplaces, and determining what are abnormal conditions or workplaces; or (n) employment of young employees or of a person or class of person, or the disqualification of a person for employment because of age or impairment; or (o) the number or proportion of aged, impaired or infirm persons or other employees that may be employed by an employer, or the lowest prices or rates payable to them; or (p) a claim to dismiss or to refuse to employ a particular person or class of person, or whether a particular person or class of person, ought to be continued or reinstated in the employment of a particular employer, considering the public interest, despite common law rights of employers or employees; or (q) the right to dismiss, or to refuse to employ or reinstate a particular person, or class of person, in a particular calling; or (r) custom or usage about employment conditions, either generally or in a particular calling or locality; or (s) the interpretation or enforcement of an industrial instrument or a permit, unless this Act otherwise prescribes; or
s 10 31 s 10 Workplace Relations Act 1997 (t) the subject matter of an industrial dispute, and a matter that has caused or, the court or commission considers is likely to cause, disagreement or friction between employers and employees; or (u) what is fair and just (considering the interests of the persons immediately concerned and the community) according to the standard of the average good employer and the average competent and honest employee in all matters relating to the relations of employers and employees, whether or not the relationship of employer and employee exists or existed— (i) at or before the making of a relevant application to the court or commission; or (ii) at the making or enforcement of a decision of the court or commission; or (v) the regulation of relations between employer and employee, or between employees, and to that end the imposition of conditions on— (i) the conduct of a calling; and (ii) the provision of benefits to persons engaged in a calling; or (w) a demarcation dispute. CHAPTER 2—AGREEMENTS PART 1—CERTIFIED AGREEMENTS Division 1—Preliminary ˙ Object of pt 1 10. The object of this part is to facilitate the making, certifying by the commission, and operation, of certain agreements (particularly at the level of a single business or part of a single business).
s 11 32 s 12 Workplace Relations Act 1997 ˙ Commission’s functions 11.(1) The commission must, as far as practicable, perform its functions under this part in a way that furthers the objects of this Act and, in particular, the object of this part. (2) Section 335(4) 2 does not apply to the performance of the commission’s functions under this part. ˙ Single business and employers taken to be 1 employer 12.(1) In this part, a “single business” is— (a) a business, project or undertaking that is carried on by an employer; or (b) the activities carried on by— (i) the State; or (ii) an entity established for a public purpose under a law of the State or Commonwealth; or (iii) another entity in which the State has a controlling interest. (2) In this part— (a) if 2 or more employers carry on a business, project or undertaking as a joint venture or common enterprise, the employers are taken to be 1 employer; and (b) if 2 or more corporations that are related to each other for the purposes of the CorporationsLaw each carry on a single business— (i) the corporations may be treated as 1 employer; and (ii) the single businesses may be treated as 1 single business. (3) In this part, a part of a single business includes, for example— (a) a geographically distinct part of the single business; and 2 Section 335 (Basis of procedures and decisions of the commission and magistrates)
s 13 33 s 13 Workplace Relations Act 1997 (b) a distinct operational or organisational unit within the single business. ˙ Additional operation of part 13.(1) In addition to its operation apart from this section to a single business, or part of a single business, of an employer, this part applies, subject to this section, in the same way to any of the following, or any combination of the following— (a) 1 or more single businesses carried on by 1 or more employers; (b) 1 or more parts of single businesses carried on by 1 or more employers. (2) If an application for certification of an agreement by the commission can only be made under this part because of subsection (1), the agreement is a “multiple-business agreement” . (3) Only a full bench may certify a multiple-business agreement under division 3. (4) A full bench, under division 3, must not certify a multiple-business agreement unless satisfied it is in the public interest to certify the agreement, having regard to— (a) whether the matters dealt with by the agreement could be more appropriately dealt with by an agreement, other than a multiple-business agreement, under this part; and (b) any other matter that the full bench considers relevant. (5) Despite section 30, 3 a multiple-business agreement has no effect as far as it is inconsistent with another agreement certified under division 3 4 that is not a multiple-business agreement. 3 Section 30 (Effect of a certified agreement in relation to awards and other agreements) 4 Division 3 (Certifying agreements)
s 14 34 s 15 Workplace Relations Act 1997 (6) Division 7 (other than sections 59 and 60) 5 does not apply to a proposed multiple-business agreement. ˙ Nominal expiry date 14. In this part, the “nominal expiry date” of a certified agreement is the date specified in the agreement as its nominal expiry date, or that date as extended or further extended under section 33. 6 ˙ Valid majority 15. For this part, a valid majority of the persons employed at a particular time whose employment is or will be subject to an agreement— (a) make or genuinely make the agreement; or (b) approve or genuinely approve— (i) the agreement; or (ii) the extension of the nominal expiry date of the agreement; or (iii) the amendment or termination of the agreement; if— (c) the employer gives all of the persons employed a reasonable opportunity to decide whether they want to make the agreement, or give the approval; and (d) either— (i) if the decision is made by a vote—a majority of the persons who cast a valid vote; or (ii) otherwise—a majority of the persons; decide, or genuinely decide, that they want to make the agreement, or give the approval. 5 Division 7 (Negotiations for certified agreements etc.), sections 59 (Conciliation for agreements) and 60 (Employers not to discriminate between unionist and non-unionist) 6 Section 33 (Extending the nominal expiry date)
s 16 35 s 19 Workplace Relations Act 1997 ˙ Working day 16. In this part, a “working day” , for a single business or a part of a single business, is a day on which employees normally perform work in the business or part. Division 2—Making agreements ˙ What this division covers 17. This division sets out requirements that must be satisfied for applications to be made to the commission to certify certain agreements between employers and— (a) employee organisations; or (b) employees. ˙ Nature of agreement 18.(1) For an application to be made to the commission under this division, there must be a written agreement about matters pertaining to the relationship between— (a) an employer; and (b) all persons— (i) who, while the agreement operates, are employed in a single business, or a part of a single business, of the employer; and (ii) whose employment is subject to the agreement. (2) The agreement must be made in accordance with section 19, 20 or 22. 7 ˙ Agreement with employee organisations 19.(1) The employer may make the agreement with 1 or more employee organisations if, when the agreement is made, each organisation— 7 Section 20 (Agreement with employees) or 22 (Greenfields agreement)
s 20 36 s 20 Workplace Relations Act 1997 (a) has at least 1 member employed in the single business, or a part of a single business, whose employment will be subject to the agreement; and (b) is entitled to represent the industrial interests of the member in relation to work that will be subject to the agreement. (2) The agreement must be approved by a valid majority of the persons employed at the time whose employment will be subject to the agreement. (3) The employer must take reasonable steps to ensure— (a) at least 14 days before approval is given, all the persons either have, or have ready access to, the proposed written agreement; and (b) before approval is given, the terms of the agreement are explained to all the persons. (4) An agreement must not be made under this section if it may be made under section 22. 8 ˙ Agreement with employees 20.(1) The employer may make the agreement with a valid majority of the relevant employees employed when the agreement is made who have previously approved the making of the agreement. (2) The employer must take reasonable steps to ensure every relevant employee has at least 14 days notice of intention to make the agreement. (3) The agreement must not be made before the 14 days have passed. (4) At or before the time when the notice is given, the employer must take reasonable steps to ensure every relevant employee either has, or has ready access to, the proposed written agreement. (5) The notice must also state that if— (a) a relevant employee is a member of an employee organisation; and 8 Section 22 (Greenfields agreement)
377 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 3 (continued) Article 17 1. A Member which has ratified this Convention may denounce it after the expiration of ten years from the date on which the Convention first comes into force, by an act communicated to the Director-General of the International Labour Office for registration. Such denunciation shall not take effect until one year after the date on which it is registered. 2. Each Member which has ratified this Convention and which does not, within the year following the expiration of the period of ten years mentioned in the preceding paragraph, exercise the right of denunciation provided for in this Article, will be bound for another period of ten years and, thereafter, may denounce this Convention at the expiration of each period of ten years under the terms provided for in this Article. Article 18 1. The Director-General of the International Labour Office shall notify all Members of the International Labour Organisation of the registration of all ratifications and denunciations communicated to him by the Members of the Organisation. 2. When notifying the Members of the Organisation of the registration of the second ratification communicated to him, the Director-General shall draw the attention of the Members of the Organisation to the date upon which the Convention will come into force. Article 19 The Director-General of the International Labour Office shall communicate to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for registration in accordance with article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations full
378 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 3 (continued) particulars of all ratifications and acts of denunciation registered by him in accordance with the provisions of the preceding Articles. Article 20 At such times as it may consider necessary the Governing Body of the International Labour Office shall present to the General Conference a report on the working of this Convention and shall examine the desirability of placing on the agenda of the conference the question of its revision in whole or in part. Article 21 1. Should the Conference adopt a new Convention revising this Convention in whole or in part, then, unless the new Convention otherwise provides— (a) the ratification by a Member of the new revising Convention shall ipso jure involve the immediate denunciation of this Convention, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 17 above, if and when the new revising Convention shall have come into force; (b) as from the date when the new revising Convention comes into force this Convention shall cease to be open to ratification by the Members. 2. This Convention shall in any case remain in force in its actual form and content for those Members which have ratified it but have not ratified the revising Convention.
379 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 3 (continued) Article 22 The English and French versions of the text of this Convention are equally authoritative. The foregoing is the authentic text of the Convention duly adopted by the General Conference of the International Labour Organisation during its Sixty-eighth Session which was held at Geneva and declared closed the twenty-third day of June 1982. IN FAITH WHEREOF we have appended our signatures this twenty-third day of June 1982.
380 Workplace Relations Act 1997 ¡ SCHEDULE 5 DICTIONARY section 5 “additional approval requirements” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “administer” , for chapter 7, part 6, see section 331. “agreement” , for chapter 2, part 3, see section 115. “allowable award matter” see section 128. “amendment agreement” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “ancillary document” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “Anti-Discrimination Conventions” means— (a) the Equal Remuneration Convention; and (b) the Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women; and (c) the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention; and (d) articles 3 and 7 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (the English text of which is in schedule 1). “apprentice” see VocationalEducation,TrainingandEmploymentAct1991 , section 4. “apprenticeship” , for chapter 2, part 3, see section 115. “appropriately qualified” , for a person to whom a power under this Act may be delegated, includes having the qualifications, experience or standing appropriate to exercise the power. Example of ‘standing’— A person’s classification level in the public service. “approval notice” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68.
381 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 5 (continued) “approved apprenticeship” , for chapter 2, part 3, see section 115. “approved superannuation fund” means a complying superannuation fund— (a) nominated in an industrial instrument; or (b) agreed between an employer and employee under section 432. “approved traineeship” , for chapter 2, part 3, see section 115. “approving authority” , for chapter 2, part 3, see section 115. “assistant registrar” see section 315. “attempt to commit an offence” see Criminal Code, section 4. “Australian commission” means the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. “award” — (a) generally— (i) means— (A) an award made under chapter 3 or continued in force under this Act; or (B) an award as amended under the chapter; and (ii) for a person bound by an exceptional matters order—includes the exceptional matters order; and (b) for chapter 2, part 3—see also section 115. “bargaining agent” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “business hours” of an employer means the hours of operation of the employer’s business. “calling” means— (a) a craft, manufacture, occupation, trade, undertaking or vocation; or (b) a section of something mentioned in paragraph (a).
382 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 5 (continued) “certified agreement” means— (a) an agreement certified under chapter 2, part 1 or continued in force under this Act; or (b) a certified agreement as amended under the part. “certified copy” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “chief commissioner” see section 270. “commission” see section 269. 228 “commissioner” see section 270. “Commonwealth Act” means the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cwlth). “Commonwealth award” means an award made under the Commonwealth Act. “Commonwealth employment advocate” means the employment advocate, or an authorised officer, under the Commonwealth Act. “complying superannuation fund” see Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cwlth). “continuous service”— (a) for chapter 4, part 3, see section 160; and (b) for chapter 4, part 4, see section 190. “court” see section 252. “decision” — (a) means a decision of the court, the commission, a magistrate or the registrar; and (b) includes— (i) an award, declaration, determination, direction, judgment, order or ruling; and 228 As to whether or not a reference to the commission includes a reference to the commission constituted by an enterprise commissioner, see section 288(2).
383 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 5 (continued) (ii) an agreement approved, certified, or amended by the commission and an extension of the agreement. “demarcation dispute” includes— (a) a dispute arising between 2 or more organisations, or within an organisation, about the rights, status or functions of members of the organisations or organisation in relation to the employment of the members; or (b) a dispute arising between employers and employees, or between members of different organisations, about the demarcation of functions of employees or classes of employees; or (c) a dispute about the representation under this Act of the industrial interests of employees by an employee organisation. “designated award” , for chapter 2, part 3, see section 115. “discrimination” means discrimination— (a) that would contravene the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 ; or (b) on the basis of family responsibilities. “Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention” means the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention 1958. “dismiss” , for chapter 5, part 5, see section 232. “dual commissioner” see section 320. “eligible association” means an association that is eligible to be, but is not, registered as an organisation under the IndustrialOrganisationsAct1997 . “eligible employee” means an employee who, under a relevant industrial instrument, is an eligible employee for entitlement to occupational superannuation benefits. “eligible rollover fund” see Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cwlth). “employee” — (a) generally—see section 7; and
384 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 5 (continued) (b) for chapter 2, part 2—see also section 68; and (c) for chapter 4, part 3—see also section 160. “employee organisation” see Industrial Organisations Act 1997 . “employer” — (a) generally—see section 8; and (b) for chapter 2, part 2—see also section 68; and (c) for chapter 9, part 2, division 2—see also section 404. “employer organisation” see Industrial Organisations Act 1997 . “EFA” means an enterprise flexibility agreement continued in force under this Act. “Equal Remuneration Convention” means the Equal Remuneration Convention 1951. “equal remuneration for work of equal value” , for chapter 4, part 2, see section 150. “exceptional matters order” means an order of the commission under section 130. “exercising” , for chapter 7, part 6, see section 331. “existing employee” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “extension agreement” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “Family Responsibilities Convention” means the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention 1981 (the English text of which is in schedule 2). “file” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “filing receipt” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “filing requirements” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “full bench” means a full bench of the commission. “industrial Act” means— (a) this Act; or
385 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 5 (continued) (b) the Industrial Organisations Act 1997 . “industrial action” means a lockout or strike. “industrial agreement” means an industrial agreement under the repealed Act continued in force under this Act. “industrial authority” — (a) for chapter 4, part 4—see section 190; and (b) otherwise—means a commission, court, board, tribunal or other entity having authority under the law of the Commonwealth or another State to exercise powers of conciliation or arbitration for industrial matters or industrial disputes. “industrial cause” includes an industrial matter and industrial dispute. “industrial commission” see section 269. “industrial court” see section 252. “industrial dispute” means— (a) a dispute, including a threatened, pending or probable dispute, about an industrial matter; or (b) a situation that is likely to give rise to a dispute about an industrial matter. “industrial instrument” means an award, certified agreement or QWA. “industrial matter” see section 9. “industrial magistrate” see section 308. “industrial registrar” see section 315. “industrial relations commission” see section 269. “initial day” , for chapter 2, part 3, see section 115. “injured employee” , for chapter 5, part 5, see section 232. “injury” , for chapter 5, part 5, see section 232. “inspector” means a person who holds an appointment as an inspector under section 376.
386 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 5 (continued) “invalid reason” , for a dismissal, see section 217(b). “joint session” means a proceeding in which a commissioner sits with a member of an industrial authority. “law” , for chapter 4, part 3, see section 160. “lockout” means an employer’s action in closing a workplace, or suspending or discontinuing the employer’s business, or any branch of it, or an employer’s failure to continue to employ a number of employees, with intent— (a) to compel or induce employees to agree to employment conditions or to comply with demands made on them by the employer, or another employer, contrary to this Act; or (b) to cause loss or inconvenience to employees; or (c) to incite, instigate, aid, abet or procure another lockout; or (d) to help another employer to compel or induce employees to agree to employment conditions or comply with demands made by the other employer. “long paternity leave” , for chapter 4, part 3, see section 160. “magistrate” see section 308. “management committee” see Industrial Organisation Act 1997 . “maternity leave” , for chapter 4, part 3, see section 160. “medical certificate” , for chapter 4, part 3, see section 160. “member” of the commission means— (a) a commissioner; or (b) an enterprise commissioner. “multiple-business agreement” see section 13. “negotiating party” see section 40. “new employee” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “no-disadvantage test” see chapter 2, part 3.
387 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 5 (continued) “nominal expiry date” — (a) of a certified agreement—see section 14; and (b) of a QWA—see section 68. “obstruct” includes assault, hinder, intimidate, resist or threaten. “officer” of the court or commission, see sections 315(4) and 349(4). “officer” of an organisation, or branch of an organisation, see IndustrialOrganisations Act 1997 . “organisation” see Industrial Organisations Act 1997 . “owner” , for chapter 4, part 4, see section 190. “parental leave” , for chapter 4, part 3, see section 160. “part 3 long paternity leave” , for chapter 4, part 3, see section 160. “part 3 maternity leave” , for chapter 4, part 3, see section 160. “part 3 short paternity leave” , for chapter 4, part 3, see section 160. “paternity leave” , for chapter 4, part 3, see section 160. “party” — (a) for an industrial instrument or permit—includes a person bound by the instrument or permit; or (b) for chapter 2, part 2—see section 68. “pay” an employee includes pay, with the employee’s written consent, on account of the employee. “penalty provision” — (a) for chapter 2, part 1, division 9—see section 62; and (b) for chapter 2, part 2, division 7—see section 96. “period of operation” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “permit” means— (a) a students permit; or (b) an aged or infirm persons permit.
388 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 5 (continued) “person dissatisfied” with a decision in a proceeding means— (a) a party to the proceeding; or (b) a person bound by the decision; or (c) if an inspector started the proceeding—any inspector. “place” means— (a) any land, building, structure, vehicle, vessel or aircraft; or (b) part of anything mentioned in paragraph (a). “president” see section 253. “QWA” means a Queensland workplace agreement under chapter 2, part 2. “QWA date” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “QWA industrial action” , for chapter 2, part 2, division 8, see section 100. “records” means any document containing data. “reduced wages” means wages at a rate less than that provided for under a relevant industrial instrument or permit. “refusal notice” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “registrar” see section 315. “relevant award” , for chapter 2, part 3, see section 115. “relevant or designated award” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “regular part-time employee” means an employee who— (a) works less than full-time ordinary hours; and (b) has reasonably predictable hours of work; and (c) is entitled to receive, on a proportionate basis, equivalent wages and employment conditions to those specified in an award for full-time employees who do the same type of work. “repealed Act” means the Industrial Relations Act 1990 . “rules of court” means the rules of court made, or continued in force, under this Act.
389 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 5 (continued) “short paternity leave” , for chapter 4, part 3, see section 160. “single business” see section 12. “spouse” of an employee includes— (a) a former spouse; and (b) a person of the opposite sex to the employee who lives with the employee in a marriage-like relationship, although not legally married to the employee. “strike” — (a) means the conduct of 2 or more employees who are, or have been, employed by the same employer, or different employers, consisting in— (i) a wilful failure to perform work required of them under their employment contracts; or (ii) a performance of work in a way in which it is not customarily performed; or (iii) the adoption of a practice or strategy resulting in a restriction, limitation or delay in the performance of work or a restriction or limitation of the product of work; or (iv) a ban, restriction or limitation on the performance of work or on acceptance or offering for work; or (v) a wilful failure of the employees to attend for work that is not allowed by the employer; or (vi) a wilful failure to perform any work at all by employees who attend for work that is not allowed by the employer; that is because of a combination, agreement or understanding (expressed or implied) entered into by the employees or any of them and that has a purpose— (vii) to compel or induce an employer to agree to employment conditions, or to employ, or cease to employ, a person or class of person, or to comply with demands made by the employees or any of them or by any other employees; or
390 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 5 (continued) (viii)to cause loss or inconvenience to an employer in the conduct of business; or (ix) to incite, instigate, aid, abet or procure another strike; or (x) to help employees in the employment of another employer to compel or induce the employer to agree to employment conditions or to employ, or cease to employ, a person or class of person or to comply with demands made by any employees; and (b) includes conduct capable of constituting a strike even though the conduct relates to part only of the functions the employees must perform in their employment; but (c) does not include action by an employee if— (i) the action was based on a reasonable concern by the employee about an imminent risk to his or her health or safety; and (ii) the employee did not unreasonably contravene a direction of his or her employer to perform other available work (whether at the same or another workplace) that was safe and appropriate for the employee to perform. “take” a statutory declaration, for chapter 7, part 6, see section 331. “termination agreement” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “Termination of Employment Convention” means the Termination of Employment Convention 1982 (the English text of which is in schedule 3). “termination notice” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 68. “trainee” see Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 1991 , section 4. “transfer” of a calling includes the transmission, assurance, conveyance, assignment and succession of the calling (either by operation of law or by agreement and either before or after the commencement of this Act). “wage rate” includes pay rate and prices for work.
391 Workplace Relations Act 1997 SCHEDULE 5 (continued) “wages” — (a) means an amount payable to an employee for— (i) work performed, or to be performed, by the employee; or (ii) a public holiday; or (iii) leave the employee is entitled to; or (iv) termination of employment; and (b) includes— (i) an amount payable from wages for the employee, with the employee’s written consent; and (ii) a salary. “working day” , for chapter 2, part 2, see section 16. “young employee” means a person under 21 years engaged in a calling (other than an apprentice or a person subject to the VocationalEducation, Training and Employment Act 1991 ) who receives a lower wage rate than that fixed by an industrial instrument for employees 21 years or over in the calling.
392 Workplace Relations Act 1997 ENDNOTES ´ 1 Index to endnotes 2 Date to which endnotes incorporated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 3 Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 4 List of legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393 5 List of annotations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393 ´ 2 Date to which amendments incorporated This is the reprint date mentioned in the Reprints Act 1992, section 5(c). However, no amendments have commenced operation on or before that day. Future amendments of the Workplace Relations Act 1997 may be made in accordance with this reprint under the Reprints Act 1992, section 49. 3 ´ AIA amd ch def div exp gaz hdg ins lap notfd om o in c p para prec pres prev = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Key Key to abbreviations in list of legislation and annotations Acts Interpretation Act 1954 amended chapter definition division expires/expired gazette heading inserted lapsed notified omitted order in council page paragraph preceding present previous (prev) proc prov pt pubd R[X] RA reloc renum rep s sch sdiv SIA SL sub unnum = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = previously proclamation provision part published Reprint No.[X] Reprints Act 1992 relocated renumbered repealed section schedule subdivision Statutory Instruments Act 1992 subordinate legislation substituted unnumbered
393 Workplace Relations Act 1997 ´ 4 List of legislation Workplace Relations Act 1997 No. 1 date of assent 14 February 1997 ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent remaining provisions commenced 27 March 1997 (1997 SL No. 77) ´ 5 List of annotations Commencement s 2 amd R1 (see RA s 37) CHAPTER 15—SAVINGS AND REPEALS ch hdg amd R1 (see RA s 7(1)(k)) Repeals s 494 amd R1 (see RA s 40) Amended Acts—sch 4 s 495 om R1 (see RA s 40) Limited continuation of awards after the interim period s 501 exp 27 September 1999 (see ss 497 and 501(3)) SCHEDULE 4—AMENDED ACTS om R1 (see RA s 40) © State of Queensland 1997
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