Industrial Awards
Note: Industrial Law is a highly politicised issue in Australia, and Governments frequently make changes to industrial law. For this reason, it is useful to check the latest rules before making decisions about employment conditions.An industrial award is a legal document that sets out wages and conditions of employment for an industry. Awards are usual made by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), a special court for industrial law. In some states, there are also Awards made by state-based courts.
Awards contain minimum conditions of employment, including rules about pay levels, leave entitlements, penalty rates, and hours of work.
Modern Award: In January 2010 the AIRC handed down its decision on the final form of the social and community services award, the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010. This new Award covers employees who were previously employed under the Social and Community Services ACT Award (the SACS Award). It does not cover workers who are covered by an enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) or a multi-enterprise agreement (MEA).
Other awards used in the sector include:
- the Community Employment, Training and Support Services Award 1999;
- the Clerks Award 1998;
- the Community Services (Home Care) Award 2002;
- the Child Care Industry Award 1998; and
- the Community and Aged Care Services Award 2002.
Awards can be varied from time to time. Changes to the award are negotiated by the relevant union and certified in the Industrial Relations Commission. When checking your award entitlements make sure you have the latest version of the award.
The idea behind the award system is to ensure a basic set of conditions for all workers. Awards ensure that all people employed in a specific field are entitled to the same minimum wages and conditions even though their places of employment may vary in size, location, and funding source.
