Australia, being a growing economy, has enormous potential is job creation and employment opportunities galore in this land of opportunities.
With the Economic growth spreading wide, the employment opportunities in Australia are spread across various sectors like Industry, Agriculture, Services, Finance, Academics and Manufacturing. The Commonwealth adopts a labour-friendly approach and is interested in getting more workforce from different countries, to cater to the huge demand for labour and skilled workers.
The employment conditions in Australia are well-defined and the statutory laws regarding the terms of employment aim to ensure security and protection to employees, within the framework and works towards a good place to work with.
The following legal frameworks are in line with the above:
- Fair Work Act, 2009
- Fair Work Regulations, 2009
- National Employment Standards
- Fair Work Commission Rules, 2013
- Fair Work Amendment Act, 2013
- Work Health and Saftey Act, 2011
- Workplace Relations Regulations, 2006
- Small Business Fair Dismissal Code
Fair Work Australia, which commenced operation in April 2009, by the Federal Government’s Fair Work Act 2009, is the institution which undertakes Government Industrial Relations.
The Fair Work Commission plays the role in resolving industrial and workplace issues, disputes etc.
The Department of Employment frames National Policies and Programmes, towards the aim of making Australian workplaces safe, fair and productive.
Australian Law ensures that its employees are treated fairly and has stringent regulations to ensure no discrimination is done based on Race, Sex, Age, Gender and Disability. There are separate acts namely The Age Discrimination Act, 2004, The Sex Discrimination Act, 1984, the Disability Discrimination Act, 1992, The Racial Discrimination Act, 1975 towards the same.
The National Employment Standards (NES) sets out minimum standards and requirements for an employer to comply with, with regard to benefits and emoluments to employees.
It deals with 10 National Employment Standards, as per the Fair Works Act, as below:
- Hours of Work
- Annual Leave
- Public Holidays
- Personal / Carer’s Leave
- Compassionate Leave
- Community Service Leave
- Flexible Working Arrangements
- Unpaid Parental Leave
- Notice of Termination and Redundancy Pay
- Fair Work Information Statement
Australia also has a Superannuation benefit. The minimum rate of contribution to superannuation fund for part-time and full-time employees is currently at 9% of the employee’s pay.
Also, for employees who have completed 15 years of continuous employment, the provision to take Long Service Leave is available.
The Taxation, based on the standard set by the Government, is done at the employer level. PAYG Instalments, i.e., Instalments of tax payment due which is deducted from the employee’s salaries, are paid directly by the employer to Australian Tax Office (ATO).
The legal system also sets out minimum notice requirements for termination of employment which is based at 1 week’s notice for employees who are less than 1 year old in the organisation and maximum of 4 week’s notice for more than 5 years of employment. For Executives on Contract, greater period of notice is required and typically it ranges between 1 to 3 months.
For Immigration workers on employment, Subclass 457 Visa is required. The Workplace Laws of Australia provide the basic protection and entitlement benefits for Australian Workforce.
