WorkChoices - Work Choices Changes

Work Choices Changes

For the original act, see Workplace Relations Act 1996.

• The formation of a single national industrial relations system in relation to incorporated corporations, to replace the separate State and federal systems;
• Establishment of a body to be known as the Australian Fair Pay Commission, to decide minimum wages, in place of National Wage Cases at the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC);
• Streamlining of Certified Agreement and Australian Workplace Agreement making, including increasing the maximum life of agreements from three years to five years;
• A reduction in the number of "allowable matters", which could be covered by awards
• Creation of five minimum workplace conditions;
• Exemption of companies with fewer than 101 employees from unfair dismissal laws;
• Exemption of all companies from unfair dismissal laws, where a dismissal is for a bona fide operational reason;
• Increased restrictions on allowable industrial action;
• Mandating secret ballots for industrial action;
• Outlawing pattern bargaining and industry-wide industrial action.