Fair Work Australia has commenced its four-stage review of  modern awards, which will address mainly issues raised in applications to vary modern awards.

 

Each stage of the review will deal with a defined number of matters.

 

The first stage, which will be conducted between July 1 and October 31, will deal with:

(i) Full Bench proceedings in relation to:

  • penalty rates in the retail, hospitality, fast food, restaurant, hair and beauty awards (AM2012/8 and others); and
  • public holidays (AM2012/134 and others).

 

(ii) single industry issues raised in 29 modern awards;

(iii) the 38 awards for which no specific applications to vary the awards have been made will be referred to individual members of the Full Bench to consider any proposals to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or to correct errors.

 

Modern awards started on 1 January 2010 and apply to different industries and occupations. There are 122 modern awards and they cover most workplaces in Australia.

 

More information about the Modern Awards Review 2012 is at http://www.fwa.gov.au/index.cfm?pagename=awardReview2012