How Do I Know Which Award Is Relevant?

Table of Contents

What Is a Modern Award?
Understanding Award Coverage
Are There Any Relevant Fair Work Decisions?
Can More Than One Award Cover One Business?
What if I Think an Employee Is Award-Free?
Key Takeaways

Many underpayments stem from employers not knowing which award is relevant for their employees or ignoring awards altogether. It is, therefore, important to get award coverage right. In addition to day-to-day entitlements relating to pay, awards may also speak to major workplace changes. This includes:

redundancy; or
when casual employees are converting to part-time employees.

Understanding which award applies can be a complex exercise. This is because:

there are over 120 awards;
they are difficult to understand; and
more than one award can apply to a particular business.

What Is a Modern Award?

Modern awards are quasi-legislative instruments which set out minimum pay rates and terms of employment, such as:

minimum rates;
overtime;
penalty rates;
loadings;
allowances; and
the right to consultation if a major workplace change occurs (e.g. redundancy).

If employees are award-covered, employers must comply with the terms of the award failing which they breach the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

You can find the complete list of awards on the Fair Work website.

Understanding Award Coverage

Each award includes a ‘coverage’ clause that sets out the award’s scope. You should consider the specific language of each coverage clause. Typically, there are three parts to this clause, each which outline:

the type of employers. These are specific for industry awards and broad for occupational awards;
which employees. The award generally outlines this by reference to the classifications; and
any exclusions to the award.

Industry vs Occupational Awards

Employees can be covered by an award if they work within a particular industry or if they have a particular occupation.

For example, the Fast Food Industry Award 2010 is an industry award which covers employers in the fast-food industry. In comparison, the Clerks Private Sector Award 2020 is an occupational award covering employers in the private sector in clerical work.

Classifications

Classifications set out a non-exhaustive list of criteria to determine employees’ appropriate level. Applying the correct classification level to each employee is important for two key reasons:

if the classifications do not capture an employee, the award may not apply. This can occur, for example, if the employee is more senior than the highest level set out in the classifications; and
these classifications will determine the employee’s entitlements, including their rate of pay.

Classifications are based on things like:

longevity;
qualifications;
autonomy;
seniority; and
duties.

When it is unclear which classification applies, the more prudent approach is to apply the more senior classification level to avoid underpayment.

Exclusions

‘Coverage’ clauses typically also include exclusions. Such exclusions may assist with overlapping awards.

For example, this may be where both an occupational and an industry award may apply. The Clerks Private Sector Award 2020 does not cover an employer bound by a modern award that contains clerical classifications. On that basis, if an employee performed clerical duties in the health industry under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, this award would apply as it includes clerical classifications.

Another example is where there may be overlap between two industry awards. The General Retail Industry Award 2020 specifically excludes employees who are otherwise captured by the Fast Food Industry Award 2010.

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Are There Any Relevant Fair Work Decisions?

In addition to the awards themselves, the Fair Work Commission may issue decisions that affect how an award is interpreted.

For example, a Fair Work Commission decision has recently changed the way you must interpret the Miscellaneous Award. Based on this decision, the award now likely extends to cover tutors.

Can More Than One Award Cover One Business?

More than one award can cover one business. This can occur because an industry award’s classifications do not capture the duties that a particular employee performs.

For example, the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2010 classifications do not include clerical duties. So, an administrative assistant may be covered by the Clerks Private Sector Award 2020, whilst the labourers are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2010.

What if I Think an Employee Is Award-Free?

Employees can be award-free.

For example, this could be because they have a very senior position in the company.

However, it is important to be cautious when determining whether an employee is award-free. You could face significant underpayment liability if you determine this incorrectly. This may also be relevant by reference to unfair dismissal claims as to whether an employee is award-free impacts on:

their eligibility to bring an unfair dismissal claim; and
how to conduct a redundancy.

Key Takeaways

Understanding which award is relevant for your employees has a significant impact on:

how you run your business practically (e.g. rostering); and
your legal liability (e.g. underpayment and unfair dismissal claims).

Determining whether an award applies and if so, which one, is a complex exercise which requires a clear understanding of:

your business;
the roles and associated duties; and
how the terms of an award work.

If you have any questions about working out which award is relevant to your employees, contact LegalVision’s employment lawyers on 1300 544 755 or fill out the form on this page.

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