Fair Work Australia
FWA
1 July 2009 – 1 January 2013
Renamed Fair Work Commission in 2013.
National workplace relations tribunal and registry that set minimum wages, made and reviewed modern awards, approved enterprise agreements and dealt with unfair dismissal, industrial action and other workplace disputes.
Names over time
- Fair Work Australia2009–2013
- Fair Work Commission2013–present
How it came into existence
Established on 1 July 2009 by the Fair Work Act 2009, taking over the tribunal functions of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, minimum wage-setting from the Australian Fair Pay Commission, the registry and registered organisations functions of the Australian Industrial Registry and agreement approval from the Workplace Authority.
- Conciliation and arbitration of workplace disputes
- Award making and variation
- Unfair dismissal claims
The AIRC continued until the end of 2009 to finish transitional matters.
- Setting minimum wages
- Wage-setting research and secretariat support
- Industrial registry
- Regulation of registered organisations
- Approval of workplace agreements
The Workplace Authority continued to deal with agreements made under the Workplace Relations Act until 31 December 2009.
Legislation: Fair Work Act 2009
Changes during its life
- 1 January 2010Took over the remaining transitional matters of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission when it was abolished; modern awards and the National Employment Standards commenced.
How it ended
Renamed the Fair Work Commission from 1 January 2013 by the Fair Work Amendment Act 2012.
Main functions
- Annual wage reviews (Minimum Wage Panel)
- Making and reviewing modern awards
- Approving enterprise agreements
- Unfair dismissal and general protections disputes
- Orders about industrial action
- Regulation of registered organisations through its General Manager
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Lineage
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