Glossary

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AG matters

Matters dealt with by the Fair Work Commission in relation to enterprise agreements.

allowable matters

Matters that could be included in awards and agreements under the Workplace Relations Act 1996.

annual wage review

Each financial year the Fair Work Commission's Expert Panel for annual wage reviews conducts an annual wage review of minimum wages, after which it issues a decision and national minimum wage order (for employees not covered by an award or agreement).

The decision and order generally come into operation on 1 July of the following financial year.

applicant

The initiating party to a proceeding before the Fair Work Commission.

APS employee

An Australian Public Service employee, engaged under the Public Service Act 1999.

arbitration

A process where the Fair Work Commission determines a grievance or dispute by imposing a binding settlement. The Fair Work Commission has powers of compulsory arbitration as well as offering voluntary arbitration.

associate

A Fair Work Commission Member's support staff.

AusTender

A web-based application, managed by the Department of Finance and Deregulation, enabling access to Australian Government business opportunities online (www.tenders.gov.au).

Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard

A legislated set of key minimum entitlements of employment for employees in the national workplace relations system introduced by the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005. The Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard (except for wages) ceased to apply on 31 December 2009.

Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC)

An independent, statutory body responsible for setting and adjusting federal minimum wages to promote the economic prosperity of the people of Australia. The AFPC was established by the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005. It was replaced by Fair Work Australia's (now the Fair Work Commission) Minimum Wage Panel on 1 August 2009.

Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC)

Australia's national industrial tribunal from 1988 to 2009. Many of the AIRC's functions were assumed by Fair Work Australia (now the Fair Work Commission) on 1 July 2009. The AIRC ceased to exist and transferred the remainder of its functions to Fair Work Australia on 31 December 2009. Fair Work Australia was then renamed the Fair Work Commission on 1 January 2013.

Australian Pay and Classification Scale (APCS)

A notional instrument, introduced by the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005, which is derived from a federal award and contains rates of pay and casual loadings. These are temporarily preserved as transitional APCSs. A transitional APCS does not cover an employee covered by a modern award.

Australian workplace agreement (AWA)

An individual, legally enforceable agreement between an employer and employee about the employee's terms and conditions of employment. AWAs were replaced by individual transitional employment agreements (ITEAs) and can no longer be made.

award modernisation

A process initiated in April 2008 by the Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. By December 2009 the Australian Industrial Relations Commission had created 122 modern awards. The award modernisation process is continuing under the Fair Work Commission. Award modernisation with respect to enterprise awards is scheduled to be concluded by 31 December 2013.

awards

Instruments made by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission containing enforceable minimum terms and conditions of employment. (See also modern awards.)

adjournment

To end proceedings or to suspend them to another time or place.

appeal

To request that a decision of a single member of the Commission be reviewed by a Full Bench to determine if the decision made is consistent with the Fair Work Act 2009. An appeal can only be made on the grounds that an error of law or fact has been made. A person must seek the permission of the Commission to lodge an appeal by lodging a Form F7—Notice of Appeal.

agreement-based transitional instruments

Agreements which were in force before the commencement of the Fair Work Act 2009 and include:

pre-reform certified agreements made by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission by 27 March 2006
employee collective agreements approved by the Office of the Employment Advocate or the Workplace Authority by 30 June 2009
preserved state agreements
pre-reform certified agreements varied and/or extended by 31 December 2009.

Last updated

14 October 2013

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