ARTICLE · 15 MARCH 2006

Considering Amendments To Employment Contracts To Accommodate Work Choices Reforms

DLA Piper Australia

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This Update summarises the reforms introduced by the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005 to help employers to consider the changes they wish to implement.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Brendan Charles

In addition to considering the impact of the reforms introduced by the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005 (WC Act) employers should consider what changes, if any, they will seek to introduce to employment contracts to accommodate the reforms. This Update summarises the reforms introduced by the WC Act to help employers to consider the changes they wish to implement.

Probationary period

One reform is the increase of the qualifying period from three to six months. The effect of this is that during the first six months of employment, or a shorter or longer period (but only if it is ‘reasonable’) as may be agreed in writing between the employer and the employee before employment commences, an employee cannot make an unfair dismissal claim to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

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