ARTICLE · 21 MARCH 2013

Fair Work Amendment Act 2012: unfair dismissal and other changes

Kemp Strang Lawyers

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The FWA Act implements recommendations from the Review, and other changes arising from consultation with stakeholders.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Nick Noonan (Formerly With Kemp Strang Lawyers)

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The Fair Work Amendment Act 2012 (Cth) (FWA Act) received Royal Assent on 4 December 2012. The FWA Act implements a number of recommendations from the independent Fair Work Act Review, and other changes arising from the Minister's consultation with stakeholders such as members of the National Workplace Relations Consultative Council, small business representatives, the Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Australia. Many of the changes came into effect on 1 January 2013.

There are four key elements to the FWA Act:

Changes to the unfair dismissal regime;
Changes to the structure and operation of Fair Work Australia;
Establishing an expert panel to conduct the annual minimum wage review and to determine the most suitable funds to be listed as default funds in modern awards; and

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