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ARTICLE · 25 SEPTEMBER 2017

Protecting vulnerable workers – The Fair Work Amendment Act

Cooper Grace Ward
Cooper Grace Ward
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The amendments have significant impacts on liabilities and obligations of employers, franchisors and holding companies.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Belinda Winter
Belinda Winter
Annie Smeaton
Annie Smeaton
Chris Graham (Formerly With Cooper Grace Ward)
Chris Graham (Formerly With Cooper Grace Ward)
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On 15 September 2017, the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017 (Amendment Act) came into effect, arming the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) with greater investigative and enforcement powers, targeting franchisors and holding companies, and significantly increasing penalties in order to protect the underpayment and exploitation of vulnerable workers.

The Amendment Act introduces a number of changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) following a string of recent large retail organisations, including 7-Eleven, Caltex, Coles and Dominos, engaging or involved in systematic underpayment and exploitation of vulnerable workers.

KEY AMENDMENTS TO THE FAIR WORK ACT

The key amendments to the Fair Work Act that will affect employers include the following.

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