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ARTICLE · 20 AUGUST 2008

Safety Net For Australian Workers - National Employment Standard

Cooper Grace Ward
Cooper Grace Ward
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Recently the Government announced details of the long awaited safety net for Australian workers known as the National Employment Standard.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Heinz Lepahe
Heinz Lepahe
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Recently the Government announced details of the long awaited safety net for Australian workers known as the National Employment Standard. The new Standard, which expands on the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard introduced by the Howard Government and contains 10 minimum employment standards which will form the basis upon which modern awards will be built.

The Standard takes effect from 1 January 2010. In the interim the Australian Fair Pay and Condition Standard will continue to apply.

The new standards govern maximum weekly hours of work, requests for flexible working arrangements, termination, public holiday and redundancy arrangements and parental, carers, annual, community service and long service leave. The terms and conditions of employees who fall under the federal system must meet the Standard.

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