ARTICLE · 20 APRIL 2009

Transition To Fair Work Australia

DLA Piper Australia

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The past two months have provided some important milestones for industrial relations in Australia. The "Fair Work Act 2009" (Cth) received Royal Assent on 7 April 2009 after marathon sittings in Parliament.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

John Tuck

John Pesutto

The past two months have provided some important milestones for industrial relations in Australia. The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) received Royal Assent on 7 April 2009 after marathon sittings in Parliament. The Federal Government also tabled in the House of Representatives the first of two Bills that address the transition to the new workplace relations system.

Many of the core elements of the new system will commence this year. Now is the time for employers to understand the impact of these laws and opportunities for their business.

As we reported last year, key changes to unfair dismissal, right of entry, transfer of business and bargaining will be operational from 1 July 2009 – a few short months away. The modern awards and national employment standards will take effect from 1 January 2010.

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