ARTICLE · 20 APRIL 2009

Unfair Dismissal Under The Fair Work Act

Hunt & Hunt

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The Fair Work Bill received Royal Assent on the evening of 7 April 2009 and has ushered in a new era of workplace relations in Australia. This article is the first in a series which will consider relevant aspects of the Act in further detail starting with the new unfair dismissal provisions.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

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The Fair Work Bill received Royal Assent on the evening of 7 April 2009 and has ushered in a new era of workplace relations in Australia.

Most of the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 ("the Act"), including the new unfair dismissal rules will come into effect on 1 July 2009. The remaining provisions, including the commencement of the new National Employment Standards and modernised awards, will commence on 1 January 2010.

The Regulations to the Act have yet to be introduced and will provide further detail regarding its operation. Two further bills were introduced in March 2009 which will deal with various incidental issues including the transition from the current industrial relations system to the new system and will repeal the current Workplace Relations Act 1996.

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