Modern Awards

A modern award is a document which sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment on top of the National Employment Standards (NES). Modern awards provide entitlements such as pay, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates and overtime.

Modern awards apply to all employees covered by the national workplace relations system. Modern awards are industry or occupation-based and apply to employers and employees who perform work covered by the award. Each award contains a coverage clause and an extensive classification structure which assists in determining which roles are covered by an award.
 
Sometimes the task of determining award coverage and classifications can be difficult, especially if your business is covered by more than one award. However, it is important to spend some time doing this as not knowing the law can create problems for your workplace and lead to serious penalties.
 
Managers and even some employees may not be covered by a modern award even if one applies to the industry in which they work and, in that case, the National Minimum Wage and the NES will form the minimum terms and conditions of employment. If the business is covered by a registered agreement e.g., Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA), it is usually the case that the conditions of a modern award are no longer relevant.

Each award is available online at the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/awards/list-of-awards