Awards & agreements

Modern awards

Modern awards are industry or occupation based minimum employment standards which apply in addition to the National Employment Standards (NES). Most industries have a modern award, which covers all employers and employees in that sector.

For more information on award coverage under the modern awards system, visit the Fair Work Online website.

Enterprise agreements

Enterprise agreements set out conditions of employment for a group of employees at one or more workplaces. They differ from contracts because they are governed by Federal workplace relations law and will legally override an award.

Enterprise agreements are made under the new Fair Work Act 2009.

Contracts

Written common law contracts of employment also set out wages and conditions for employees not covered by an award or agreement. As contracts can be changed and updated at any time, they can provide flexibility to your workforce. However, if you wish to change the terms of an employment contract, you must first have the changes agreed to by your staff.