Award Modernisation—Pre-drafting Consultations

The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) has begun consultations in the industries and occupations given priority status in the award modernisation process.

The pre-drafting consultations are taking place over a period of just over two weeks – 4 to 19 August 2008. Exposure drafts will then be prepared for modern awards in the priority industries and occupations.

Details of the consultations including dates, times and locations can be found in the notice of listing issued on 22 July 2008.

The AIRC’s Award Modernisation Full Bench issued a decision on 20 June 2008 determining:

• 14 priority industries and occupations;
• a model award flexibility clause; and
• a timetable for completion of the award modernisation process.

Information aimed at assisting the parties involved in the process can be found in the Award modernisation section of the AIRC website. This section is updated regularly with documents posted the same day that they are received. It includes:

• individual websites for each of the priority industries and occupations (providing access to about 380 documents related to proceedings, including submissions and parties' drafts);
• more than 850 comparative schedules of terms and conditions in awards and other instruments relevant to the priority industries and occupations;
• an interim guide to drafting modern awards; and
• subscriptions to award modernisation updates (including subscriptions to updates in each of the priority industries and occupations).

For further information about award modernisation look on the AIRC website or send an email to amod@air.gov.au.