On 29 March 2023, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Protecting Worker Entitlements) Bill 2023 (Cth) (Bill) was introduced into Parliament. Ai Group was actively engaged in consultations with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations regarding the development of the Bill.

To assist Members, Ai Group has created a guide which provides an overview of the proposed changes in the Bill. At a high-level, the Bill proposes changes relating to:

• Unpaid parental leave.
• Superannuation as a right within the National Employment Standards.
• Payroll deductions for authorised purposes.
• Long service leave entitlements for casual employees in the black coal mining industry.
• Clarification of migrant workers’ rights under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
• Clarification that when a workplace determination takes effect, the applicable enterprise agreement no longer operates.

The contents of the Bill are of course potentially subject to further amendment by the Parliament.

The Bill has been referred to a parliamentary committee for review. Ai Group intends to actively raise any concerns or unanticipated problems that flow from the implementation and operation of the Bill with the Government.

Ai Group has lodged a submission relating to the Bill. Members who wish to discuss concerns regarding the Bill with Brent Ferguson, Ai Group’s Head of National Workplace Relations Policy, should email: Brent.Ferguson@aigroup.com.au.