Modern Awards are industry or occupation-specific instruments that establish minimum employment terms in Australia. They work alongside the National Employment Standards to form the safety net of minimum entitlements for most Australian employees.
What Awards Cover
Awards typically set minimum wages and classifications, penalty rates for evenings, weekends, and public holidays, overtime rates, allowances for things like travel or uniforms, leave entitlements beyond NES minimums, and arrangements for hours of work including breaks.
Finding the Right Award
Coverage depends on the industry and the type of work performed, not just job title. The Fair Work Commission maintains over 100 modern Awards. Employers must identify which Award applies to each employee based on the nature of work performed and the industry of the employer.
Award-Free Employees
Some employees are Award-free, typically those in managerial or highly specialized roles not covered by any Award. These employees still receive protection under the National Employment Standards and may have an individual employment contract setting their terms.