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.

Visit the Fair Work Ombudsman's website for more information about modern awards, including how to find the right modern awards for your employees.

Enterprise agreements

Enterprise agreements set out conditions of employment for a group of employees at one or more workplaces. Enterprise agreements will apply instead of a modern award. The pay rate in an enterprise agreement can't be less than the pay rate in the relevant modern award.

Visit the Fair Work Ombudsman's website for more information about enterprise agreements. You can also contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

Contracts

Common law contracts of employment can also set out wages and conditions for employees who aren't covered by an award or agreement, or to provide conditions in excess of an employee's minimum entitlements. 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. A contract can't provide minimum wages or conditions which are less than those provided in an award, agreement or the Fair Work Act 2009.

Awards and agreements in your state or territory

• Australian Capital Territory and all states and territories

  Find information on modern awards and agreements on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

• New South Wales

  The Office of Industrial Relations provides information on state industries and awards.

• Northern Territory

  Find out about leave entitlements on the Workplace Advocate website.

• South Australia

  Safe Work SA provides information on state awards, wages and conditions.

• Tasmania

  Find out about your legal obligations when employing people on the Business Tasmania website.

• Victoria

  Further details on Minimum wages and conditions can be found on Business Victoria website.

• Western Australia

  Find information on your employer obligations through the Small Business Development Corporation website.