Coverage by an award or agreement

Contributed by Clare Ozich and current to 1 September 2005

Some areas of work are not covered by either a Federal or State award: they are award free.

They may also not be covered by any type of agreement. In such a case, the employment will be on the terms and conditions of the employment contract, and subject to any applicable legislation (such as minimum conditions of employment legislation).

For information on whether an employee is covered by any award or agreement, contact unions or employer associations; UnionsWA (the Trades and Labor Council of WA); the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection’s Wageline service (which provides information to the private sector on awards and wage rates) or the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ Wagenet service (see Contact Points for further details).

The Wagenet service is found at www.wagenet.gov.au and provides an on-line tool to determine whether an employee is covered by a federal award or certified agreement. Employees will need to know the name of their employer.