A-Z Glossary Workplace Terms

Award coverage refers to whether a Modern Award applies to an employer and/or employee based on industry or occupation in Australia.

The Fair Work Ombudsman is Australia’s independent workplace relations regulator responsible for education, compliance, and enforcement.

Parental leave is unpaid leave available to eligible employees in connection with birth or adoption of a child.

Award-free employees are workers not covered by any Modern Award in Australia, including senior managers and high-income earners with guarantee of annual earnings.

Fixed-term contracts are employment contracts with a specified end date, now subject to significant restrictions from December 2023.

Payroll tax is a state and territory tax on employers based on the wages they pay, with varying rates and thresholds by jurisdiction.

The BOOT is the key test applied by the Fair Work Commission to determine whether an enterprise agreement leaves employees better off than the relevant Modern Award.

Flexible work arrangements are variations to standard working conditions, with certain employees having a right to request under the NES.

Penalty rates are additional payments for working at less desirable times such as weekends, public holidays, and late nights.