Agreements under WorkChoices

The Federal Government's WorkChoices package continues to unfurl, with additional resource materials now available from the Office of the Employment Advocate (OEA).

All new Workplace Agreements (except multiple business agreements) can be lodged online. The OEA has published step-by-step Employer Guides to lead businesses through the process of making workplace agreements.

The OEA advises that it is not possible to comply with all the legal requirements and lodge a workplace agreement - except a greenfields agreement - before Monday 3 April 2006.

The legal requirements for making workplace agreements have changed, notably:
> Any agreement must comply with the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard.
> Agreements must not contain prohibited content.
> Every employee must receive a copy of the correct OEA Information Statement.
> Every employee must have at least seven days to consider the proposed workplace agreement.
> Every agreement lodged must be accompanied by the correct Employer Declaration Form.

Employers should read about these requirements before making a workplace agreement. If you have any questions, you can call the OEA for help on 1300 366 632.