Several important changes to workplace laws and awards will be rolled out progressively over the coming year. Fair Work has updated its website to summarise the key changes and provide a detailed timeline for when the changes take effect. The timeline incorporates changes to the following:
- The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Protecting Worker Entitlements) Act 2023
- The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022
- Aged care sector pay rates
- Supported employment services award pay and entitlements
- The minimum wage increase
- The introduction of paid family and domestic violence leave.
Paid parental leave changes
For babies born or placed into their parents’ care on or after 1 July 2023, the previous entitlement to 18 weeks paid parental leave pay was combined with the Dad and Partner Pay entitlement to 2 weeks’ pay. From 1 July 2023, partnered couples can now claim up to 20 weeks paid parental leave between them. Single parents can claim the whole 20 weeks. The current payment for Parental Leave Pay is $176.55 a day before tax, or $882.75 per 5 day week. The rate of Parental Leave Pay usually changes every July.
For more information: Parental Leave Pay for a child born or adopted from 1 July 2023
Unpaid parental leave changes
The Fair Work Act now includes greater flexibility for employees taking unpaid parental leave.
For more information: Fair Work Act changes: Protecting Worker Entitlements
Fair Work Information Statements
All employers are required to provide new permanent and casual employees with the Fair Work Information Statement. Any existing employees changing from permanent to casual must be provided with the Casual Employment Information Statement with their revised contract.
Download here: Casual Employment Information Statement – Fair Work Ombudsman