A significant change is about to be made to the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 on 1 July. This change will have a major impact on some businesses, as the scope of roles covered under the Award is set to expand.
What’s Changing?
The Fair Work Commission has updated the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 to broaden its coverage of health professional occupations. Effective 1 July 2021, Health professionals, regardless of the industry, will most likely be covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020.
What Does This Mean for Me?
If you employ health professionals, their employment will now fall under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, unless another industry award which more specifically covers the role applies.
This means the minimum terms and conditions (e.g., minimum base rate of pay, paid leave conditions, redundancy pay, roles of employees and break entitlements) of their employment will be set by this Award.
The most immediate impact this change may have on your business is employee payments. The Award may require you pay a higher minimum rate to some of your employees and begin to pay them allowances and entitlements that you previously did not need to pay.
What Do I Have to Do?
If you engage employees considered health professionals, Employsure recommends you check the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 and identify which of your employees will now fall under the Award. If you can identify these employees, you will need to begin applying the Award’s provisions to these employees. If the role is not listed in the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, however the employee is considered a health professional, the award will still apply.
No action is required if you do not engage employees that may be considered health professionals, or if you currently apply the Award to all employees that are considered health professionals.
Where Can I Get Help?
Employsure can help you understand if this change applies to your business and employees. We can assist you in transitioning your employees to the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, including the provision of templated documents such as a contract and letter to your affected staff explaining the change.
BrightHR can also help you store important documents and otherwise assist as you transition your staff over to the new Award.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Do These Changes Come Into Effect?
These changes will come into effect on 1 July 2021.
Has the Pay Rate Schedule Changed?
No, the Pay Rate Schedule for the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 has not changed.
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