Changes to the Miscellaneous Award 2020

The Fair Work Commission has recently clarified the way some Award provisions apply, and made minor amendments to the Miscellaneous Award 2020.

What Are the Changes?

Effective 18 June 2020, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has clarified the way some Award provisions apply, and made minor amendments to the Award itself, including:

• The year in the Award name has changed from 2010 to 2020. It is now called the Miscellaneous Award 2020.
• The Pay Rate Schedule has been updated to reflect the new 2020 version of the Award. Some rates of pay may have changed by one or two cents.
• A new clause which summarises which employment conditions can be varied with mutual agreement with an employee.
• Confirms that where an employee is receiving over-award payments, the employee is entitled to receive the higher rate when taking annual leave.
• Confirmation that the first aid allowance must be paid in full to eligible employees regardless of employment status (eg part-time). This allowance cannot be pro-rated.

What Do I Need To Do?

• Check your rates of pay to ensure you are meeting your minimum pay obligations outlined in the attached Pay Rate Schedule.
• If you wish to vary any Award terms, Employsure recommends getting in touch with a workplace relations adviser.
• If you pay above the Award, you should continue to pay employees their ordinary rate when they take paid annual leave.
• If you have part-time or casual employees who are eligible for the first aid allowance, ensure that you pay them the full allowance.

How Can Employsure Help Me?

Not a client? If you need help understanding and implementing these changes, please contact Employsure on 1300 651 415 and we can give you free, initial advice on this topic. If you’d like more help implementing these changes in your business and are interested in ongoing support, Employsure can help you.

Employsure clients affected by the changes to the Miscellaneous Award 2020 have been notified of these changes by email. Get in contact with Employsure if you have any trouble understanding or implementing these changes.