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Policy and reviews

Information about employment and workplace relations policy and reviews.

Australia's New Workplace Relations System

From 1 July 2009, there will be a new workplace relations system in Australia. The new system is designed to balance the needs of employees and employers.

Comcare review

Comcare is the scheme which provides workers' compensation and occupational health and safety arrangements for Australian Government employees and for the employees of certain private corporations. On 11 December 2007 a moratorium on new corporations joining the Comcare scheme was announced along with a review of the scheme.

Disability Employment Services Review

The Government's review of disability employment services is now complete. The new services will replace the current Disability Employment Network and Vocational Rehabilitation Services with effect from 1 March 2010.

Independent Contractors

On 1 March 2007 the new independent contractors laws came into effect. The laws will give independent contractors greater flexibility in how they run their business.

For more information on the changes call the Independent Contractors Hotline on 1300 667 850.

National mental health and disability employment strategy

The development of a national mental health and disability employment strategy (the Strategy) is a key part of the Government’s response to increasing employment opportunities for people with disability and/or mental illness who wish to work.

New Employment Services

In May 2008 the Australian Government announced it would be introducing a new, simpler and more effective national employment services system. This new system will be launched on 1 July 2009, and will replace the existing Job Network, an outdated system that is no longer suited to the Australian labour market.

Review of DEEWR Social Security Appeals and Litigation Arrangements

On 10 December 2007 the Minister for Employment Participation, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP asked the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to review its social security appeals and litigation arrangements.

Review of the Job Seeker Classification Instrument

Referring job seekers to appropriate servicing is an important part of the effective operation of the new Employment Services system. To this end, the Australian Government is conducting a Review of the Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI).

Wilcox consultation process

Independent contracting and labour hire discussion paper

The then Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP, released a departmental discussion paper entitled: 'Proposals for Legislative Reforms in Independent Contracting and labour hire'

Junior Rates Inquiry

In 1999 the AIRC conducted an inquiry into junior rates of pay. This page provides links to the Joint Government's submission to the AIRC and other sites relevant to the inquiry.

Reasonable Hours Test Case

Commonwealth submissions to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission during hearings of the Reasonable Hours Test Case.

Termination Change and Redundancy

Commonwealth submissions to Industrial Relations Commissions during hearings of the Termination Change and Redundancy Cases.

Workplace Relations Ministers Council

The Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) is a council of federal, State and Territory Ministers responsible for workplace relations matters in their respective jurisdictions.