Current News

Changes to workplace laws come into effect in June under the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act.

The Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act was passed in December 2022, making several changes to the Fair Work Act. Providers should ensure they are compliant with these new requirements before they come into effect. The changes are being phased in progressively, with the following changes commencing in early June 2023:

• Flexible work

• Extensions to unpaid parental leave

• Pay secrecy

• “Zombie” agreements

• Multi-employer bargaining 

Advisory service now available
Labour hire providers are obliged to meet all award, super and taxation obligations set in the Fair Work Act 2009. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Employer Advisory Service provides free tailored advice about pay and conditions to small business owners. Smaller providers can utilise this service to ensure they are meeting their obligations. Learn more on the FWO website

Visit the Labour Hire Authority website for further information on these upcoming changes

Prepare for upcoming changes to workplace laws

• changes to agreement making
• increased access to multi-employer bargaining through single-interest bargaining, supported bargaining and cooperative bargaining 
• changes to extending unpaid parental leave, including giving the Fair Work Commission the power to deal with disputes 
• more employees able to access flexible working arrangements.

Changes to job advertisement regulations

• provider and host obligations under the labour hire licensing scheme
• LHA’s recent and upcoming compliance and enforcement activities
• recent legal and regulatory changes in labour hire
• new resources to support compliance.

Get ready for STP2 reporting

Single Touch Payroll (STP) has been expanded, we have now introduced STP Phase 2.
As an employer, you’ll need to report more information about your employees each pay day. You can do this through your payroll software. We’ve worked closely with Digital Service Providers (DSPs) and most payroll software is now ready for STP Phase 2 reporting. Contact your DSP to check that your payroll software is ready. If you’re not prepared for STP Phase 2, your registered tax or BAS agent can help.
To learn more about the changes to STP, we’ve developed some simple, detailed guidelines to help businesses just like yours get it right. We also have some resources designed to help you with your STP reporting obligations. Visit the ATO website for more information

Need a hand with your employees’ tax and super?
No matter where you may be in your hiring journey, we’re here to support you in meeting your obligations as an employer. We have resources to help you with:

• withholding your employees’ tax
• paying super guarantee contributions
• single touch payroll
• managing employees' fringe benefits
• correctly classifying your workers.

For more information and to check out our top tips for employers, visit Engaging a worker. Remember, tax professionals and BAS agents can help you with your employer obligations.

Changes to labour hire accommodation regulations
Some providers will need to meet new requirements under the Public Health and Wellbeing (Prescribed Accommodation) Regulations 2020. 
or Victorian labour hire providers, this means that from 15 February 2023, all labour hire accommodation:

• must be registered by the proprietor with the local council
• must meet cleanliness, hygiene, maintenance and other standards under the Public Health and Wellbeing (Prescribed Accommodation) Regulations 2020.

While providers may not always be the operators of accommodation they provide or procure for their workers, they are responsible for ensuring they do not place workers in premises that do not comply with applicable minimum standards. These include these new obligations, and the requirements outlined in section 3 of the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018. More information about the changes to labour hire accommodation is available on the Department of Health website.
Visit the Labour Hire Authority website for more information

Red flags: Beware of illegal phoenix activity
LHA has been cracking down on phoenixing - learn more about this highly illegal practice and the warning signs to look out for. Visit the Labour Hire Authority website for more information.

Designed to encourage and empower participants to have an active voice and role in the agriculture sector, both programs support rural women to work collaboratively, explore issues impacting their industries and communities and develop real solutions. Applications for both programs are open until 5.00pm on Monday 27 February 2023.

Visit the Rural Women's Network website for more information on the 2023 Rural Women's Leadership Program, and also the 2023 Rural Women's Mentoring Program