23 August 2023

Are you providing Fair Work Statements to your new employees?


The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) requires that various documents published by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) – the Fair Work Statements – be given to new employees.

 
The Fair Work Information Statement (FWIS) must be given to new employees either before their employment begins or as soon as practicable thereafter. The FWO released the updated FWIS effective from 1 July 2023.

 
The Casual Employment Information Statement must be given to casual employees either before their employment begins or as soon as practically feasible thereafter.

 
On and from 6 December 2023, employers entering into a contract of employment that includes a term that provides the contract will terminate at the end of an identifiable period (regardless of whether the contract can also be terminated earlier), will need to give the employee a Fixed Term Contract Information Statement before, or as soon as practicable after, the contract is entered into. The FWO is yet to publish this statement.

 
Contravening employers may face a court awarding a monetary penalty for each contravention. The maximum penalty for a body corporate employer is $93,900. The maximum for individuals is $18,780.

 
The Fair Work Statements and further information can be found here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/national-employment-standards/fair-work-information-statement
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/national-employment-standards/casual-employment-information-statement