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What is industrial relations?

This section will provide you with further information about working conditions (industrial relations).

Industrial relations is the term used to cover working conditions such as rates of pay, annual leave, sick leave and long service leave, amongst other things.

There are two industrial relations systems in Australia – the national and the state systems. Both systems have different sets of laws and different minimum entitlements. It is important as a first step that you find out if your employment is covered by the state or the national system. From 1 January 2010, all private sector businesses in South Australia will operate under new national industrial relations laws. Please visit the SafeWork SA website for further information. Youth@Work provides information about the state system, however, further information about the new national system will be included on this website early in 2010.

In the state system, minimum entitlements are set out under the Fair Work Act 1994. All workers are entitled to receive their minimum entitlements. As well as those set out under the Act, most other entitlements including pay rates and other terms and conditions are set down under industrial awards. However, some workplaces also have a formal agreement (an enterprise agreement) that sets down specific conditions for that workplace. An enterprise agreement may replace some award conditions, but overall it must build on minimum and award entitlements, not undermine them.

Some of the South Australian Awards and rates of pay most relevant to young workers are provided on this website. For a full list of State Awards, visit the Industrial Relations Tribunal where you will find a section that you can search on all industrial awards for South Australia.

For further assistance to determine the appropriate award for your work please contact the Information Officers at the SafeWork SA Help Centre. Email them at help@safework.sa.gov.au or telephone 1300 365 255.

Last updated: 21 October, 2010

Telephone 1300 365 255

Employers and employees within South Australia can contact their local SafeWork SA office, or the Help Centre, for the cost of a local call. This service is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm, and on Wednesdays from 8.30am to 4.15pm (excluding public holidays)

Email: help@safework.sa.gov.au