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Fairness @ work
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, among other things.
There are two industrial relations systems in Australia – the national system and the state system. Both systems have different sets of laws and different minimum entitlements for employees. All private sector businesses in South Australia operate in the national system. The public sector, including most government corporations and local government, operate in the state system. In the state system, minimum entitlements are set out in the State Fair Work Act 1994. In the national system, they are set out in the Commonwealth Fair Work Act 2009 (PDF 1.49KB).
All employees are entitled to receive their minimum entitlements. As well as those set out under the Acts, most other entitlements including pay rates and other terms and conditions are set out in industrial awards.
Some workplaces also have formal agreements (an enterprise agreement) that set out specific conditions for that workplace. An enterprise agreement may replace some award conditions, but overall it must build on minimum and award entitlements, not lessen them.
For more help to determine which system of industrial relations you are working in, and the appropriate award or agreement covering your employment, contact an Information Officer at the SafeWork SA Help Centre. Email them at help@safework.sa.gov.au or call 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
