Publishing modern awards
Improvements we’re making to our technology and cyber-security will change the way we do some things, including how we publish Modern Awards on our website.
From 4 February 2023, Awards will be published through our Document Search. You will be able to get there from the Find an award page on our website.
You will still be able to:
- browse Modern Awards in alphabetical order
- navigate within each Award using a table of contents
- download a Word version of the Award
- copy and paste from the Award
- see the history of changes to each Award.
You can watch this short video showing you how to navigate through the new versions of the Awards: Changing how we publish modern awards
In the future, we’ll begin to publish data from our Modern Awards Pay Database using graphs and dashboards, providing a visual representation of the information for the first time.
We will continue to improve the way we publish Awards, and always welcome your feedback. We encourage you to email comments and suggestions to us at feedback@fwc.gov.au.
Other digital transformation initiatives
Our Corporate Plan describes some of our key initiatives for 2022-23, which include a number of recent and planned projects aimed at improving access to justice while reducing regulatory burden and complexity.
The genesis of these initiatives is independent client experience feedback and research that we have commissioned over recent years which identified opportunities to enhance our services through user-centred design.
These initiatives are part of our ongoing commitment to transform the services we deliver to the Australian community.
Modern Awards Pay Database API
In 2020 we developed the Modern Awards Pay Database to provide public access to calculated minimum rates of pay, allowances, overtime and penalty rates contained within Modern Awards.
We have worked with payroll software companies, employer and employee peak bodies and government departments and agencies to co-design an Application Programming Interface (API) for the Database.
The API is a digital tool which will enable access to the Database’s current and historical data in a digitally consumable format. It means that data can be integrated into software products, such as accounting products, payroll systems and other pay tools.
New online learning modules
A new online learning module will be released in early 2023 which will focus on preparing for unfair dismissal conciliations.
Research (including Unfair dismissal: User-experience research) indicates that users are often anxious, experience significant cognitive load, and find it challenging to prepare effectively for conciliations. The purpose of the module is to address such issues by providing practical information and targeted exercises to support preparation, with a focus on the needs of self-represented parties and small business.
Our Online Learning Portal and Interest-Based Bargaining learning modules were successfully launched in February 2022. We also released a Sexual Harassment online learning module in December 2022. The module is a helpful resource for employers and employees to improve general awareness and understanding of sexual harassment at work, including about the Commission’s jurisdiction.
New online smart forms – Form F2 and Form F3 (unfair dismissal)
We are developing digitised smart forms for our most frequent application types, to help applicants, respondents, and their representatives by guiding them to provide all necessary information required for a complete application.
The forms have been designed and tested by a range of users, including small businesses. We are aiming to launch the unfair dismissal application form (Form F2) soon, closely followed by the response form (Form F3).
Online smart forms for other matter types will follow throughout the year.
Online portal for managing cases
We are working on the design for an online user portal, which will empower parties to manage their application once it has been lodged.
The portal will help users start online and stay online, with functionality to access case documents, upload correspondence and view important upcoming dates. We are working to launch the portal this year.
Unfair dismissal extension of time animations
Two short animations about the statutory timeframe for lodging unfair dismissal cases will be released on our website after engagement with key stakeholders is finalised in the coming weeks.
The purpose of the animations is to help users unfamiliar with our processes, including self-represented applicants and small businesses, by providing access to the right information, at the right time, in the right format. These animations are intended to be the first in a series of short mobile-friendly videos about a range of specific issues.
Enhancing information about our processes and timeliness
On 1 January 2023, we launched a new suite of correspondence for most major case types to provide parties with more detailed information about the case management process and timeframes for each step.
Applicants will be provided with this information within 3 days of lodging their application.
We have undertaken this initiative in response to user experience research highlighting the importance of providing parties with meaningful information about their case from the outset, to promote transparency and accountability.
Further information about these digital initiatives, and other capability-enhancing projects, will be made available in the coming months.
If you wish to find out more, please email us at communications@fwc.gov.au.