Monday 8 August - Creating Confidence In How Australians Are Paid

Newsbite - Pandemic Leave

Pandemic Leave Employees covered by some awards can access 2 weeks’ unpaid pandemic leave from 15 July 2022 until 31 December 2022. This follows a recent Fair Work Commission decision to add the entitlement back into these awards. Unpaid pandemic leave Eligible employees can access up to 2 weeks’ unpaid pandemic leave (or more by agreement with their employer) if they can’t work because:

• they’re required to self-isolate by government or medical authorities, or on the advice of a medical practitioner, or
• of measures taken by government or medical authorities in response to the pandemic (for example, an enforceable government direction restricting non-essential businesses).

The leave is available in full immediately to full-time, part-time and casual employees – employees don’t have to accrue it.

Affected awards The awards with unpaid pandemic leave entitlements available are the: ? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services Award

• Aged Care Award
• Ambulance and Patient Transport Award
• Health Professionals and Support Services Award
• Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award
• Supported Employment Services Award.

With the recent increase to minimum wages in most modern awards, it’s a good time to make sure you’re paying your employees correctly.

Newsbite - Minimum rates in the Fast Food Award increased from 1 July 2022

Minimum rates in the Fast Food Award increased from 1 July 2022. The Fast Food Award covers employers in the fast food industry which includes taking orders, preparing, selling or delivering fast food for takeaway or in food courts, shopping centres and retail complexes.

An adult level 1 fast food employee (21 years or older) gets a minimum base rate of:

• Full-time - $23.38 per hour
• Part-time - $23.38 per hour
• Casual - $29.23 per hour.

Employees at higher levels of the award are entitled to higher rates of pay and junior employees get a percentage of the adult rate based on their age and duties.

Check the minimum base rates that apply to different ages and job classifications:?https://lnkd.in/dSbdVuF

Workers Compensation

Leave accruals may continue while an employee is on a period of workers compensation, depending on the state/territory they are employed in?

Newsbite - Plain language updates to Fast Food Award

The Fast Food Award has been rewritten using plain language by the Fair Work Commission (FWC). This is to make it easier to understand and use.

Award changes

As a result of this review, FWC have also made some changes to the award. These changes apply from the first pay period on or after 28 July 2022.

Changes include:

• removing shift-workers provisions to clarify that the award doesn’t apply to shift-workers
• confirming minimum engagement rules for casuals
• updates to the coverage rules.

All other usual award provisions remain the same.

Question:

Can Annual Leave Be Cashed Out?

Answer:

Some awards and registered agreements allow annual leave to be cashed out and provide conditions under which the leave can be cashed out. Most awards or agreements require:

• Written agreement between the employer and employee that is signed by both parties;
• The employee to be paid as much as if they had taken the annual leave;
• Capping the amount of leave that is able to be cashed out to a maximum of two weeks of annual leave in any 12 month period. (This may differ depending on an employee’s award/agreement).
• The employee must also have 4 weeks annual leave remaining after the cash out has occurred.

The agreement must also usually specify the amount of leave to be cashed out, the payment to be made for it as well as the date of payment, and must be signed by a parent or guardian in relation to any employees under 18 years of age. A copy of the agreement should be retained as an employee record.?

Pathways to becoming a certificated Australian Payroll Professional

Certification IV in payroll administration - 10665NAT

Course entry requirements:

You are required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy assessment before you can commence training in this qualification.?This assessment will be forwarded to you when your enrolment is processed.?In addition, you must also complete an oral communication assessment (over the telephone) with one of our trainers.?

To learn more click here.

Diploma of payroll management - 10666NAT

Course entry requirements:

The 10666NAT Diploma of Payroll Management requires that participants have either:

• the 10665NAT Certificate IV in Payroll Administration
• OR
• a minimum of 3 years Australian payroll experience

In addition, you are required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy assessment before you can commence training in this qualification.?This assessment will be forwarded to you when your enrolment is processed.?In addition, you must also complete an oral communication assessment (over the telephone) with one of our trainers.?

To learn more click here.

Interested in becoming a member and accessing the following payroll resources:

• 24/7 digital payroll knowledge portal?
• Dedicated members help desk available to answer?your complex payroll question (phone or email)
• Monthly members newsletter covering changes in legislation?and must know payroll information
• Monthly members webinar covering hot topics including frequently asked help desk questions
• Regular updates from Australian Taxation?Office?and Fair Work Ombudsman?
• Annual Payroll Conference including networking opportunities.

To learn more Click Here.

Learn more -?Click Here.