Modern Awards & Wage Structures Guide | Mapien

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Fair Work Commission moves to end Junior Rates for 18+

Discover how the Fair Work Commission's 2026 decision is ending junior pay rates for employees aged 18-20 in retail, fast food, and pharmacy. Learn about the phased changes, the impact on businesses, and what this landmark ruling means for the future of award wage standards.

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September 9, 2025

The Challenge of Award Coverages for Group Training Organisations

Group Training Organisations (GTOs) play a critical role in Australia's apprenticeship and traineeship system, placing tens of thousands of apprentices and trainees with host employers across a range of industries. This employment model however brings complexity, particularly when it comes to determining appropriate modern award coverage.

August 15, 2023

FWC Prefers Employment Relationships Not Contracts

A recent FWC decision highlights that it is the termination of the employment relationship and not the employment contract that is important when determining whether there was a dismissal by an employer. The FWC indicates that the employment relationship may commence prior to the employee commencing their first shift.

Better off Overall | Changes to BOOT

Changes to the Better off Overall Test (‘BOOT’) will commence on 6 June 2023 and are designed to simplify the operation of BOOT while continuing to maintain employee protections. It is important employers are prepared for the changes to enterprise bargaining laws when developing and implementing a new enterprise agreement.

September 8, 2021

FWC Approves Loaded Rates for the Hospitality Industry

A Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (‘FWC’) has varied the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 to include loaded rates. This loaded rate variation will provide added flexibility for employers. However, employers will need to ensure that they comply with the associated arrangements and utilise the most appropriate loaded rate.

February 12, 2020

ALERT: Key Changes to Annualised Salaries Requirements

The Fair Work Commission has recently announced the inclusion of new annualised wage clauses into 22 modern awards on 1 March 2020, placing new obligations on affected employers paying their employees by way of annualised salaries. If you're covered by any of these modern awards, you should also check the application of it to any managers or other employees you consider to be salaried, or “above award."