Industrial Relations Update | December 2024
This Update focuses on the Proclaimed Public Holidays and rates of pay, Workplace Christmas Party Policy, and the wage theft laws to come into effect on 1st January 2025.
CHRISTMAS PARTY POLICY
A sample Policy is attached to this Update.
WAGE THEFT LAWS
On 1st January 2025 new “wage theft” laws will come into effect. An increase to penalty unit amounts applies from 7 November 2024.This means the maximum penalty amounts for contraventions of the Fair Work Act have increased.
It is important to make sure wages and allowances and other award obligations are met.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is in the process of updating its information and we should be able to provide Members with more information in the next Newsletter.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The proclaimed Public Holidays are as follows:
2024
Tuesday 24 December: Christmas Eve: 7pm to midnight
Wednesday 25 December 2024: Christmas Day
Thursday 26 December 2024: Proclamation Day holiday
Tuesday 31 December 2024: New Year's Eve: 7pm to midnight
2025
Wednesday 1 January: New Year's Day
Monday 27 January: Australia Day public holiday
Monday 10 March: Adelaide Cup Day
Friday 18 April: Good Friday
Saturday 19 April: Easter Saturday
Sunday 20 April: Easter Sunday
Monday 21 April: Easter Monday
Friday 25 April: ANZAC Day
Monday 9 June: King’s Birthday
Monday 6 October: Labour Day
Wednesday 24 December: Christmas Eve: 7pm to midnight
Thursday 25 December: Christmas Day
Friday 26 December: Proclamation Day holiday and Boxing Day
Wednesday 31 December: New Year's Eve: 7pm to midnight
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS PENALTY RATES
Award sub-clause 35.5 Public holidays
A farm and livestock hand required to work on a public holiday will be paid 200% of the ordinary hourly rate.
B.2.2 Full-time and part-time farm and livestock hand adult employees |
Casual FLH Adult PH rates |
Ordinary hours |
Public holiday |
Public holiday |
|
% of ordinary hourly rate 1 |
|||
100% |
200% |
225% |
|
FLH1 |
23.46 |
46.92 |
52.79 |
FLH2 |
24.10 |
48.20 |
54.23 |
FLH3 |
24.44 |
48.88 |
54.99 |
FLH4 |
24.98 |
49.96 |
56.21 |
FLH5 |
25.41 |
50.82 |
57.17 |
FLH6 |
25.80 |
51.60 |
58.05 |
FLH7 |
27.17 |
54.34 |
61.13 |
FLH8 |
29.19 |
58.38 |
65.68 |
NOTE:
With keep – $ 155.60 per week may be deducted from the employee’s total weekly wages where keep is provided in accordance with clause 32.3.
Classification Levels refer to Clause 31 of the Award at Pastoral Award 2020 - Fair Work Commission
MEMBERS ADVISORY SERVICE
LSA members are entitled to contact MERS for a free half hour consultation, per member per year. Our telephone number is 08 8331 2422 and email info@mers.com.au
Chas Cini
Principal
We wish you and your family a Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Safe New Year. Our offices will be closed from 23rd December 2024, and we will be returning on 13th January 2025.
Should you wish to contact us during our break please do not hesitate to send an email to this address and I will get back to you as soon as I can.