Employment and Workplace Relations
Australian Workplace Agreements — encouraging uptake by small business
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Employment and Workplace Relations | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | - |
The Government will provide $12.0 million over four years (including $3.0 million in 2004-05) to the Office of the Employment Advocate to improve processing efficiency and promote the advantages of Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs), and for an education program that will help small businesses take advantage of the flexibility of AWAs.
This measure was announced as part of the Government’s election commitments Flexibility and Productivity in the Workplace on 28 September 2004, and Small Business, Big Future on 5 October 2004.
Indigenous entrepreneurs — financial literacy strategy
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Employment and Workplace Relations | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | - |
The Government will provide $4.5 million over four years (including $0.5 million in 2004-05) to improve Indigenous entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy through the provision of economic development, business skills and financial literacy services. The strategy will focus on remote, rural and regional areas, and involve linking emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs with private sector intermediaries possessing financial expertise.
This measure was announced on 17 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Indigenous Australians — Opportunity and Responsibility.
Occupational Health and Safety Advisers for small business
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Employment and Workplace Relations | 3.5 | 3.5 | - | - |
The Government will provide $7.0 million over two years to establish a network of advisers to assist small businesses in complying with occupational health and safety laws and standards.
The national network of small business occupational health and safety advisers will be coordinated by a suitable employer, business or other organisation.
This measure was announced on 28 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Flexibility and Productivity in the Workplace.
Workplace Dispute Settlement Pilot Programme
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Industrial Relations Commission/Australian Industrial Registry | 1.3 | - | - | - |
| Department of Employment and Workplace Relations | 0.2 | - | - | - |
| Total | 1.5 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $2.0 million over two years (including $0.4 million in 2004-05 to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) and $0.1 million in 2004-05 to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations) to conduct a pilot programme providing small businesses with access to mediation services as a low cost and informal alternative to the AIRC conciliation and arbitration processes.
The pilot will be conducted in Victoria in 2005 and managed by the AIRC/Australian Industrial Registry. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations will manage an independent evaluation by early 2006.
This measure was announced on 28 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Flexibility and Productivity in the Workplace.