Awards – Wages and Conditions
The wages and conditions to which an apprentice is entitled are determined by industrial Awards. These Awards are established by the Fair Work Commission and are based on 10 National Employment Standards which act as a safety net.
The Fair Work Commission formerly known as Fair Work Australia is the Australian industrial relations tribunal created by the Fair Work Act 2009 as part of the Rudd Government’s reforms to industrial relations.
Apprentices and trainees in the primary industries are covered by numerous Awards. We have listed the common ones here.
To confirm the Award under which you are employed visit Fair Work Commission to contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or Call
To see a specific Award click on the links below (links open in a new window).
•Building and Construction Award
•Gardening and Landscaping Services Award
•Horticulture Award
•Pastoral Award
•Nursery Award
•General Retail Industry Award
•National Training Wage Award
National Employment Standards
Under the National Employment Standards, employees have certain minimum conditions. Together with pay rates in modern awards and minimum wage orders, the NES makes up the safety net that cannot be altered to the disadvantage of the employee.
There are ten minimum conditions covered under the NES:
1. Maximum working week
2. Request for flexible working arrangements
3. Parental leave and related entitlements
4. Annual leave
5. Personal/carer’s leave and compassionate leave
6. Long service leave
7. Community service leave
8. Public holidays
9. Notice of termination and redundancy pay
10. Fair work information statement