Workplace Relations Act 1996
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Workplace Relations Act 1996 | |
Parliament of Australia |
|
Long title: | An Act relating to workplace relations, and for other purposes |
Introduced by: | |
Dates | |
Date passed: | |
Date of Royal Assent: | |
Commencement: | 1 January 1997 |
Other legislation | |
Amendments: | 2005 |
Related legislation: | Industrial Relations Act 1988 |
Status: Substantially amended |
The Workplace Relations Act 1996 is an Australian law passed by the Howard Government shortly after coming into power in 1996. It completely replaced the previous Labor Government's Industrial Relations Act 1988. It started operation on 1 January 1997.
Some of its provisions upon first being enacted included:
- the introduction of Australian Workplace Agreements, a form of individual contract which can override collective agreements;
- expansion of the use of enterprise bargaining agreements;
- a reduction of the allowable matters in Federal Awards to 20;
- restrictions on union activity; and
- outlawing closed shops.
The Workplace Relations Regulations 2006 repeal and replace the Workplace Relations Regulations 1996 to accommodate the WorkChoices amendments to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 introduced on March 27, 2006