Payroll Companion is the ultimate web based resource for payroll professionals. Payroll Companion provides news and analysis, reference material, tools and expert assistance – all in one simple package.

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The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory recently amended both the Long Service Leave Act 1976 [ACT] and the Long Service Leave (Building and Construction Industry) Act 1981 [ACT] now providing for employees to take long-service leave at any time after seven years. Read full article

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A Bill has been introduced into the Senate to strengthen the integrity of temporary working visa arrangements including the Subclass 457 visa program. Read full article

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Amendments to the Victorian Public Holidays Act to make Melbourne Cup Day a state-wide public holiday and also to provide an additional day if Boxing Day and New Years Day fall on a weekend, have been passed. Read full article

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The Australian Industrial Relations Commission has released 14 draft 'modern awards'. Read full article

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Some of the ‘standard’ contents of the modernised awards are discussed in more detail. Read full article

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The Australian Services Union (ASU) has attacked the draft modernised award for clerks, saying Victorian casual clerical workers will lose $45 a week and the AIRC has failed to take the best wages and conditions from around the States. Read full article

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An Unfair Dismissal Code Of Practice Checklist for small business employers is now available. Read full article

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Two new Payroll Tax Revenue Rulings have been issued by the NSW Office of State Revenue affecting Contractors and the Construction Industry. Both provide interpretation of the Payroll Tax Act 2007, and support of the harmonisation of the payroll tax regimes of NSW and Victoria. Read full article

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This article examines the question of whether the same tax benefits are possible if an employee wants to sacrifice salary into a First Home Saver Accounts FHSA as into a superannuation fund. Read full article

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We wish to re-employ a long-term employee who had previously resigned. The intervening period is approximately three months. We are happy to re-employ this person, however, we are concerned the company may be required to acknowledge the employee’s previous service when calculating any future entitlements. What is the legal position in this situation? Read answer

 

 

We employ a number of draughtspersons who are covered under a pre-reform federal award. They work 'as required' with hours of work in excess of 38 hours in a particular week or outside the span of ordinary hours. They are paid considerably more than APCS minimum rates – but do the overtime provisions of the federal award still apply, with the time and a half and double time penalty rates calculated on this rate of pay? Read answer