What is an Award?

An Award, including a Modern Award, is a legally enforceable set of minimum terms and conditions of employment.  Awards operate in conjunction with the National Employment Standards (a legislated set of minimum standards), and together they provide a fair and relevant minimum safety net of terms and conditions of employment.

An Award applies to employees in a particular industry or occupation and is used as the benchmark for ensuring Enterprise Agreements pass the Better Off Overall Test before they are approved by the Fair Work Commission.  The Fair Work Commission also has responsibility for making and varying Awards in the national workplace relations system.

Which Award applies to me?

If you are unsure which Award you are covered by, members should contact the SDA.

Many SDA members are covered by an Enterprise Agreement, and not an Award.  For more information take a look at Enterprise Agreements.

There are a number of Modern Awards which apply to work performed in the industries the SDA covers.  These include: