10 National Employment Standards

By Rachel Drew

The following 10 National Employment Standards will replace the Howard Government’s Australian Fair Pay and
Conditions Standard from 1 January 2010. The Government has invited public comment on the standards. Any
submissions must be lodged by 4 April 2008.

The standards apply to all Australian employees regardless of their industry or occupation and will operate in addition to
award provisions.

The standards address:

1. Hours of work, mandating a 38 hour week, with reasonable additional hours
2. Parental leave guaranteeing 12 months of unpaid leave, plus the right to request up to an additional 12 months of unpaid leave, which can only be refused on ‘reasonable business grounds’
3.  Right to request flexible working arrangements for parents until their child reaches school age, with refusal only permitted on reasonable business grounds
4. Four weeks paid annual leave
5. Ten days paid personal/carers leave, plus two days paid compassionate leave, plus two days unpaid leave for family responsibilities
6. Community Service Leave, such as unpaid leave for participation in State Emergency Service and paid leave for jury service
7. Public holidays – by specifying public holidays
8. Employers must provide all new employees with a Fair Work Information Statement which contains information on rights and entitlements, including the right to choose whether to be a member of a union and where to go for information and assistance
9. Termination of employment and redundancy, including minimum notice of termination and minimum redundancy pay
10. Nationally consistent long service leave entitlements. Stressed ambulance officer loses $500,000 payout