Enterprise award
An enterprise award is a set of employment standards applicable to one or more specific businesses and their employees. It's a legally binding document defining work conditions for those businesses.
An enterprise award is a detailed document that sets the terms of employment for one or more businesses. It's like a personalised legally binding rule book that outlines the minimum standards for wages, hours, and other working conditions specific to those businesses. These awards are designed to meet the unique needs of the businesses they cover, providing a framework that is more specific than general industry awards.
Enterprise awards today
Enterprise awards were made for a single business or group of businesses rather than a whole industry. Many old enterprise instruments were either modernised by the Fair Work Commission into modern enterprise awards, such as the Australia Post Enterprise Award 2015, or ended. Most private sector businesses are now covered by an industry or occupation modern award, or by an enterprise agreement. For example, a small business today would not have its own enterprise award; its employees are covered by the modern award for its industry.
Read our guide to modern awards.
General information only
This content is general information about Australian employment law, current at the date it was last reviewed. It does not take your circumstances into account and is not legal advice. For advice about your situation, call Employment Compass on 1300 144 002.
Last reviewed: October 2026
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