Individual flexibility agreement (IFA)

IFAs are used to make specific changes to an award or registered agreement. These agreements can adjust working hours, salary, and other work conditions to better fit the unique situations of both the employer and the employee. They must be genuinely agreed, in writing, and must leave the employee better off overall than they would be without the arrangement.

How individual flexibility arrangements work

The Fair Work Act calls these individual flexibility arrangements. Every modern award and enterprise agreement has a flexibility term that sets out which matters can be varied, such as when work is performed, overtime rates, penalty rates, allowances and leave loading. The arrangement must be signed by both parties, the employee must get a copy, and it can be ended by agreement or by written notice. It cannot be a condition of getting or keeping the job. For example, an employee who wants to start early to collect their children after school could agree to vary their start time, if they are better off overall.

Read our guide to flexible working arrangements.