Pre-reform award
A pre-reform award is an award that was created before 27 March 2006. After 1 July 2009, these awards were transitioned into award-based transitional instruments.
Pre-reform awards were the set of rules and conditions governing employment that were in place before the significant reforms of 2006. These awards covered various aspects of employment, like wages and working conditions. In 2009, as part of an overhaul to simplify and modernise employment awards, these pre-reform awards were transitioned into a new format known as award-based transitional instruments, to align them with the updated legal framework.
Pre-reform awards today
Pre-reform awards date from before the WorkChoices changes that started on 27 March 2006. They later became award-based transitional instruments and were replaced by modern awards from 1 January 2010, so they no longer set pay or conditions. You may still see the term in older contracts, agreements or historical underpayment claims. For example, an old workplace agreement might describe its pay rates by reference to a pre-reform award.
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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