Transitional awards
Transitional awards were special rules for employee pay and conditions that were in use right up until the end of 2009. Since then, they've mostly been updated or replaced by modern awards.
Transitional awards refer to the set of employment standards and pay scales that were in place before the introduction of modern awards in 2010. These awards governed various aspects of employment such as wages, working hours and leave entitlements. Over time, these have been gradually replaced by modern awards which provide updated standards more aligned with current work practices and legal requirements.
Transitional awards today
Transitional awards were the instruments that continued to apply for a period while the modern award system was introduced from 1 January 2010. They no longer set current pay rates. Today employees are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement or, if they are award and agreement free, the National Employment Standards and the national minimum wage. For example, if an old contract refers to a transitional award, check which modern award now applies to the role.
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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