Glossary & Acronyms

Paid parental leave is a government-funded scheme for employees who take leave for childbirth or adoption. Employers can also offer their own paid leave.

Parental leave is the workplace right for employees to take up to 12 months of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

A part-time employee is someone who works fewer hours than a full-time employee but on a regular, ongoing basis with expected work hours.

Pattern bargaining involves a bargaining representative negotiating multiple proposed enterprise agreements, aiming to include similar terms across all.

A document that ensures that employees receive their correct pay and entitlements and helps employers to keep accurate and complete records.

A higher pay rate that can apply when an employee works evenings, weekends or public holidays. These rates are set out in awards and registered agreements.

Permitted deductions are those that are legally allowed under the Fair Work Act 2009.

Matters that can be included in an enterprise agreement. Permitted matters could include terms about the relationship between an employer and the employee.

Personal leave (also known as sick leave) is paid leave that an employee is entitled to when they are unable to work due to illness or injury.

A pieceworker is an employee who earns payment based on the quantity of items they produce or tasks they complete, rather than the hours they work.

A term used by the Fair Work Ombudsman to refer to awards that existed before 1 January 2010. It includes award-based transitional instruments.

An award made before 27 March 2006. After 1 July 2009, pre-reform awards became award-based transitional instruments.

A length of time used to assess if the employee is suitable for the job. Probation periods are often 3-6 months long. Also known as a probationary period.

A proportionate amount of money or period of time. Part-time employees generally get pro-rata entitlements, based on the number of hours worked.

A secret vote by eligible employees on whether they want to take industrial action. This action is usually about the terms of a proposed EA.

Attributes or characteristics of a person that are protected from workplace discrimination. For example, age, religion, or social origin.

The Protecting Worker Entitlements Act refers to a set of laws that introduced changes to the Fair Work Act 2009, enhancing worker rights and entitlements.

Public health orders are directives issued by state or territory governments, including requirements like mandatory vaccinations for certain workers.

Public holidays are specific days recognised in the Fair Work Act 2009 and any other day or part-day declared as a holiday under state or territory laws.