Department of Workplace Relations Products and Services for Small Business

Australian Job Search

Federal Certified Agreements and Awards

Australian Workplace Agreements

Workplace Relations Seminars

Workplace Relations Publications

New Apprenticeships

Australian Job Search

Australian Job Search is an easy, cost-efficient way of recruiting staff online.  Small and medium businesses may post job vacancies on Australia's biggest employment-facilitating website free of charge at www.jobsearch.gov.au or call the Employer Hotline on 131 715.

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Federal Certified Agreements and Awards

Small and medium businesses may access information on Federal awards and conditions, Federal certified agreements and unfair dismissal from the Office of Workplace Services through the WageLine service on 1300 363 264, Monday-Friday between 8.30am and 5.00pm.

Alternatively, you may access the WageNet website at www.wagenet.gov.au for current workplace relations information, or visit the Office of Workplace Services at Level 7 North Wing, 477 Pitt Street, Sydney 2000, phone 9246 0600.

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Australian Workplace Agreements (AWA)

The Office of the Employment Advocate provides assistance and advice to businesses in relation to making an Australian Workplace Agreement.

Small businesses may access AWAonline, an Internet service assisting businesses in drafting and lodging AWAs.  AWAonline also allows lodgement of agreements to be made online at www.oea.gov.au.

The Office of the Employment Advocate also provides employers access to templates of AWA's and model clauses, simplifying the process of making an AWA for small and medium businesses.  A step-by-step guide on how to make an AWA is also accessible at www.oea.gov.au.

For more information on AWAs, contact the Office of the Employment Advocate on phone 1300 366 632.

Alternatively, you may visit the Office of the Employment Advocate at 30th Floor The Tower, 477 Pitt Street, Sydney 2000;  phone 1300 366 632;  fax 9246 0514.

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Workplace Relations Seminars

The Office of Workplace Services conducts a range of seminars on various workplace relations issues.  These seminars are mainly for employers and provide useful information, in particular, to employing small and medium businesses.

Some of the seminars offered are:

• Making Your Business Work:  Participants are exposed to common business problems, such as retaining and rewarding good staff, overcoming inefficient workplace arrangements and dismissing staff fairly.   Cost $35.
• Workplace Relations on the Internet:  a practical computer training course enabling participants to use the Internet to access workplace relations information, including awards, legislation and cases.  Cost $95.

For more information about thee seminars, contact the Office of Workplace Services on phone 1300 361 241;  email ows.education@dewr.gov.au;  website www.wagenet.gov.au.

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Workplace Relations Publications

• Federal Certified Agreements - a guide for employers, HR managers and business advisors (March, 2001):  a step-by-step guide to making a Federal Certified Agreement explaining the process and legislative requirements in a simple and logical format.  Price $44 including GST, postage and handling.
• Hiring or Firing - Are You Complying? - 2001 edition:  assists employers, particularly small business, to understand their obligations and opportunities relating to employment.  Price $26 each (includes GST).

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New Apprenticeships

For information regarding taking on new apprentices or trainees, employing businesses may access information about the Government's New Apprenticeship Scheme at www.newapprenticeships.gov.au, or by calling the New Apprenticeships Referral Line on 13 38 73.

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