How to find pay rates under the new Modern Awards

The new Fair Work Australia website has now posted details of the new Modern Awards so here are the steps to follow to find what you need. Just to recap, the Modern Awards consolidate 2,500 awards into about 120 awards.

First, go to the Fair Work Australia website – http://www.fwa.gov.au. Look down the left hand side of the home page and click on “Awards & Award Modernisation” then one of three choices – “Find an award”, “About Awards” or “Award Modernisation”.

Click on “Find an award”. Scroll down to find a search box. You can type in the name of the award of if you need help to find the award you are on call 13 13 94. You can also browse an A-W list of awards. The list ranges from the “Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award 2010” to the “Wool storage, sampling and testing Award 2010”.

Once you click on an award you will open a PDF fact sheet detailing a range of relevant information including Minimum Wages and Related Matters. Usually the section on Minimum Wages has a table with actual wage figures in it. If you cannot find what you want, call the information line above.

Other ways to find wage information include industry associations and unions.

The Ask Kate column is written by CareerOne.com.au Editor Kate Southam and syndicated via 100 News Limited newspapers.