1
Fair Work Act 2009
s.156 - 4 yearly review of modern awards
4 yearly review of modern awards – Plain language re-drafting – Guidelines
(AM2016/15)
JUSTICE ROSS, PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT HATCHER
COMMISSIONER HUNT
MELBOURNE, 4 NOVEMBER 2016
4 yearly review of modern awards – Plain language project – Plain language drafting
guidelines
[1] Plain language guidelines (the Guidelines) were developed by Mr Eamonn Moran QC
as part of the plain language pilot. The Report published on 21 April 2016 included a
summary of the Guidelines at Attachment A.
[2] As foreshadowed in the Statement issued on 15 July 20161, the initial Guidelines are
being expanded and refined. These Guidelines will be a reference for further plain language
re-drafting undertaken as part of the 4 yearly review (the Review).
[3] The plain language component of the Review has so far included:
(i) Publishing a plain language redraft of the Pharmacy Industry Award 2010;
(ii) Publishing plain language redrafts of ‘standard clauses’ which are clauses
appearing in all modern awards;
(iii) The announcement of 3 further awards for plain language redrafting (Clerks
Private Sector Award 2010, Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010 and
the Restaurant Industry Award 2010.
[4] Following the initial conferences in relation to the plain language redrafting of the
Pharmacy Industry Award 2010 and the standard award clauses, the Commission has
determined that it would be useful for consultation to take place on the Guidelines prior to
commencing the redrafting of the awards set out at paragraph [3](iii) above.
[5] The Guidelines will be published on 4 November 2016. Written submissions will then
be sought in accordance with the following timetable:
Date
Plain language draft guidelines published for comment 4 November 2016
Deadline for written submissions 17 November 2016
[2016] FWCFB 7968
STATEMENT
AUSTRALIA FairWork Commission
https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/html/2016fwc4756.htm
https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/sites/awardsmodernfouryr/am2014209-report-plainlanguage-fwc-210416.pdf
[2016] FWCFB 7968
2
Date
Submissions summarised and published 21 November 2016
Conference 23 November 2016
Next steps
[6] Directions will issued in due course.
PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
Price code A, PR587217
1 [2016] FWC 4756 at [36]–[38]
https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/html/2016fwc4756.htm
