What is a breach?
Under the Industrial Relations Act 1999 (PDF, 1.9 MB) you must meet your legal obligations by complying with other related legislation, or codes of practice. The Act can impose a range of penalties for non-compliance.
For example an employer can be in breach of the Act if time and wage records are not correctly maintained for each employee. Records must be kept for an employee’s whole period of employment and retained for six years after they have terminated. Each time wages are paid, the employer must provide a written statement showing how the payment is made up.
One of the actions available to inspectors to encourage compliance with the Act is through the issuing of an infringement notice (sometimes called an on-the-spot fine). An infringement notice prescribes a penalty to be paid by an alleged offender in respect of certain offences against the Industrial Relations Act 1999.
The issuing of infringement notices and prosecution action assists prevention by deterring others from committing industrial relations offences.
Last updated October 5, 2005
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