An independent umpire
The independent umpire, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) is there to help parties resolve disputes if they need assistance and travels to regional and remote areas to help employers and employees resolve local issues. This has helped give Queensland record low levels of industrial disputation.
Processes in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission are designed to be quick and involve the minimum of formalities.
Agreements certified by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission are tested against the broad safety net of award conditions. Individual Queensland Workplace Agreements (QWAs) are public documents. Like certified agreements they are tested against the broad safety net of award conditions. Minors are not permitted to enter into QWAs.
The Queensland industrial relations system also provides protection for independent contractors. Under the Industrial Relations Act 1999 (PDF, 1.9 MB), the QIRC have the power to declare persons employees if it is more appropriate for them to be treated as such. The QIRC also have the power to amend or void unfair contracts.
Further information is available from the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC).
Last updated July 21, 2009
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