FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Changes to the Building and Construction General Onsite Award
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down a decision in relation to the Building
and Construction General Onsite Award 2010 (Award) as part of the two yearly
review of Modern Awards.
As the review was limited in scope, disappointedly the FWC declined to make any
significant amendments or improvements to the Award.
For instance, the award still contains the industry specific redundancy scheme with an
extended meaning of “redundancy” that requires payments to employees when they
resign.
The decision does however make some changes to the Award that members need to
be aware of, including:
 The introduction of a definition of ordinary time hourly rate which will,
amongst other things, assist in determining the amount payable at termination
on the basis of redundancy;
 Clarifying the appropriate commencement date for an inclement weather
calendar, however members may continue to use existing calendars;
 Clarifying that if an employee, under a messing system, is provided
reimbursement for meals they will not be entitled to an additional three meals
a day;
 Clarifying that payments made to employees for travelling outside of a radial
area will be confined to the time spent in travel from the radial boundary to the
job and back to the radial boundary;
 Changes to shift work provisions; and
 Clarifying that meal and crib breaks provided for on Saturdays, Sundays and
public holidays (under clause 37) apply instead of the meal and crib breaks
provided while working ordinary hours (under clause 35).
These changes apply from July 2013.
Click here for a copy of the updated award.
Please contact your Workplace Advisor on 1300 650 620 if you have any questions.