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REIA would like to advise that The Modern Award was listed on the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) website on 28 September 2009.

Two issues of importance to the real estate profession are:

The AIRC has proposed the registration of employment contracts to continue in those states and territories where they already exist.

The AIRC has also proposed that clerical and administrative employees will not be bound by the provisions of this award, but by the Private Sector Clerical Occupation Award.

These factors could have significant implications in terms of increases in wage costs, lack of flexibility and increased penalty rates for work on Sunday’s. The Real Estate Employer’s Combined Consultative Group (REECCG), of which REIA is a member, plan to oppose this recommendation. The REECCG have until 16 October to prepare a considered response prior to presenting an oral submission on the 26th of October.

To view a copy of the Exposure Draft, click here.

REIA participated in a consultation meeting on a National Workforce Development Strategy, chaired by Skills Australia. Skills Australia is an independent statutory body which advises the Government on Australia’s current, emerging and future workplace skills needs and workforce development needs.

In the past, policies and programs have offered remedies for workforce productivity or unemployment in terms of either a skill or job solution. It is proposed that the approach emphasise the need to match qualifications with industry needs in such a way that the education and training system is industry led.

To identify occupations for national planning, it is proposed to identify ‘high risk occupations’ by using criteria which include: those with a long lead time to develop the skills; where there is significant disruption if the skills are in short supply, and; where there is a good fit between what people train for and the jobs they get.

Growth areas for skills and jobs included health, community services and scientific services.

To view a copy of the discussion paper, click here.