Employer Assist

A Guide To Closing Loopholes Reforms Effective This Week

27 August 24

As part of the Closing Loopholes reforms, several employment law changes have come into effect from August 26, 2024 which introduce new rights and responsibilities for both employers and employees

HVIA Unveils Agenda For Upcoming Member Forums

31 July 24

HVIA has released the agenda for the next round of Member Forums to be held across Australia throughout August. The meetings build on an extensive schedule of activities already in motion for 2024

Unfair Dismissals: Lessons From A Recent Case

30 July 24

A recent case highlights the importance of fair, transparent and well-documented dismissal processes, according to HVIA Employer Assist provider Industry Legal Group

Transport Regulator Finds Breaches In 23PC Of Audits

26 July 24

Twenty-three per cent of audits by Wage Inspectorate Victoria have identified at least one breach of the state’s Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Act 2005 in the last financial year

New Award Rates Available Following Wage Review

2 July 24

Updated pay guides have been released for the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award and the Clerks Private Sector Award to take account of last month’s increase in the national minimum wage

AUSMASA Seeks Insights Into Automotive Skill Shortages

2 July 24

The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance is undertaking independent research to understand and address skill shortages facing the Australian automotive industry

Automotive Training Qualifications Set For Overhaul

28 June 24

The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance will be one of the first Jobs and Skills Councils to progress reforms to vocational education and training packages

HVIA Seeks Workforce Development Group Volunteers

25 June 24

HVIA is calling for volunteers to join a new working group targeted at skills, workforce development and training

Austroads Seeks Input On Overseas Licensed Drivers

25 June 24

Austroads is inviting he heavy vehicle industry and wider community to share their views on the management of overseas licensed heavy vehicle drivers

$3M EV Training Equipment Upgrade For TAFE QLD

14 June 24

The Federal Government has committed $3 million from the TAFE Technology Fund to further enhance electric vehicle training in Queensland

QLD Budget Extends Apprentice/Trainee Rebates

12 June 24

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has handed down the 2024-25 State Budget which includes record health expenditure and a raft of cost-of-living relief measures – plus a continuation of training incentives for employers

HV Industry Awards Set To Jump 3.75PC From July 1

3 June 24

The Fair Work Commission has today announced a 3.75 per cent increase to the national minimum wage and award minimum wages following its 2023-2024 annual wage review

Employer Assist: Unloading The Fair Work Act Reforms

29 May 24

HVIA Employer Assist provider Industry Legal Group provides a comprehensive overview of the Federal Government’s significant changes to the Fair Work Act, including the implications for employers and employees

Employer Assist: The New ‘Right to Disconnect’ Law

10 April 24

In a significant legislative change, Parliament passed the ‘right to disconnect’ law on February 12, 2024, which is set to take effect on August 26, 2024 – or August 26, 2025 for small businesses

HVIA Releases Details Of New Member Forums

20 March 24

HVIA has unveiled the dates and locations for the remaining member meetings scheduled for 2024 – lock them in your diary!

Automotive Skills Alliance’s Advisory Panel Gets to Work

28 February 24

The first meeting of the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance’s Automotive Strategic Workforce Advisory Panel took place last week, bringing together members to discuss the latest industry research, projects, and initial Workforce Plan for 202

HVIA + Healthy Heads Formalise Cooperative Arrangement

21 February 24

Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds and HVIA have formalised their cooperative arrangement to extend the services and benefits to their respective memberships and stakeholders

Strategy Relaxes Labour Market Test For Overseas Workers

19 December 23

The Government’s new Migration Strategy contains significant wins for employers, including relaxation of the Labour Market Test and a new Skills in Demand visa that may include truck drivers

HVIA Unveil First Round Of 2024 Committee Meetings

13 December 23

Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia has locked in the times and locations for the first round of State Committee Meeting in 2024

Time Running Out To Comply With Engineers Rego Scheme

29 November 23

The Victorian Engineers Registration Scheme will apply to mechanical engineers from December 1, 2024, and engineers providing mechanical engineering services covered by the legislation must be registered by that date or face fines of up to $96,000

Course Aims To Lift Completion Rate Of Female Apprentices

1 November 23

Heavy commercial vehicle tradesperson-turned-life coach, mentor and industry ambassador Louise Azzopardi is offering a new coaching program that aims to tackle the high non-completion rate of female apprentices

Program Aims To Steel Women For Truck Driving Career

1 November 23

Eleven candidates from five transport companies across three states will take part in the Australian pilot program of ‘Iron Women’, a driver training and licensing program aimed specifically at females

Record Keeping and Pay Slips

1 August 23

Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act), employers are obligated to keep complete and accurate records for each of the employer’s employees and provide certain information on pay slips.

Are you getting the most from HVIA Employer Assist?

12 July 23

Over the last twelve months, many HVIA Members have made good use of our HR service, Employer Assist. But do your team know the service is available to them?

Importance of Employment Contracts

4 July 23

Employment contracts are essential to any business and employers should use them as a tool to protect the interests of the business and to effectively manage staff.

2023 updated pay guides

26 June 23

New minimum rates apply to the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 (Vehicle Award) and the Clerks Private Sector Award 2020 (Clerks Award), effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2023.

2022 – 2023 Annual Wage Review Decision Announced

3 June 23

The Fair Work Commission has announced a 5.75% increase to the national minimum wage and a 5.75% increase to award minimum wages following its 2022-2023 annual wage review.

New Award Shutdown Provisions in place

22 May 23

New shutdown provisions have taken effect in many awards this month, including the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award, Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award and Clerks – Private Sector Award.

International Women’s Day 2023: #EmbraceEquity

8 March 23

Equity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every organisation’s DNA. HVIA is celebrating International Women’s Day and we are exploring how we can embrace the 2023 theme: Embrace Equity.

Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave

1 February 23

Starting on 1 February 2023, non-small business employers (employers with 15 or more employees) must provide their employees with 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave each year.

Access eligible workers for entry-level positions

11 January 23

The Federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has opportunities available for businesses to deliver projects under the Launch into Work program.

Employer Assist: Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill

7 December 22

On 2 December, The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 (Bill) passed Parliament.

Managing Risk – The End of Year Work Party

9 November 22

With the festive season fast approaching, now is a great time to review your policies which are also applicable during work functions.

Skilled Visa information webinars (NSW/ACT)

3 August 22

e Department of Home Affairs NSW/ACT Business Industry and Regional Outreach team will be holding several free online Skilled visa information sessions in August.

Managing Employees – The Warning Process

3 August 22

We often receive calls from employers who are dealing with employees who are not performing their duties to a standard reasonably expected or who are engaging in unsatisfactory workplace conduct despite efforts to manage their performance (e.g. through a performance improvement plan).

In many of these circumstances, we advise the employer that to issue …

2022 Increases to Vehicle Award and Clerks Award Rates

29 June 22

The minimum rates in these Guides apply to the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 (Vehicle Award) and the Clerks Private Sector Award 2020 (Clerks Award) and are effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 JULY 2022.

2021-22 Annual Wage Review Decision Announced

15 June 22

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced a 5.2% increase to the national minimum wage and a 4.6% increase to award minimum wages (subject to a minimum increase of $40 per week for full time adult employees) following its 2021-2022 annual wage review.

Preparing for Annual Wage Review

1 June 22

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) is scheduled to announce its 2021-2022 annual wage review (Decision). Following the wage review, the FWC may announce a wage increase before 1 July 2022

Written contract key to determining if a worker is an employee or a contractor

28 April 22

In ZG Operations v Jamsek [2022] HCA 2 (Jamsek), the High Court held that where parties have comprehensively committed the terms of their relationship to a valid written contract…

Deductibility of COVID-19 tests

9 February 22

he government announced on 7 February 2022 that they will ensure COVID-19 testing expenses are tax deductible for testing taken to attend a place of work.

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) direct orders

25 January 22

HVIA is working with Australian company Croft Group to make commercial quantities of TGA approved Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) available for purchase by HVIA members and stakeholders.

COVID-19: leave entitlements during quarantine and self-isolation

24 January 22

With the rising number of positive COVID19 cases, Employer Assist is receiving enquiries from members about leave entitlements for employees who are absent from work because they have COVID-19, are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 or are getting tested.

Guidance for a best-practice COVID-19 Policy

12 January 22

At our 2021 AGM, HVIA members were advised by guest speaker Robert King, Partner of Cornwalls Law, that having a COVID-19 Policy is considered workplace best practice. HVIA has now published a guide to help our members navigate the contents of a COVID-19 policy.

COVID-19 Policy Checklist

10 January 22

This guideline is designed to be a simple reference document to assist HVIA members, that wish to have a COVID-19 policy for their workplace.

Work-related fatalities in 2020 report released

17 November 21

Safe Work Australia has published the Work-related Traumatic Injury Fatalities Australia 2020 report, which provides the latest detailed national statistics on all workers and bystanders fatally injured at work.   

Will the upcoming public holidays affect your business?

10 November 21

As we near the end of the year, it is important to be aware of the upcoming public holidays and how they may impact your business and employees.

Mandatory Vaccinations – what employers need to know

26 October 21

HVIA’s 2021 Annual General Meeting featured an enlightening and thought provoking presentation by Robert King titled “Mandatory Vaccinations – what employers need to know.”

Is Superannuation Paid on Overtime?

8 October 21

It can be difficult to identify and distinguish earnings in respect of ordinary hours of work from overtime hours which are excluded from ordinary time earnings.

Victoria: Vaccination requirement for all authorised workers

1 October 21

All workers on the Authorised Worker list in Melbourne and regional Victoria will require their first COVID-19 vaccine dose by Friday, 15 October in order to continue working onsite.

High Court overturns Rossato finding employee was casual

25 August 21

The High Court has set aside the orders made by the Full Court of the Federal Court in WorkPac v Rossato [2020] FAFC 83 (Rossato) and declared that Mr Rossato was a casual employee.

Increase to Vehicle Award and Clerks Award Rates

30 June 21

The Fair Work Commission has announced a 2.5% increase to minimum wages.

2.5% Wage Increase Announced

18 June 21

The Fair Work Commission has announced a 2.5% increase to minimum wages following its 2020-2021 annual wage review.

Casual Employment Information Statement (CEIS)

2 June 21

If you are a small business employer, you need to provide a Casual Employment Information Statement to all existing casual employees as soon as possible.

Casual Employment Reforms

26 March 21

The Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2021 (Bill) was passed by Parliament on 22 March 2021 and the Act will commence the day after it receives Royal Assent.

COVID Vaccinations and the workplace

10 March 21

Many employers are seeking clarity on whether they can require their employees to obtain the COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine. The answer currently is, it depends on the facts, taking into account the particular workplace and each employee’s individual circumstances.

Increase to Vehicle Repair, Services & Retail Award rates

3 February 21

Last year the Fair Work Commission announced a 1.75% increase to minimum wages.

Upcoming Fair Work Act reforms

3 February 21

In December 2020, the Federal Government introduced the Fair Work Act (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2020

High Court overturns controversial Personal Leave decision

8 September 20

The controversial Mondelez Decision regarding the calculation of Personal Leave has now been overturned by the High Court.

Guidance and clarity for Victorian Industry

7 August 20

The Victorian Government has produced further guidance information to clarify the exceptions and expectations for businesses that intend to stay open under Stage 5 restrictions

Amendments to the extended JobKeeper payment

7 August 20

The Government has extended the JobKeeper Payment by a further six months to March 2021.
The payment rate will be reduced and a lower payment rate will be introduced for those who work fewer hours.

1.75% wage increase announced

23 June 20

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced a 1.75% increase to minimum wages following its 2020 annual wage review.

New training and certification platform to help fast-track business back to the workplace

5 June 20

HVIA has welcomed Australian company Soul Safe™ as its exclusive Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) training and certification partner.

Soul Safe Courses & Certification Regime

5 June 20

The first of two Soul Safe courses provide all staff of a business a free 60-minute micro-credential certificate in the basics of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) covering what precautions and processes staff should do from the moment they wake up, to when they return home from work.

FWC ruling sets troubling precedent for employers of casuals and casual contracts

25 May 20

Casual employee entitled to claim payments for annual leave, personal/carer’s leave, compassionate leave, and public holidays. Employer not entitled to restitution or to “set off” the claim. The Regulation introduced to prevent double dipping proves ineffective.

Update: New regulation allows employers to offset casual loading

22 May 20

The Full Federal Court held that an employee who was classified as a ‘casual’ was in fact a permanent employee due to their regular and predictable hours and expectation of continuing work. As a result the employee was entitled to paid annual leave in addition to their casual rate of pay.

JobKeeper: Amendments to Fair Work Act

14 April 20

Eligible businesses and not-for-profit organisations affected by COVID-19 can elect to claim a subsidy of $1,500 (before tax) per fortnight per eligible employee employed as at 1 March 2020 and retained in employment (including employees who have been stood down or re-hired).

COVID-19: New Temporary Award Provisions

14 April 20

The Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission have applied temporary variations to 99 awards including the Vehicle Manufacturing Repair Services and Retail Award 2010 and the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2010 until 30 June 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employer Assist: Special provisions Pandemic Leave

5 April 20

The Fair Work Commission are proposing new temporary changes in most awards including the VMRSR Award.

Staying connected is more important than ever

31 March 20

Across Australia and the world people are facing an unprecedented situation as our health authorities and governments act to manage the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

National Cabinet takes advice on vulnerable people in the workplace

30 March 20

National Cabinet has endorsed advice on vulnerable people in the workplace from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).

Employer’s guide to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

27 March 20

With the World Health Organisation declaring COVID-19 a pandemic, it is prudent for employers to be prepared for how the outbreak may impact the workplace.

What is an “Essential Service”?

23 March 20

Last night, the Prime Minister Hon Scott Morrison MP called a National Cabinet meeting and offered this explanation of which businesses would close from midday today 23 March 2020

Keeping the wheels turning

23 March 20

HVIA will continue to provide support for our members seeking clarity in addressing and understanding the issues brought on by the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.