Changes to the workplace relations system came into effect 28 March 2008 with the commencement of the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008.

These amendments begin the transition to a new workplace relations system and give effect to key Government election commitments to implement a fairer and more productive workplace relations system.

The key provisions of the Transition to Forward with Fairness Bill:

• Prevents the making of new Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs);
• Allows employers using AWAs as at 1 December 2007 to offer Individual Transitional Employment Agreements (ITEAs) to new employees and employers already on AWAs, for the transition period while award modernisation takes place;
• Introduces a genuine no disadvantage test for new collective agreements and ITEAs;
• Enables the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) to undertake the process of award modernisation; and
• Removes the requirement for employers to provide the Workplace Relations Fact Sheet to their employees.