News

Following amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), pre-2010 enterprise agreements, referred to as ‘zombie agreements’, will automatically terminate on 7 December 2023.

Employer obligations when responding to employee requests for flexible working arrangements will change from 6 June 2023.

As of 1 May 2023, the Managing respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in construction and manufacturing of construction elements Code of Practice 2022 will come into effect.

Following the completion of the Fair Work Commission's (FWC) four-yearly review of modern awards the FWC has handed down a decision that the Fair Work Act does not include a power for the Commission to include terms in Modern Awards by which an employer can require an employee to take unpaid leave during a period of annual shutdown.

On 1 April 2023 the new Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice commenced.

The Master Builders team has noted an uptick of calls from members regarding changes to single touch payroll (STP) reporting. One issue we have been asked about several times is changes to remuneration reporting. Specifically, the new requirement that in some instances allowances and overtime are not included in gross reporting, and reportable separately.

With critical changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) coming into effect from 1 October 2023, we’ve developed two information tools to assist you to understand the requirements and support implementation within your new builds and major renovations from 1 October 2023.

Queensland’s builders have welcomed the Queensland government’s decision to delay the further rollout of Project Trust Accounts (PTAs) into the private sector for contracts over $3 million from 1 April 2023 to 1 March 2025, and for contracts over $1 million from 1 October 2023 to 1 October 2025, but we remain sceptical that PTAs will be the silver bullet for security of payment.

The minimum clearance requirements between a gas cooktop and a range hood have increased from 600 mm to 650 mm in accordance with the new edition of AS/NZS 5601.1: 2022 Gas installations Part 1: General installations that was published 30 September 2022.

This International Women's Day, we’re highlighting the progress so far, and programs available to women within the Queensland construction industry.