Homework help - resources for students

The new national industrial relations system

As a brief overview:

The national industrial relations system (governed by the Fair Work Act)

Covers private sector workers in all states except Western Australia.

A guide for young workers provide information on the national industrial relations system for young workers.

To find out more about how industrial relations laws relate to NSW visit NSW Industrial Relations.

For more information on the new national industrial relations system call the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94. A live chat option is available.

Jargon busters

What does the term 'industrial relations' mean? What is a penalty rate? These and other related terms are defined for you in the Jargon Busters.

History of industrial relations in Australia and New South Wales

Australia has a long and interesting history in terms of industrial relations. The following sites have information explaining the key events:

• A History of Employment Law in Australia
• A History of Industrial Relations Timeline
• A history of the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales see also -
• Greg Patmore (ed), Laying the Foundations of Industrial Justice: The Presidents of the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW 1902-1998, The Federation Press, Sydney, 2003, p 54.
• Historical perspective: industrial relations in Australia (Australia. Parliament. Senate. Economic References Committee)
• Australian Trade Union Archives
• Centenary of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission - historical overview and centenary exhibition
• Sir Richard Kirby Archives - preserving the history of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. This booklet sketches the historical background to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission
• Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum: the story of six English farm workers who in the mid 1830's were transported to Australia for forming a union.

Internet Guides to Industrial Relations

• Best practice guide for young workers [Fair Work Ombudsman]
• Employment Law - from the Australian Parliamentary Library
• Industrial Law - from the Australasian Legal Information Institute
• Hot Topics: Employment and the Law - from the State Library of New South Wales Legal Information Access Centre
• Things everyone should know provide information on the national industrial relations system for young workers
• WebLaw - Industrial Law, from the University of Sydney 

Other resources:

• ACTU Worksite for Schools - This site has a section called Assignment Help, which includes topics such as the Harvester judgement - the first wage fixing system in Australia.
• Don't forget your school/college/university library as a source of information, or your local public library.