Redundancy Rights: What Are Australian Workers Entitled To?

what am I entitled to if made redundant in australia

If you are made redundant in Australia, you may be entitled to a redundancy payment, also known as a severance package. This payment is calculated based on your years of service, payment for unused leave, and potentially payment in lieu of the notice period. The amount of redundancy pay your employer has to pay you will depend on your continuous length of service and does not include periods of unpaid leave. However, there are certain exceptions to consider. For example, if your employer offers you another job and you refuse, the amount of redundancy pay owing may be reduced or become zero. If you are unsure about your redundancy entitlements, it is recommended to seek advice from a financial advisor or workplace relations professional.

Characteristics Values
Redundancy pay Based on continuous service with the employer, also known as severance pay
Notice period Employees are entitled to a notice period or payment in lieu of notice
Fixed-term contract redundancy rights Employees on fixed-term contracts have rights to fair treatment, including notice, consultation, and redeployment options
Redundancy entitlements Employees may receive a large sum of money as a redundancy payout or severance package, which can include compensation for unused leave and notice periods
Re-employment opportunities Employers should discuss reasonable opportunities for re-employment within the organisation
Genuine redundancy Redundancy is only genuine if the employer no longer requires the job; if the employer hires someone else for the same job, it may be considered unfair dismissal

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Redundancy pay

In Australia, fixed-term contract redundancy rights are protected under Fair Work laws. Employers must provide notice, offer consultation, and consider redeployment options. Employees (excluding casual employees) who have continuously served for more than one year are eligible for redundancy pay under the National Employment Standards (NES). The NES establish the minimum entitlement to the notice period or payment in lieu of notice that an employee is owed. Employees may be entitled to a larger redundancy payout under a modern award, enterprise agreement, employment contract, or workplace policy.

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Notice period

If you are made redundant in Australia, you are entitled to a notice period or payment in lieu of notice, depending on the terms of your employment contract and the state or territory in which you work.

The notice period is the period of time between when an employee is informed that their employment will be terminated and the

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Employment contract

If you are made redundant in Australia, your employer may need to pay you redundancy pay, also known as severance pay. The amount of redundancy pay you receive is based on your continuous service with your employer, which is the length of time you have been employed by the business, excluding periods of unpaid leave.

Redundancy pay does not apply to casual employees, unless they work on a regular and systematic basis. Employees of small businesses are also not entitled to redundancy pay, unless outlined in an award or enterprise agreement.

If your employer downsizes due to bankruptcy or liquidation, your employer may still be required to pay redundancy entitlements. However, if your employer cannot afford to pay redundancy, they can apply to the Fair Work Commission for a reduction or waiver of the payment.

As an employee, you are entitled to notice or payment in lieu of notice. An employer must provide written notice of the day of termination when ending employment.

It is important to refer to your employment contract to determine if you have been employed for a set period of time and to understand your specific entitlements in the event of redundancy. Some awards have industry-specific redundancy clauses that may differ from the National Employment Standards (NES). It is recommended to use the Notice and Redundancy Calculator provided by the Fair Work Ombudsman to calculate your redundancy pay.

If you believe you have been unfairly dismissed, you may lodge an application with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of your dismissal.

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Industry-specific clauses

If you are made redundant in Australia, you may be entitled to redundancy pay, also known as severance pay. The National Employment Standards (NES) outline the minimum redundancy pay an employee may receive, which is based on their length of continuous service with their employer. However, some awards or registered agreements have industry-specific redundancy clauses or schemes that override the NES. These industry-specific clauses can have different rules regarding redundancy pay and entitlements.

  • Building and Construction: The Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2020 may have industry-specific clauses that differ from the NES. For instance, it could include provisions for paid days off during the notice period to allow employees to search for new jobs without a loss of pay.
  • Timber Industry: The Timber Industry Award 2020 may also include industry-specific redundancy provisions that deviate from the NES. Similar to the above example, it could provide employees with paid time during their notice period to seek alternative employment.
  • Meat Industry: In the meat industry, specific considerations apply to weekly hire employees. If a termination is based on seasonal factors, an employer in this industry may not be required to provide a notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice, as mandated by the NES.
  • Small Businesses: Small businesses, typically defined as those with fewer than 15 employees, may be exempt from paying redundancy pay. However, this exemption depends on the industry and any applicable modern award or enterprise agreement. For instance, if a non-small business becomes a small business during liquidation or insolvency, they may still need to pay redundancy to eligible employees.

It's important to note that the above examples may not cover all industry-specific clauses, and the specific entitlements can vary depending on the relevant award or registered agreement. Employees should refer to their specific industry's award or agreement to understand their unique redundancy entitlements. Additionally, employees can utilise resources such as the Fair Work Commission website and the Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) to clarify their entitlements and seek assistance if their employer cannot fulfil their obligations.

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Genuine redundancy

Redundancy in Australia occurs when an employee's position is no longer required due to factors such as business restructuring, downsizing, or technological advancements. A genuine redundancy is when an employee's job ceases to exist, and the employer has complied with certain legal requirements.

For a redundancy to be considered genuine, it must meet specific criteria. Firstly, there should be no replacement for the position, and a reasonable attempt should be made to redeploy the employee within the organisation or an associated entity. This means that if the employer could have reasonably offered the employee another suitable job within the business, it is not a genuine redundancy. The employer must also discuss reasonable opportunities for re-employment within the organisation and communicate if it is not feasible.

To be entitled to a redundancy payout under the National Employment Standards, an employee must have been working with the employer on an ongoing basis for at least 12 months. The amount payable is calculated based on the employee's base rate for ordinary hours worked and their length of continuous service with the employer. Small businesses with fewer than 15 employees may be exempt from paying redundancy.

It is important to note that there are exceptions to redundancy pay requirements. For example, redundancy pay may not be necessary if the employer is a small business or the employee is a casual worker. Additionally, employees may not receive redundancy pay if they have been employed for a fixed term, project, or season, or if the redundancy is due to the "ordinary and customary turnover of labour".

Frequently asked questions

Redundancy occurs when an employer no longer requires the job done by an employee. A redundancy is only considered genuine if the employer is no longer in need of the position. If someone else is hired to do the same job, or if the employer does not consult with the employee about the redundancy, it is not a genuine redundancy.

If you are made redundant in Australia, you may be entitled to redundancy pay, also known as a severance package. The amount of redundancy pay you receive is based on your length of continuous service with your employer, your base rate of pay, and whether you are a fixed-term or casual employee. You may also be entitled to notice or payment in lieu of notice.

If you have been made redundant, it is important to manage your finances and ensure you receive the funds you are owed. You should also seek financial advice to make the most of your redundancy payout. You may want to consider expanding your skills, tapping into your network, or starting a business or freelance career.

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