Transfer of Business Under the Fair Work Act
Commercial Law Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 15-22, 2009
13 Pages Posted: 29 Jul 2010
Date Written: July 28, 2010
Abstract
The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) has redrafted the old ‘transmission of business’ provisions for awards and agreements as new ‘transfer of business’ provisions. The new provisions differ considerably from the immediately prior Work Choices rules, and they also mark a change from the pre-Work Choices law. The ‘business characterization’ test applied in the PP Consultants case has been overruled and a test much more like the old ‘substantial identity’ of the work test has been restored. Nevertheless, the most important practical feature of the new rules is that broad powers have been given to Fair Work Australia to hear and determine applications on particular circumstances. The exercise of these powers has the potential for a flexible application of the rules, to accommodate business needs in the future.
Keywords: transmission of business, corporate restructuring, labour law, employment law, worker entitlements
JEL Classification: K10, K30, K31
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation