Portfolio Agencies

The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner

The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner was established on 1 October 2005 by the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005.  It is an independent statutory body responsible for investigating and prosecuting breaches of the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005, the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and the Independent Contractors Act 2006 in relation to the building and construction industry.
The Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) has prime responsibility for:

• investigating suspected contraventions of the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005, the Workplace Relations Act 1996, the Independent Contractors Act 2006, workplace agreements, orders and awards;
• instituting proceedings against industry participants contravening the relevant Acts, agreements, orders and awards;
• intervening in matters before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission or the courts that involve an industry participant or building work;
• monitoring, promoting and securing compliance with the National Code;
• providing advice and assistance to industry participants regarding their rights and obligations;
• disseminating information about the relevant Acts, the National Code and promoting appropriate standards of conduct by industry participants; and
• if appropriate, referring matters to other Commonwealth, State or Territory bodies including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Australian Taxation Office, and the Australian Federal Police.

Australian Fair Pay Commission  Secretariat

The Australian Fair Pay Commission Secretariat was established by the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005.  It is an independent statutory body responsible for assisting the Australian Fair Pay Commission in setting federal minimum and classification wages to promote the economic prosperity of the people of Australia. 

In giving effect to its purpose the Australian Fair Pay Commission Secretariat seeks to:

• support the Australian Fair Pay Commission to undertake wage reviews, by providing research and analysis, effective consultation and submission processes and monitoring and evaluation services
• undertake activities to promote public understanding of the Australian Fair Pay Commission and its functions; and
• provide effective administrative support to the Australian Fair Pay Commission.

Australian Industrial Relations Commission

The principal function of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) is to give effect to the legislative framework for co-operative workplace relations which promote the economic prosperity and welfare of the people of Australia. The Australian Industrial Relations Commission is an independent, national industrial tribunal established under the Workplace Relations Act 1996. The Commission's functions include assisting employers and employees in resolving industrial disputes; handling certain termination of employment claims; rationalising and simplifying awards; and dealing with applications about industrial action. In the performance of these functions the Commission is required to act quickly, with a minimum of legality and technicality and in the public interest.

The Australian Industrial Registry provides administrative support to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. It also has responsibilities relating to the registration of unions and employer associations and their financial accountability.

Australian Industrial Registry

The mission of the Australian Industrial Registry (AIR) is to facilitate the operation of the Australian workplace relations system. To carry out its mission, the Registry seeks to:

• provide effective administrative support to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to assist it to meet the objectives of the Workplace Relations Act 1996;
• provide clients of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission/Australian Industrial Registry with efficient, effective and timely services that facilitate the objectives of the Workplace Relations Act 1996;
• comply with a regulatory framework and requirements both in relation to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and the public service environment; and
• provide Parliament and the Australian public with a service that is accountable and performed impartially.
  

Comcare  and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission and Seafarers’ Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority

Comcare 

Comcare works in partnership with its customers to reduce the human and financial costs of workplace injuries and disease through:

• safe and healthy workplaces;
• early and safe return to work; and
• cost effective and fair compensation. 

The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission

The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) seeks improvement in occupational health and safety, rehabilitation and workers compensation in the Commonwealth jurisdiction by:

• setting targets to improve health and safety standards in workplaces;
• monitoring performance in relation to occupational health and safety, rehabilitation and compensation; and
• providing advice to the Minister on issues relating to improving occupational health and safety, rehabilitation and workers compensation.

Seafarers’ Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority

The Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority (Seacare Authority) aims to minimise the human and financial costs of workplace injury in the Australian maritime industry. The Seacare Authority pursues this objective by:

• working with the industry to provide safe and healthy workplaces;
• promoting a fair, efficient and effective scheme of rehabilitation, return to work and compensation for maritime industry employees including managing efficiently the Seafarers Safety Net Fund; and
• providing advice to the Minister on issues relating to improving occupational health and safety, rehabilitation and workers compensation.

Equal Opportunity  for Women in the Workplace Agency

The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency’s (EOWA) vision is to create an Australia where women in the workplace can achieve their greatest potential. The Agency’s mission is to inspire Australian employers to create workplaces where all women feel valued and fully able to contribute by:

• providing unique leading edge knowledge and solutions;
• building strategic alliances and partnerships; and
• engaging community debate to increase the rate of change.

The planned outcome is equality of opportunity in employment for women.

Indigenous Business Australia

Indigenous Business Australia’s (IBA) vision is for a nation in which Indigenous people share equitably in commercial and economic outcomes, and for Indigenous Business Australia to make a significant contribution to that outcome. Indigenous Business Australia was established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2001. Indigenous Business Australia extends the role of the former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Commercial Development Corporation.

Indigenous Business Australia was originally created to assist and enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ economic advancement, primarily through facilitating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander equity involvement in sound commercial ventures. Under the enabling legislation, IBA is required to meet this role by accumulating and using substantial capital assets. The Act specifically requires IBA to engage in commercial activities.

With the passage of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 in March 2005, Indigenous Business Australia’s responsibilities were expanded to include two new programmes, providing concessional loans for homes and businesses, together with business development and assistance.

A new programme was announced in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook and included as part of the 2005-06 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statement. The Home Ownership on Indigenous Land Programme provides subsidised loan and grant packages, secured by a mortgage over a long term sub-lease and supported by a guarantee from the local Indigenous Community Housing Organisation or other suitable guarantor.

Office of Workplace Services

The Office of Workplace Services works to ensure the rights and obligations for workers and employers under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (the Act) are understood and enforced fairly.

The Office of Workplace Services provides advice and assistance to employers, workers and organisations about compliance and enforcement under the Act.

The Office of Workplace Services has increased powers to enforce compliance with workplace agreements and awards, including former State instruments, the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard, and the requirements of the Act generally. Employees and employers will be able to bring claims to the independent agency for assistance with enforcement and, if necessary, prosecution for breaches. In addition, Office of Workplace Services workplace inspectors will undertake an increased number of targeted education and compliance campaigns to further protect the rights of workers and to inform employers of their obligations.

Appropriations and variations at the portfolio level

Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio appropriations for 2007-08 are estimated to be $26.5 billion, a decrease of $0.4 billion from the 2006-07 Portfolio Budget Statements. Administered appropriations account for 93 per cent of portfolio appropriations and primarily comprise income support payments for working age individuals and outcome payments, made under the Job Network programme. The remaining 7 per cent of portfolio appropriations are departmental appropriations, which are provided to fund operating and service delivery activities.