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EMPLOYMENT
Volume of work, customer demands and plans for future growth
may require you to employ an additional worker or workers. There are many
issues that should be considered before making a commitment.
Before employing
Before employing a new worker, the work to be done should be
evaluated. The duties and responsibilities of the position, and the skills,
expertise and experience that will be required to do the work should be
identified. A job description should be prepared.
The employment conditions, level of pay and other costs of
employment, including the physical accommodation of the worker should be
considered. Will the benefits of employing outweigh the costs?
Employing staff
It is important to attract and retain the right people. The
employment process will run more smoothly if you know how to:
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advertise
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interview
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select the right applicant
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draw up and document a formal offer of employment
Good human
resource management also includes proper induction, training and the reviewing
of employee performance. The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) sells
a range of books that cover human resource issues. See the complete list of
publications available from the SBDC online bookshop.
Do your employees know?
Do your employees know what you expect of them, what your
organisation is all about, and what their role is in your business?
Employment arrangements
The Department of Consumer and
Employment Protection
(DOCEP) website and Wageline 1300 655 266 provide
information on wage rates, award conditions, enterprise bargaining agreements,
minimum conditions, unfair dismissal and other employment related matters,
under the state industrail relations system.
Information on the federal Workplace relations system for constitutional corporations is
available on the Workplace Ombudsman website www.wo.gov.au and the Workplace Authority website www.workplaceauthority.gov.au, or from the Workplace Infoline Tel: 1300 363 264.
Understand your legal obligations in relation
to:
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workers' compensation insurance cover
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superannuation guarantee legislation
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taxation - including payroll tax
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apprenticeships and trainees
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long service leave
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occupational health and safety
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record keeping
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equal opportunity legislation - in relation to the
recruitment, management and termination of employees.
See the contacts list below for further information.
If considering a subcontractor, note that different legal
rights and obligations apply to employees and subcontractors.
Taxation requirements include:
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Registering as a PAYG withholding payer with the Australian
Taxation Office (ATO). (Registration can be completed on the ABN registration
form).
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Obtaining from your employees a completed tax file number
declaration. Forms must be remitted to the ATO within 14 days of signing.
Employees wishing to anticipate certain entitlements (eg the family tax
benefit), will also need to provide you with a withholding declaration.
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Keeping records relating to payments to employees and
other workers for 5 years for the ATO. (There are other requirements under various
awards and agreements).
Workers' compensation insurance
Workers' compensation insurance cover is compulsory for
all employees but cover is not available for sole traders or partners.
Cover for working directors of
proprietary companies is optional, and conditions apply.
Injury management system
From 14 November 2005 every employer must ensure that an
injury management system is established in relation to their workers. The
establishment, content and implementation of the injury management system must
be in accordance with the mandatory Workers’ Compensation Code of Practice
(Injury Management) 2005.
The Code and accompanying guidance notes, and simple
templates for an injury management system and an injury management policy are
downloadable from the WorkCover website www.workcover.wa.gov.au under
publications.
Information on workers’ compensation, cover for working directors,
avoidance agreements and injury management systems is available on
the WorkCover WA website at www.workcover.wa.gov.au/Information/Brochures.htm
or contact WorkCover WA Infoline on 1300 794 744.
Thinksafe Small Business Assistance
Program
If you are interested in having a free, confidential and
independent safety assessment of your workplace and a simple safety action plan
prepared for you, contact the Worksafe hotline 1800 429 273 or visit the
website www.worksafe.wa.gov.au for
further information on safety.
Caution:
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Workers' Compensation insurance cover should be in place
before your worker commences with you.
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Keep records of what you and your employee discuss especially
when related to conditions and terms of employment.
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Keep all your records up-to-date.
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Do not ignore unacceptable behaviour in the workplace.
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You may be prosecuted and have to pay unpaid entitlements or compensation
if you do not comply with the various industrial laws.
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Employment laws and regulations are complex. Do not be afraid
to seek professional advice: you cannot afford to make mistakes.
Workshops
The SBDC conducts a workshop on employment. For details of
this and other SBDC workshops, call 131 BIZ (131 249) or 1800 199 125
for country callers or visit the website.
Publications
Publications available from the SBDC bookshop at 553 Hay Street
Perth, or online at www.sbdc.com.au,
include the following titles:
For further information and guidance contact:
Small Business Development Corporation
553 Hay Street (cnr Pier Street) PERTH WA 6000
Tel: 131 BIZ (131 249)
Fax:
(08) 9221 1132
Email: info@sbdc.com.au
Website: www.sbdc.com.au
Government
Departments which Provide Information for Employers
| Australian Taxation Office:
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Internet:
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www.ato.gov.au
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| Business income tax including fringe benefits tax, PAYG
and GST |
Tel: |
13 28 66 (business) |
| Superannuation |
Tel:
Internet:
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13 10 20
(superannuation)
www.ato.gov.au/super
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| Office of State Revenue, Department
of Treasury and Finance: |
Tel:
Internet:
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(08) 9262 1300
www.dtf.wa.gov.au
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| Payroll Tax (applicable if
your annual payroll is $750,000 or more) Rate is 6%
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Department
of Consumer and Employment Protection: State and federal
awards, conditions of employment, wages records, employer / employee agreements,
employment guides, unfair dismissal, etc.
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Tel:
Internet:
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(08) 9222 7700
http://www.docep.wa.gov.au
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| WA Wageline - wage rates and conditions |
Tel:
Internet:
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1300 655 266
www.wagenet.gov.au |
| Country
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Albany
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Tel: |
(08) 9842 8366 |
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Bunbury
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Tel: |
(08) 9722 2888 |
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Geraldton
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Tel: |
(08) 9964 5644 |
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Kalgoorlie
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Tel: |
(08) 9021 5966 |
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Karratha
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Tel: |
(08)
9185 0900
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WorkSafe Western Australia:
Occupational Health and Safety
Workplace safety issues
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Tel:
Internet:
Email:
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1300 307 877
www.worksafe.wa.gov.au
safety@docep.wa.gov.au |
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WorkCover Western Australia:
Workers' compensation insurance
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Tel:
Internet:
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1300 794 744
www.workcover.wa.gov.au
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Department of Education and Training:
Vocational training
Apprenticeships and traineeships
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Tel:
Internet:
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13 19 54
www.det.wa.edu.au
www.apprenticeships.training.wa.gov.au
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Equal Opportunity Commission:
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Tel:
Freecall:
Internet: |
(08) 9216 3900
1800 198 149
www.equalopportunity.wa.gov.au
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State Law Publisher:
Online publications - including Statutes and Regulations
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Tel:
Internet:
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(08) 9321 7688
www.slp.wa.gov.au
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Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission:
Online copies
of awards, information on unfair dismissal, information on employer / employee agreements |
Tel:
Freecall:
Internet: |
(08) 9420 4444
1800 624 263
www.wairc.wa.gov.au
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| Australian Industrial
Relations Commission: |
Internet: |
www.airc.gov.au |
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Workplace Authority Information on
workplace agreements |
Tel: Internet: |
Workplace Infoline 1300 363 264
www.workplaceauthority.gov.au |
Federal Department of Education, Employment
and Workplace Relations:
Employment and workplace relations information |
Tel:
Internet:
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(08) 9464 4200
www.deewr.gov.au
www.workplace.gov.au
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Workplace Ombudsman Information on the federal
workplace relations system including pay and conditions
| Tel: Internet:
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1300 724 200
www.wo.gov.au
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You can also access all government departments and agencies
through the website
www.business.gov.au
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