Around 150,000 of Australia’s lowest paid workers will benefit from substantial pay rises of between 23 and 45% as a result of Fair Work Australia’s historic pay equity decision.

Wage Connect helps employers to offset their initial training and labour costs and remove barriers that may have stopped them taking on staff in the past. Wage subsidies of around $6000 are paid to employers who take on and retain people as part of the Building Australia’s Future Workforce initiative.

A study, conducted by Southern Cross University senior lecturer Dr Gary Mellor from the School of Health and Human Services in conjunction with Dr Winsome St John, of Griffith University, has found that working fathers with new babies experience cumulative fatigue, which may pose a risk in the workplace.

A South Eastern timber processing company has been fined more than $26,000 by the Industrial Court after an employee was injured by unguarded machinery.

Australian Industry Group CEO Heather Ridout has welcomed the announcement of a Productivity Commission Inquiry into superannuation default funds in modern awards.