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Workers' compensation law
The first workers' compensation law is passed in Western Australia. -
Postal Workers Award
The Postal Workers Award was the first award in Australia. Many new awards have since been created. -
Paid sick leave
Prior to the 1920s, workers who were sick either went to work while ill or stayed home and did not receive pay. -
Paid annual leave
Paid annual leave allows full- and part-time workers to receive pay for time off work. For every 12 months worked, employees are entitled to 4 weeks of paid leave. -
Penalty rates
A penalty rate is a higher rate that employees are paid for working specific hours or days that are outside typical hours. -
Long service leave
Employees who have worked for 10+ years are entitled to 2 months long service leave. NSW was the first state to introduce this, in 1951. -
Equal pay for women
The campaign for equal pay for women started all the way back in the 1940s. -
Proper meal and rest breaks
Before 1973, workers would have to work the entire day, no breaks. After industrial action, workers were allowed to take breaks for rest and meals. -
Annual paid leave with leave loading
Leave loading is extra pay given to workers who are on annual leave, to cover for expenses during leave. The Metal industry was the first to secure a leave loading on annual paid leave, at a rate of 17.5%. -
Asbestos ban
As part of a campaign for safer working environments, unions managed to ban the use of asbestos in workplaces. Asbestos are minerals which can cause cancer. -
Superannuation Guarantee
All workers were now entitled to a superannuation fund. Before 1986, this was not the case. As of 2023, the superannuation rate is 11%. -
Paid Parental Scheme
Parents of newborn children were now entitled to 18 weeks' pay on the national minimum wage ($23.23/hr as of July 2023)