For Official Use Only
Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment
Senate Estimates Brief – February 2016
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For Official Use Only
For Official Use Only
Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment
Senate Estimates Brief – February 2016
Why are you referring so much work over to FWO? Why are most referrals considered
‘informal’?
• Wages and entitlements investigations are referred to FWO as that agency has the
specialist expertise to deal with such matters.
• FWBC only refers enquiries that are either clearly outside FWBC’s jurisdiction or are
better suited for response by another agency (such as FWO). A referral is considered
‘informal’ if it is dealt with at a preliminary stage. (For example; Where FWBC is
contacted with an issue outside of our jurisdiction, the person is advised to contact
the relevant agency and provided with the appropriate contact details)
• FWBC continually focuses on ensuring our referrals are appropriate. We are
constantly working to ensure we provide clearer definitions of formal and informal
referrals to better assist investigators with distinguishing between the two types of
referral. The agency conducts regular training and audits as part of continuous
improvement program.
When did FWBC make a decision to transfer responsibility for pursuing wage and
entitlements matters to FWO?
• I answered this in EM0017_14 (
Attachment C). (
FWBC wrote to FWO on 30 October
2013. Arrangements were confirmed by correspondence from FWO on
18 November 2013 and 3 December 2013).
How is the decision consistent with FWBC's statutory obligations?
• I answered this in EM0031_14 (
Attachment D). (
Subsection 10(e) of the FWBI Act
outlines the Director’s function to refer matters to relevant authorities).
What about sham contracting?
• If sham contracting arises in the context of other matters FWBC is looking at then we
will take it on.
• If sham contracting arises alongside a wages and entitlement matter, FWO will take it
on.
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For Official Use Only
