F2 - Fair Work Ombudsman

What is the FWO?

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) (or formally, the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman), is an independent statutory agency of the Government of Australia that serves as the central point of contact for free advice and information on the Australian national workplace relations system. The Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman also investigates workplace complaints and enforces compliance with national workplace laws.

The FWO, along with the Fair Work Commission (former Fair Work Australia), the national workplace relations tribunal, began operation on 1 July 2009 under the Fair Work Act 2009.

FWO Purpose

The purpose of the FWO is to promote harmonious, productive, cooperative and compliant workplace relations in Australia.

FWO Functions

The functions below outline the responsibilities the FWO have as set by the Fair Work Act 2009:

• Provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, outworkers, outworker entities and organisations.
• Promote and monitor compliance with workplace laws.
• Inquire into and investigate breaches of the Fair Work Act.
• Take appropriate enforcement action.
• Perform our statutory functions efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically.

FWO Role

The Fair Work Ombudsman is an independent statutory office. Their jurisdiction is set out in the Fair Work Act 2009 and their services are free to all workers and employers in Australia.

Their main role is to:

• promote harmonious, productive and cooperative workplace relations
• ensure compliance with Australian workplace laws
• monitor certain 457 and 482 subclass visa arrangements.

Free services include:

• a single point of contact for reliable and timely information about Australia's workplace relations system
• educating people working in Australia about fair work practices, rights and obligations
• assessing complaints or suspected breaches of workplace laws, awards and registered agreements and some Fair Work Commission orders
• litigating in some circumstances to enforce workplace laws and deter people from doing wrong in the community
• building strong and effective relationships with industry, unions and other stakeholders.