Pay Rates in School Canteens
UPDATE 3 NOVEMBER 2011
Award Changes for School Canteen Staff
Last year the Fair Work System decided to standardise pay rates across Australia so that there was equality in pay rates across all states, where people are performing the same duty, rather than each state having their own Awards.
122 Modern Awards were introduced (replacing thousands of different state Awards) which came into place from 1st July 2010. Employers have been given the opportunity to adjust to the new Awards by increasing the pay rates of employees over 4 years from 2010 to 2014. (20% of the increment each year).
These new pay awards affect paid canteen staff. When the new Awards were developed, pay rates may have decreased or increased initially. Regardless, all paid canteen staff will receive a small pay increase each year until 2014 under the new Award.
As of the 1st July 2011 employers will have to implement the 2nd of five increases.
Please note that this applies only to canteen workers who are receiving the minimum wage. If an employee is already receiving more than the minimum wage, then this does not apply to them.
The attached printable document provides information on the classifications, pay rates for canteen assistants and canteen managers as well as information on calculating long service leave accruals.
Printable Award Information
How will the employer know which award to pay under?
Healthy Kids formerly wrote to the FairWork Ombudsman seeking a direction on the correct Award for canteen staff employed by anyone other than the Principal. Their determination is that all P&C and leased canteens are covered by the Fast Food Industry Award 2010 [MA000003] (Fast Food Award)
Where can canteen employees and employers find more information?
For more information, visit www.fairwork.gov.au
Click on the orange rectangle in the centre that says “Finding the Right Pay” and go to #3 the Pay Rates Calculator. Or you can call them on 13 13 94.
Healthy Kids cannot advise at which level your canteen manager should be paid as this is the employers responsibility. The Fairwork helpline can provide and support you with this. They can be contacted on 13 13 94 or go to their website.
Go to www.fairwork.gov.au and follow the “Finding the Right Pay” links to download a full copy of the award and the Pay Rates Calculator.
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