Appendix F: Methodology for Figure 6 – number of Commission sittings, various

Number of Commission sittings, various

The following summarises the methods used to analyse the sittings of the Commission between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2015 (Figure 6 – Commission sittings for various types of applications, 2009–10 to 2014–15).

Sittings refer to conferences and hearing room usage for hearings, directions and mentions. The majority of sittings are conducted by Members of the Commission. However, a small number of sittings overseen by conciliators are included in the analysis (these are limited to unfair dismissal dispute resolution proceedings that require the Commission's videolink facilities). Unfair dismissal conciliations that take place by phone are not included in the count of sittings.

Table F1 provides an overview of the number of hearings, conferences and other sittings required to process the four matter types shown in Figure 6: agreements, legislated reviews, matters related to industrial action, and unfair dismissal matters.²

Notes: The spike in legislated reviews in the 2011–12 financial year can be attributed to the large number of listings that year for the variation and termination of certain transitional instruments to take account of Part 10A award modernisation process pursuant to Schedule 5, Item 3 of the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009. In 2012–13, the number of listings under this provision had dropped to zero.

2. A quantitative profile of the Commission's listings requires a calculation of all sitting dates across all locations. For example, the annual wage review is listed for decision at the Commission's offices in Melbourne. However, the decision may also be listed for decision via videolink at other locations across Australia. In these circumstances, the number of sitting dates includes a count for both the Melbourne hearing and the hearings at each videolink location.

Source: Fair Work Commission, Case Management System Plus (CMS plus), unpublished data.

Table F2 shows the types of matters that are included under the four case load categories.