AT794740CRA - Retail and Wholesale Industry - Shop Employees - Australian Capital Territory - Award 2000 [Transitional]
19. SUPPORTED WAGE SYSTEM FOR EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES
This clause defines the conditions which will apply to employees who because of the effects of a disability are eligible for a supported wage under the terms of this award. In the context of this clause, the following definitions will apply:
19.1 Definitions
19.1.1 Supported wage system means the Commonwealth Government system to promote employment for people who cannot work at full award wages because of a disability, as documented in Supported Wage System: Guidelines and Assessment Process
19.1.2 Accredited assessor means a person accredited by the management unit established by the Commonwealth under the supported wage system to perform assessments of an individual’s productive capacity within the supported wage system.
19.1.3 Disability support pension means the Commonwealth pension scheme to provide income security for persons with a disability as provided under the Social Security Act 1991, as amended, or any successor to that scheme.
19.1.4 Assessment document means the form provided for under the supported wage system that records the assessment of the productive capacity of the person to be employed under the supported wage system.
19.2 Eligibility criteria
19.2.1 Employees covered by this clause will be those who are unable to perform the range of duties to the competence level required within the class of work for which the employee is engaged under this award, because of the effects of a disability on their productive capacity and who meet the impairment criteria for receipt of a disability support pension.
19.2.2 The clause does not apply to any existing employee who has a claim against the employer which is subject to the provisions of workers’ compensation legislation or any provision of this award relating to the rehabilitation of employees who are injured in the course of their current employment.
19.2.3 The award does not apply to employers for their facility, programme, undertaking service or the like which receives funding under the Disability Services Act 1986 (Disability Act) and fulfils the dual role of service provider and sheltered employer to people with disabilities who are in receipt of or are eligible for a disability support pension, except to an organisation which has received recognition under s.10 or under s.12A of the Disability Act, or if a part only has received recognition, that part.
19.3 Supported wage rates
19.3.1 Employees to whom this clause applies are entitled to be paid the appropriate percentage of the minimum rate of pay prescribed by this award for the class of work which the person is performing according to the following schedule:
Assessed capacity |
% of prescribed award rate |
(Refer. 19.4) |
|
10%* |
10% |
20% |
20% |
30% |
30% |
40% |
40% |
50% |
50% |
60% |
60% |
70% |
70% |
80% |
80% |
90% |
90% |
[19.3.2 varied by PR904201 PR918555 PR933942 PR949932 PR961624 PR975747; PR979192 ppc 04Oct07]
19.3.2 However the minimum amount payable must be not less than $66 each week.
19.3.3 * Where a person’s assessed capacity is 10%, they must receive a high degree of help and support.
19.4 Assessment of capacity
For the purpose of establishing the percentage of the award rate to be paid to an employee under this award, the productive capacity of the employee will be assessed under the Supported Wage System and documented in an assessment document by either:
19.4.1 The employer and a union party to the award, in consultation with the employee or, if desired by any of these;
19.4.2 The employer and an Accredited Assessor from a panel agreed by the parties to the award and the employee.
19.5 Lodgement of assessment document
19.5.1 All assessment documents under the conditions of this clause, including the appropriate percentage of the award wage to be paid to the employee, must be lodged by the employer with the Registrar of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
19.5.2 All assessment documents must be agreed and signed by the parties to the assessment, however where a union which is party to the award, is not a party to the assessment, it must be referred by the Registrar to the union by certified mail and will take effect unless an objection is notified to the Registrar within ten working days.
19.6 Review of assessment
The assessment of the appropriate percentage should be subject to annual review or earlier on the basis of a reasonable request for a review. The process of review must be under the procedures for assessing capacity under the supported wage system.
19.7 Other terms and conditions of employment
Where an assessment has been made, the appropriate percentage will apply to the wage rate only. Employees covered by the provisions of the clause will be entitled to equal terms and conditions of employment as all other workers covered by this award paid on a pro rata basis.
19.8 Workplace adjustment
An employer wishing to employ a person under the provisions of this clause must take reasonable steps to make changes in the workplace to enhance the employee’s capacity to do the job. Changes may involve re-design of job duties, working time arrangements and work organisation in consultation with other workers in the area.
19.9 Trial period
19.9.1 In order for an adequate assessment of the employee’s capacity to be made, an employer may employ a person under the provisions of this clause for a trial period not exceeding twelve weeks, except that in some cases additional work adjustment time (not exceeding four weeks) may be needed.
19.9.2 During that trial period the assessment of capacity must be undertaken and the proposed wage rate for a continuing employment relationship must be determined.
[19.9.3 varied by PR904201 PR918555 PR933942 PR949932 PR961624 PR975747; PR979192 ppc 04Oct07]
19.9.3 The minimum amount payable to the employee during the trial period must be no less than $66 each week.
19.9.4 Work trials should include induction or training as appropriate to the job being trialled.
19.9.5 Where the employer and employee wish to establish a continuing employment relationship following the completion of the trial period, a further contract of employment must be entered into based on the outcome of assessment under 19.4.
