Undergraduate qualifications review

On 13 June 2019, a Full Bench in [2019] FWCFB 3949 issued a decision concerning an application by the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA) for increases to the minimum rates of pay for pharmacists in the Pharmacy Industry Award 2010 on work value grounds.

The Full Bench found that there was a lack of alignment in pay rates and relativities as between pharmacists (who require a four-year undergraduate degree) under the Pharmacy Industry Award 2010 and those for classifications requiring equivalent qualifications under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2010, as well as a lack of consistent relationship with the Australian Qualifications Framework.

The Full Bench expressed the view that this issue may affect other awards which contain classifications applying to employees who are required to hold undergraduate qualifications and referred this matter to the President for consideration as to the procedural course to be taken under section 582 of the Fair Work Act 2019.

On 27 August 2019, the President issued a Statement ([2019] FWC 5934) and expressed a provisional view that the awards with classifications requiring undergraduate degrees should be referred to a separate Full Bench for review.

Parties were invited to comment on:

• the President’s provisional view set out at paragraph [13] of the Statement
• the accuracy of the list of awards at Attachment A and whether they have an interest in other awards that should be part of this list, and
• whether the Full Bench should consider additional awards as part of the priority group.