As Australia’s Economy Takes Center Stage After Boasting More than 16 Years of Continued Growth, It’s Safe to Say Business is Booming and Australian Employers Now Have an Arsenal of Tools at Their Fingertips to Make Sure They Stay on Top!    

An international spotlight continues to shine on Australia, shedding light on its thriving economy and booming businesses across the country. And as word travels across the globe, more and more people are looking to buy businesses in Australia.  

Recognizing this, the Australian Government recently launched WorkChoices, which addresses work issues in Australia and is an unbelievable resource for anyone looking into buying a business in Australia.  

This demonstrates the Australian Government’s commitment to small business owners in Australia and their employees, as one of the goals of WorkChoices is to provide more opportunities for both parties.  

In fact, WorkChoices was created to encourage a new single workplace relations system, one that is easier to understand and less costly than the old industrial relations system it replaces, which has been sharply criticized for stifling productivity and flexibility.  

Using WorkChoices as a catalyst, it is believed that Australia can now successfully move towards a single national workplace relations system – one that benefits owners of a business in Australia, as well as the employees.  

One of the first benefits small business owners in Australia will see is a more employment-friendly system, which makes it easier to incorporate and access the benefits of the WorkChoices system, with the upfront fee payable to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for establishing a new company reduced from $800 to $400, at a cost of $216 million over four years.  

As a national workplace relations system, WorkChoices provides choice and flexibility for employers in the workplace, identifying ways to reward employee effort, increase wages, and more, while making information on important issues such as how to better balance work and family life more readily available.  

While there is information for employees, as well, WorkChoices provides current news, case studies, fact sheets and more, as well as specific tips, tools and resources for employers and small businesses, detailing the following:  

Pay and Conditions
Legislation
Assistance Schemes
Events
Employer
Advisor Program
National Advisor Network

Users can access information and a virtual library of current information on the website, or call theWorkChoices Infoline on 1300 363 264.  

Currently there are informative case studies available for the following industries:  

Engineering
Packaging
Funerals
Printing and Packaging  

You can look for the case studies to be continually expanded.  

Helping employers and small business owners to understand how Australia’s national system applies to their unique business, WorkChoices is helping to bridge the gap that existed between government and the business owner, helping to facilitate better relationships and a better understanding of what is required of someone buying a business in Australia.  

For instance, it’s a one-stop shop for pertinent information on Australia’s minimum rates of pay, Australia’s annual leave and parental leave, time and wage records, and so much more.  

Also, if you buy a business in Australia, you may find it mutually beneficial to make your employees aware of WorkChoices, where they will find information especially for them as members of the Australian workforce.    

This is the first in a series of articles on resources available to business owners in Australia. You will find additional articles and details of additional resources just for Australian business owners also located on this website.