The power of the purse

Women make 85% of consumer purchase decisions and research shows women support brands which support gender equality. How can...

Women make 85% of consumer purchase decisions and research shows women support brands which support gender equality. How can your business access this Female Economy (or 'Femeconomy') purchasing power? In Australia alone during 2015-16 women spent $198.9 billion. Femeconomy is a social enterprise, role modelling Female Leadership and Entrepreneurship, and...

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Message from the CEO: 26 April 2017

It is hard to believe that we are nearly one third of the way through 2017 and it has...

It is hard to believe that we are nearly one third of the way through 2017 and it has proven to be a busy year so far for retail. At the NRA we understand that you’re under enough stress with the day-to-day running of your business which is why we...

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What do the 457 Visa changes mean?

By Ian Parker, Migration Agent There's been a lot of press and hype around the changes to the 457 visa...

By Ian Parker, Migration Agent There's been a lot of press and hype around the changes to the 457 visa system - so what does it really mean for employers who employ workers on a 457 visa? Background The original 457 visa required applicants to have a skill on the Consolidated Sponsored...

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Bankruptcy no protection for directors

By Alex Millman and Troy Wild, NRA Legal On 13 April 2017 Judge Hartnett of the Federal Circuit Court handed...

By Alex Millman and Troy Wild, NRA Legal On 13 April 2017 Judge Hartnett of the Federal Circuit Court handed down her decision in Balemain v Mobilia Manufacturing & Anor, an application for lost remuneration and pecuniary penalties for sham contracting. The application named both the employer company and the individual...

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Beechworth Bakery EBA overturned

Written by Alex Millman and Troy Wild, NRA Legal After rigorous action by the Shop, Distributive and Applied Employees Association...

Written by Alex Millman and Troy Wild, NRA Legal After rigorous action by the Shop, Distributive and Applied Employees Association (SDA), bakery chain Beechworth Bakery has had the approval of its enterprise bargaining agreement in December 2016 overturned by a decision of the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission. Throughout the...

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HAVE YOUR SAY: Pay Protection Bill

The Fair Work (Pay Protection) Bill 2017 (Cth) makes several amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 that, if...

The Fair Work (Pay Protection) Bill 2017 (Cth) makes several amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 that, if passed, will have serious implications for employers using Enterprise Agreements approved after 1 January 2010. We are preparing a submission to the Fair Work Commission on the proposed changes. If you...

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Message from the CEO: 18 April 2017

In recent months a number of Australian newspapers and blogs have been identifying international companies that are looking to...

In recent months a number of Australian newspapers and blogs have been identifying international companies that are looking to enter the Australian retail market. Retail giant Amazon is expected to open their doors on Australian soil sometime later this year.  The Australian Financial Review (AFR) has published a number of...

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More makeovers for department stores and shopping precincts

Source: Inside Retail More department stores and shopping centres are undergoing facelifts to meet contemporary trends and demand. BRISBANE: Property investor, Precision...

Source: Inside Retail More department stores and shopping centres are undergoing facelifts to meet contemporary trends and demand. BRISBANE: Property investor, Precision Group, has begun a major redevelopment of MacArthur Central Shopping Centre in Brisbane’s CBD. The redevelopment includes the relocation and expansion of jewellery house, Hardy Brothers, from Queen Street which...

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Enterprise Agreements: New NERR published

By Lucy Harper and Troy Wild, NRA Legal In February this year the Turnbull Government quietly issued the Fair Work Amendment...

By Lucy Harper and Troy Wild, NRA Legal In February this year the Turnbull Government quietly issued the Fair Work Amendment (Notice of Employee Representational Rights) Regulations 2017 (‘Regulation’), which was an amendment aimed at removing a technical barrier to approval of enterprise agreements. When negotiating a new enterprise agreement, an employer must...

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VIC Govt launches WorkHealth

by Alex Millman, NRA Legal Victorian Government announces worker mental health assistance program On 11 April 2017, the Andrews Victorian government...

by Alex Millman, NRA Legal Victorian Government announces worker mental health assistance program On 11 April 2017, the Andrews Victorian government unveiled its new program to assist employers in managing mental health in the workplace, WorkHealth. Launched jointly by Minister for Finance Robin Scott and Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley, WorkHealth...

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Single Touch Payroll: important information for employers

The Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016 received Royal Assent in September 2016 and the changes will streamline the way...

The Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016 received Royal Assent in September 2016 and the changes will streamline the way employers report some tax and superannuation information to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). When employers pay their staff, the employees’ salary or wages and PAYG withholding amounts will be automatically reported...

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Update: Changes to the Fast Food Industry Award 2010

On 23 February 2017, the Fair Work Commission handed down its draft determination on penalty rates in a number...

On 23 February 2017, the Fair Work Commission handed down its draft determination on penalty rates in a number of modern awards. Specifically, changes to the evening and late night work loadings under the Fast Food Industry Award 2010, were due to take effect on the 27 March 2017. These...

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Message from the CEO: 11 April 2017

What a heartbreaking fortnight it has been for so many of you on the east coast of Australia. We...

What a heartbreaking fortnight it has been for so many of you on the east coast of Australia. We have seen family homes, local schools, roads and local businesses decimated in many communities throughout Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. We want to iterate that we are here to assist...

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New Digital Scorecard rates businesses

All organisations, big and small, need to take advantage of the latest technologies to thrive. The Queensland Government has launched...

All organisations, big and small, need to take advantage of the latest technologies to thrive. The Queensland Government has launched a new tool to help small-to-medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organisations get better prepared to take advantage of digital technologies. The Digital Scorecard will help businesses identify ways to improve their digital...

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Are you adequately insured?

Free insurance program review for NRA members Whether you’re a small business or a large group of companies, it’s important...

Free insurance program review for NRA members Whether you’re a small business or a large group of companies, it’s important to review your business insurance from time to time. Changes that occur in your business can leave you underinsured or open to new risks, and there is always the chance...

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HeadCoach tackles mental health in the workplace

The prevalence of depression and anxiety among Australians is high and often goes unrecognised, despite the substantial labour cost...

The prevalence of depression and anxiety among Australians is high and often goes unrecognised, despite the substantial labour cost of mental illness in Australia (estimated to be $49 billion). Supervisors hold a key leadership responsibility in managing and enhancing the welfare and mental health of their staff. Clear guidelines have...

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