The government is looking at how technology can make it simpler for employers to pay their staff and employ more people.
Using technology to make compliance easier
Technology is helping businesses solve complex problems and be more efficient.
Business owners are using technology to help with compliance too. For example, they may use payroll or other business software to help them interpret and comply with modern awards. However, most payroll software does not include this ability, relying instead on a manual process which is time consuming and prone to error.
That is why the government is looking at ways that technology can make it easier for businesses to comply with modern awards. Regulatory technology solutions can save employers time, allowing them to focus on growing their business, while also giving them and their staff greater confidence that they will be paid correctly.
This started with a co-design process involving:
- the Fair Work Commission
- the Fair Work Ombudsman
- small businesses
- employer representatives
- unions
- representatives from the payroll and business software industry.
The process examined potential approaches to support innovation that makes it easier for businesses, especially small businesses, to meet their modern award obligations.
Results of the co-design process
The co-design process has delivered a regulatory technology roadmap of short, medium and long term opportunities to help employers use technology to comply with modern awards, reduce costs and improve compliance.
In May 2021 the government announced a $9.9 million package to implement the first steps in the roadmap. This funding will be used:
- to support the development of regulatory technology solutions to allow payroll and business software developers to integrate, in real-time, data on award pay and conditions directly from the Fair Work Commission directly into payroll and business products at a lower cost
- to work closely with the business technology sector and encourage innovation and promote some of the current tools and resources to small businesses
- to run a special Business Research and Innovation Initiative grants round (commencing 2022) to fund feasibility studies and prototype development of innovative technology solutions to support small businesses comply with modern awards.
RegTech Award Compliance Strategic Working Group
We have established the RegTech Award Compliance Strategic Working Group to support ongoing engagement with the business technology sector. The Working Group's purpose is to support and enable innovation and uptake in technology solutions to assist businesses to better understand and comply with modern awards and the Fair Work Act 2009.
The group comprises representatives from government and the business technology sector. It meets every 2 months.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) from new members
We are seeking expressions of interest from organisations working in the business technology sector that would like to be members of this group. We want diverse membership, and encourage EOIs from organisations of all sizes and from both start-ups and established organisations.
Membership will be decided according to expertise, alignment with the Working Group's purpose, and representation requirements.
To find out more, read the RegTech Award Compliance Strategic Working Group Charter.
To submit an EOI, complete and submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) Form by 31 May 2022.
Available resources
More information for employers and employees is available at:
To learn about awards and pay rates, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT).
Related links
RegTech Award Compliance Strategic Working Group Charter
RegTech Award Compliance Strategic Working Group Expression of Interest (EOI) Form