The country’s largest and most diverse industry group for the retail sector, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has lodged an application to vary the General Retail Industry Award (GRIA) with the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the application marks an important opportunity for ARA members and the wider retail sector to simplify the GRIA and provide greater flexibility for employers and employees.

“The retail award is the cornerstone of workplace arrangements for our sector and is used extensively by retailers across the country – from small businesses to large national employers,” said Mr Zahra.

“As our sector continues to meet changing consumer behaviour and workforce demands, our award should be more responsive and allow for the flexibility that employers need and employees want.

“With 994 individual rates of pay across 96 pages, our award also needs to be simpler to understand, so employees are clear on their entitlements and employers are clear on their obligations.

“That’s why we are lodging an application to vary the GRIA,” said Mr Zahra.

The application builds upon the ARA’s submission to the FWC review into award usability, submitted in December 2023.

“We respect the FWC Award Review being conducted under the direction of President Adam Hatcher.

“However, there are a number of opportunities to improve the GRIA that fall outside the terms of the current review. We are confident our application is a fair and balanced response to these opportunities.

“We look forward to engaging with the FWC and industry stakeholders in coming months as we progress our application,” said Mr Zahra.

The ARA’s application, along with supporting documents, is available on the ARA’s website and will be mentioned in the FWC Award Review Directions Hearing on Wednesday, 07 February 2024.