During 2014 to 15, FWBC commenced 197 new investigations into suspected breaches of workplace laws.
Table 2.9 sets out the summary of investigations. Of investigations commenced or ongoing from previous periods, 213 were finalised and 124 remained ongoing as at 30 June 2015. The number of new investigations commenced is lower than in previous years reflecting the agency’s significant shift in core business priority away from high-volume, low-complexity wages and entitlement matters to more complex matters such as coercion, freedom of association, unlawful industrial action and right of entry.
Investigation | 2013 - 14 | 2014 - 15 |
---|---|---|
New investigations commenced during the reporting period | 327 | 197 |
Investigations finalised | 283 | 213 |
Investigations continuing | 106 | 124 |
Table 2.10 sets out the breakdown of new investigations on a state-by-state basis and shows Queensland remains the jurisdiction with the highest number of investigations.The number of new investigations in other states has decreased, reflecting the shift to more sustained and complex work on existing investigations.
State | 2013 - 14 | 2014 - 15 |
---|---|---|
NSW | 66 | 39 |
VIC | 67 | 39 |
QLD | 72 | 78 |
WA | 41 | 18 |
SA | 58 | 6 |
TAS | 2 | 0 |
ACT | 10 | 14 |
NT | 10 | 3 |
Total | 327 | 197 |
Types of contraventions investigated
During 2014 to 15, FWBC investigated 948 contraventions of Commonwealth workplace laws.
The significant types of contraventions continue to reflect core agency business, with right of entry contraventions representing the largest portion of matters at 40%, and freedom of association, unlawful industrial action and coercion making up the other significant areas of investigation.
Table 2.11 sets out the types of contraventions investigated.
Type | 2013 - 14 | 2014 - 15 |
---|---|---|
Right of Entry | 234 | 382 |
Freedom of association | 152 | 211 |
Coercion | 149 | 149 |
Unlawful industrial action | 112 | 142 |
Strike pay | 42 | 49 |
Wages and entitlements | 154 | 9 |
Sham contracting | 47 | 6 |
Total | 327 | 948 |