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.

Table 2.9 Summary of Investigations
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.

Table 2.10 State Breakdown of New 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.

Table 2.11 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