Investigations

During 2015–16, FWBC commenced 130 new investigations into suspected breaches of workplace laws. Table 7 (below) sets out the summary of investigations. Of investigations commenced or ongoing from previous periods, 167 were finalised and 48 remained ongoing as at 30 June 2016. The number of new investigations reflects the agency's continued focus on investigating core business matters of coercion, freedom of association, unlawful industrial action and right of entry.

Table 8 (right) sets out the breakdown of new investigations on a state-by-state basis and shows that Queensland remains the jurisdiction with the highest number of investigations.

1. The number of investigations continuing was incorrectly reported in FWBC's 2014–15 Annual Report as 124. The correct number of investigations continuing was 105.

Types of contraventions investigated

During 2015–16, FWBC investigated 551 alleged 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 31%. Coercion, freedom of association and unlawful industrial action made up the other significant areas of investigation.

Table 9 sets out the types of contraventions investigated.