FOR EMPLOYERS IN THE VICTORIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
LeavePlus Transformation Projects Underway
Welcome to our April-June 2024 edition of LeavePlus News for employers. In our last edition of LeavePlus News we introduced our members to two major projects which will revolutionise the scheme – our business transformation project and our office building refurbishment. We are excited to bring you updates about these projects and other recent news and developments at LeavePlus.
Building Refurbishment
I am pleased to report that our ground floor extension and new member centre are on track to be completed in October 2024. The second stage of our office refurbishment also commences in late August and involves renovating multiple floors of our office building for our new office space. The vision for the project is to create a cohesive and contemporary work space that will provide LeavePlus with all the tools and technology that are essential for a modern digital regulator of a portable entitlement scheme. We hope to be moving into our new office space before the end of the year and look forward to sharing more progress updates throughout 2024.
Business Transformation Project
Our business transformation project is now also well underway. The LeavePlus Industry Working Group has already held several interactive workshop sessions with a diverse group of employer and worker members to explore critical issues related to the mechanisms of the scheme and how they are administered. The transformation project team is also working on process and technology improvements that are to be released across our member-facing systems in the coming months. The first release will centre around enhancements to the claim application form, login processes, and member profiles.
Scheme Coverage Changes
From time-to-time LeavePlus has the opportunity to welcome different types of trade work into the construction industry long service leave scheme. From 1 July 2024 there are changes to the type of work covered under the rules of the scheme in relation to offsite precast concrete (precast work) and the electrical assembly of switchboards in a workshop (switchboard work). We advise all employers who engage in this type of work to review these changes to ensure that they comply with the rules and do not risk penalties related to non-compliance.
Board Of Directors
In May we welcomed Stephen Fodrocy to the Board of Directors as the representative for metal trade workers. Stephen has previous been a lawyer in the public service and has been an industrial officer of the AMWU since 2022, with experience representing metal workers and their interests in negotiations and before the Fair Work Commission and Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
New Regulator Partnerships – Fair Jobs Code Unit
LeavePlus has recently partnered with the Fair Jobs Code Unit (FJCU) in a move that will ensure greater compliance across the construction industry in Victoria. The Fair Jobs Code is a set of rules that suppliers and businesses must follow when working with the Victorian Government. In partnering with fellow industry regulators and collaborating on compliance checks, LeavePlus is helping to make sure that your business can continue to thrive and that non-compliant employers are not able to gain any competitive advantage in tender processes by neglecting their long service leave obligations.
Craig Bell
Chief Executive Officer, LeavePlus
LeavePlus Updates
Let’s take a look at some of the key messages and current talking points from LeavePlus.
Workers Days and Wages due 14 July
The April to Jun 2024 Workers Days and Wages (WDW) return is now available for employers to complete on the LeavePlus Portal.
The due date for submission is 14 July 2024.
As the industry regulator and administrator of the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Scheme, LeavePlus applies strict legal and financial consequences for non-compliance relating to worker registration and return submission.
All employers should familiarise themselves with the requirements as an employer under the Act and the consequences of non-compliance at our Employer Obligations webpage.
If you require assistance or are unable to submit your WDW return before the due date, please call our member services team on 03 9664 7677 or 1300 264 683.
Offsite Precast Work Covered From 1 July 2024
From time to time LeavePlus has the opportunity to welcome different types of trade work into the construction industry long service leave scheme. Sometimes this comes in the form of completely new additions to the trades covered by the scheme. In other cases it’s about expanding the breadth of coverage for trade types which may already be part of the scheme rules.
From 1 July 2024, all classes of trades, plant operator and labour work associated with the offsite construction, production, erection, or installation of precast concrete elements for construction projects (offsite precast work) will be covered by the portable long service leave scheme administered by LeavePlus.
This change will bring offsite precast work into line with onsite precast work which is already covered by the LeavePlus scheme.
Offsite Switchboard Work Covered From 1 July 2024
From time to time LeavePlus has the opportunity to welcome different types of trade work into the construction industry long service leave scheme. Sometimes this comes in the form of completely new additions to the trades covered by the scheme, and other times it centres more around expanding the breadth of coverage for trade types which may already be part of the scheme rules.
From 1 July 2024, all classes of trades, plant operator and labour work associated with the electrical assembly of switchboards (switchboard work) will be covered by the portable long service leave scheme administered by LeavePlus. This change brings switchboard work in line with other Electrical Services work which has been covered by the LeavePlus scheme since 1998. It also brings offsite work into line with onsite work, with onsite assembly of electrical switchboards also covered by the scheme since 1998.
Offsite Switchboard Work Covered From 1 July 2024
From 1 July 2024, all classes of trades, plant operator and labour work associated with the electrical assembly of switchboards in a workshop (switchboard work) will be covered by LeavePlus.
This change brings switchboard work in line with other Electrical Services work which has been covered by the LeavePlus scheme since 1998.
It also brings offsite work into line with onsite work, with onsite assembly of electrical switchboards also covered by the scheme since 1998.
Offsite Precast Work Covered From 1 July 2024
From 1 July 2024, all classes of trades, plant operator and labour work associated with the offsite construction, production, erection, or installation of precast concrete elements for construction projects (offsite precast work) will be covered by the portable long service leave scheme administered by LeavePlus.
This change will bring offsite precast work into line with onsite precast work which is already covered by the LeavePlus scheme.
Industry Working Group
As part of our organisational transformation, LeavePlus has set up an Industry Working Group and begun a series of interactive workshop sessions. The sessions have brought together representatives from trade unions, employer associations, and worker groups to give some insight into their experiences in dealing with LeavePlus and what they might like to see more of in the future. The overarching goal of these sessions is to address critical issues related to the mechanisms of the scheme and how they are administered.
Simplifying the “Returns” Process for Employers:
One of the primary focuses of the working group is to streamline the administrative burden faced by employers during the “Returns” process. This process typically involves reporting and collating various payroll data points such as days worked, PAYG details and typical construction allowances, while making sure to exclude elements such as overtime and superannuation.
By simplifying this process and address knowledge gaps, the group aims to reduce paperwork, minimise errors, and enhance efficiency. Employers will benefit from a smoother experience, allowing them to allocate more time and resources to core business operations.
Equity for Part-Time Workers and Long Service Leave:
The working group recognises the importance of equitable treatment for part-time workers. Challenges arise for part-time workers, or those who perform partially covered trades, as it takes them a longer time period over which they are able to access long service leave due to the pro-rata accrual process. The working group is exploring potential solutions to address this disparity and create a more level playing field.
Member Feedback Driving Improvements
At LeavePlus we truly value feedback from our members on how we are delivering our products and services. While it’s obviously great to hear positive feedback, it’s even more important to gain insights from our members around some of their less-positive experiences and areas which require improvement. As part of our business transformation project, we have been focusing on addressing the major friction points for our members as the highest priority.
In the coming months, members can expect to see some changes around how they interact with LeavePlus. We will be installing process and technology improvements across our member-facing systems, starting with the claim application form, login flow, and your member profile page.
Claim Application Form
Improvements in the claim application form aim to address two high priorities for our members – efficiency and transparency.
The application form itself will be simpler and easier to complete, clearly guiding members through every stage of the process in easy-to-follow language. Worker members will also have clearer instructions on what to provide in the application and clarity around payment time frames.
Improving Login Experience
We are looking at ways to incorporate new functionality that will empower members with even more self-service options.
Convenience and increased security measures are key considerations when it comes to setting up your online access, logging in to the member portal, and resetting your password.
Optimising Member Profiles
We are also looking at different ways of structuring LeavePlus member profiles for both workers and employers. The aim is to increase self-service options and better connect data points provided by employers about their workers. Having accurate and up to date information about you and the work you do makes claiming your long service leave entitlement quicker and more efficient.
Feature Focus
New Partnerships Improving Compliance
LeavePlus has recently partnered with the Fair Jobs Code Unit (FJCU) in a move that will ensure greater compliance across the construction industry in Victoria. The FJCU is an administrative group within the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions with responsibilities in relation to the Fair Jobs Code.
The Fair Jobs Code promotes employment standards for suppliers and businesses that compete for high value government contracts and grants. It enables government to use its purchasing power to drive compliance with industrial relations and occupational health and safety laws and to promote fair working conditions, including secure work and supply-chain compliance.
Under the Code, suppliers and businesses seeking to be considered for Victorian Government procurement contracts must hold a pre-assessment certificate.
Under our partnership, we have provided the FJCU with access to our compliance checker tool. This tool enables the FJCU to reinforce their due diligence checks and determine whether a construction industry employer is registered with LeavePlus. These checks are done on employers seeking to get a pre-assessment certificate to be eligible to do government work.
The Victorian Government recently announced upcoming changes to the Fair Jobs Code by lowering the requirement to hold a pre-assessment certificate from $3 million for direct contracts and $10 million for subcontracts to $1 million (exclusive of GST) for all contracts.
This means that from 1 September 2024 the Fair Jobs Code pre-assessment certificate is mandatory for all tender and procurement contracts valued at $1 million or above with the Victorian Government.
We have already identified a number of unregistered employers through this process, and there is likely to be a notable increase in applications for pre-assessment certificates going forward. This means an even greater number of employers being cross-checked against their compliance with LeavePlus which is a positive for both the long service leave scheme and the Fair Jobs Code.
Just as with a pre-assessment certificate from the FJCU, an employer’s membership with LeavePlus is an important badge of compliance. It signals your commitment to your workers’ wellbeing and shows that you are supporting the vitality of the construction industry in Victoria. At LeavePlus we know that compliant employers like you should be able to attract the best workers, and that any employers who are flouting the rules are dealt with accordingly.
In partnering with fellow industry regulators and completing relevant compliance checks, LeavePlus is helping to make sure that your business can continue to thrive and that non-compliant employers are not able to gain any competitive advantage in tender processes by neglecting their long service leave obligations.
Contact the Fair Jobs Code Unit at fairjobscode@ecodev.vic.gov.au or visit their website to learn more about applying for a pre-assessment certificate.
CoINVEST Limited as Trustee for the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Fund (trading as LeavePlus) ABN: 35 078 004 985.
- 478 Albert St, East Melbourne
- 1300 264 683
- info@leaveplus.com.au
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