FairShield Blog
Award rate guides, compliance tips, regulatory updates, and practical advice for Australian small business owners and bookkeepers.
Voluntary Small Business Wage Compliance Code: Complete Guide for 2025-26
Everything you need to know about the Code, how it protects businesses with fewer than 15 employees from criminal prosecution, and what "reasonable steps" actually means in practice.
Hospitality Award Pay Rates 2025-26: What You Need to Know
Updated rates, penalty rates, casual loadings, and classification levels for the Hospitality Industry (General) Award after the July 2025 FWC annual wage review.
Criminal Wage Theft Laws: What Every Australian Employer Must Do Now
Since January 2025, intentional underpayment is a criminal offence. Here is what changed, what the penalties are, and the three steps every employer should take immediately.
Restaurant Award Pay Rates 2025-26: Penalty Rates, Split Shifts & More
The Restaurant Industry Award has some of the most complex penalty rate structures. Here is the complete breakdown including late-night penalties and split shift allowances.
How to Run a Payroll Compliance Self-Audit: Step-by-Step Guide
The FWO released a Payroll Remediation Program Guide telling employers how to self-audit. Here is how to follow it — and how FairShield automates 90% of the work.
Fast Food Award Pay Rates 2025-26: Junior Rates, Casual Loadings & Penalties
Complete guide to the Fast Food Industry Award rates for 2025-26, including the junior rate percentages that catch many employers out.
The FWO Recovered $473 Million Last Year: What It Means for Your Business
Breaking down the Fair Work Ombudsman enforcement statistics and what they signal about the regulatory environment for small business in 2025-26.
Hair and Beauty Award: Understanding Split Shifts, Public Holidays & Casual Rates
The Hair and Beauty Industry Award has unique provisions around split shifts and minimum engagement. Here is what every salon owner needs to know.
Casual Loading in Australia: The 25% Rule and Common Mistakes
Casual loading is simple in theory — 25% on top of the base rate. In practice, employers make costly errors with Saturday/Sunday interaction and loaded rates.
Public Holiday Pay Rates 2025-26: State-by-State Guide
Public holiday penalty rates vary by award and employment type. Plus, each state has different public holidays. Here is the complete guide.
SCHADS Award Pay Rates: The Most Complex Award Explained
The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award is notoriously complex. Here is how to navigate client-directed care, broken shifts, and sleepover provisions.
Bookkeeper Guide: How to Offer Wage Compliance Services to Your Clients
Your SME clients are scared about the new wage theft laws. Here is how to turn their anxiety into a new revenue line worth $3,000+/month.
Overtime Rules in Australia: When Does Overtime Apply Under Each Award?
Overtime triggers differ by award, employment type, and even day of the week. Here is a definitive guide to overtime rules across the major Modern Awards.
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