Workplace Rights Advocate

The Office of the Workplace Rights Advocate was set up in March 2006 to:

• protect the employment rights of workers who were struggling to cope with changes introduced under the now obsolete WorkChoices system, and
• promote fair and cooperative workplace practices

With the development of a fairer and more cooperative national workplace system, which will contain legislated minimum employment standards, the Victorian Government has announced that the OWRA will cease to operate from 31 December 2008, including the Workplace Rights Information Line.

If you have a specific query or complaint about a workplace issue the following agencies may be able to help you.

Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission

Information and advice on discrimination issues
Tel: 1800 134 142
Web: www.equalopportunitycommission.vic.gov.au

WorkSafe

Workplace safety information and advice
Tel: 1800 136 089
Web: www.workcover.vic.gov.au

Workplace Authority

Advice, assistance, information and education on workplace agreements and awards
Tel: 1300 363 264
Web: www.workplaceauthority.gov.au

Workplace Ombudsman

Information on federal workplace laws, investigation of complaints
Tel: 1300 724 200
Web: www.wo.gov.au

Australian industrial Relations Commission (AIRC)

Information on awards, agreements and dispute resolution
Tel: 1300 799 675
Web: www.airc.gov.au

Australian Human Rights Commission

Information and advice on federal anti-discrimination laws
Tel: 1300 369 711
Web: www.humanrights.gov.au

The Australian Taxation Office

Information on your taxation and superannuation obligations
Tel: Superannuation enquiries – 13 10 20

Business tax enquiries

Tel: 13 28 66
Web: www.ato.gov.au