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Disability Action Week

Disability Action Week encourages employers to consider how improving access will not only boost their bottom line by recruiting and retaining staff with disability, they will be also be taking positive steps to being accessible to customers living with disability.

Are You Ready For What Happens on 7 December 2023?

If you have a Zombie Agreement in your business, prepare for change from 7 December, when Zombie Agreements will not exist as an Agreement that applies to your employees.

Here’s a sneak peek of Workforce Evolve

Workforce Evolve is a free program designed to assist employers attract and retain a wider range of employees particularly from new and different groups.

Learn on demand. Become Workforce Evolve Verified. Get support setting up workplace practices through a D&I lens.

International Day of the Older Person | Are you unlocking all segments of job seekers?

In 2023, an older worker is 61-65 years of age as compared with 50-55 years of age in 2021.

“The perception of what constitutes an older worker has risen, which is good news from the point of view of both employers and employees.

A diverse workforce enhances innovation, creativity and development to improve business performance and competitiveness.

Positive Duty to Prevent Sexual Harassment: What it means for employers

The Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment came into effect on 12 December 2022, and amended both the Sex Discrimination Act  and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986. Why is this important? Get the summary guidelines, employers Guiding Principles and more.

Member Story: Getting on the with the job

Paul Milevskiy looks to his business future with a place in the state’s most established business network   

Knowing his business interests are represented is something mechanic business owner Paul Milevskiy holds in high regard.  

It was during the global pandemic when Paul and his small team were forced to manage a business thorough restrictions and challenges, alongside the state’s business community. 

Did you hear the news? Workforce Evolve is now live!

Today the Business Chamber Queensland Workforce Evolve team, CEO Heidi Cooper and the Honourable Di Farmer, Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice officially launched Workforce Evolve at local business, Norman Park Sports and Community Club.

‘Absolutely critical’ businesses understand the impact of Workplace Health and Safety obligations

New Work Health and Safety obligations have come into effect over the past 12 months and it is crucial businesses of all sizes and industries know what changes mean for them and their workforce.

What Are Reasonable Adjustments?

A recent decision of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia highlights the requirement for employers to either make reasonable adjustments for employees with a disability if they don’t face unjustifiable hardship by doing so.  

The following article explores the case and what it could mean for businesses.

Getting in Hot Water in the Heat of the Moment

A recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) decision confirms the need for employers to carefully consider whether an employee’s resignation could give rise to special circumstances that would render it unreasonable to recognise the resignation.

Amendments to the Paid Parental Leave Scheme – Are You Up to Speed?

On 6 March 2023, the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Improvements for Families and Gender Equality) Bill passed both houses of Parliament. As a result of this legislative change, the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth) is soon to be amended. What Has Changed?  

Workplace relations update: Changes to job advertisement rules

Recent amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (‘FW Act’) prohibit the publishing of incorrect pay rates in job advertisements.

What it means for business?

Where you seek to publish a pay rate in a job advertisement,  that pay rate cannot be less than the minimum pay rate for the job as provided for in the relevant industrial instrument, or as provided by the National Minimum Wage.

Workplace relations update: What New Psychosocial Hazards Code of Practice means for businesses

A new Code of Practice, the Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice 2022 (‘Code’) will come into effect on April 1, 2023. 

Consultation begins for New Workplace Reform

A number of amendments occurred in late 2022, and other amendments will continue to do so until December 2023.  

There are further reform objectives expected in the second half of this year. As highlighted by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, the following is a summary of reform objectives for later in 2023. 

Special workforce strategy insights event

Business Chamber Queensland has brought together small and medium businesses from across construction, engineering, recruitment, healthcare and social assistance, software and more to discuss workforce challenges, and the future of work. 

More than 100 stakeholders connected at the event about the issues facing Queensland’s workforce, and to hear new ideas from guest speakers.  

Business Matters | Leading the sustainable business agenda

Queensland’s business leaders came together last month to examine the major economic issues impacting the state and hear from thought leaders and policymakers at the inaugural Business Matters event.

How our policy and advocacy influenced outcomes from the Regional Banking Taskforce

Business Chamber Queensland often makes submissions to the Queensland Government on policy issues impacting businesses. In this example, we look at the policy and advocacy process and how Business Chamber Queensland's response to the Australian Government’s (Treasury) Regional Banking Taskforce Issues Paper influenced outcomes for Queensland business.   

The Future of the Queensland Workforce: learning, automation, skills

Looking at the Workforce of the future, there are key elements that need to be considered now to ensure that businesses are ready to take up future opportunities.  

Probation and New Employees

Probation is a universal practice in Australian workplaces; however, many employers are not aware of the implications of Probation in Australian law. Probation is an important aspect of the employment relationship but can often be misunderstood and getting it wrong can be costly for employers. 

This article provides employers with a greater understanding of the principles of Probation and the pitfalls of termination during Probation. 

Queensland Future of Work Life: Mental Health and Wellbeing Focus

Worker’s connection to the meaning and fulfilment of work is becoming increasingly more important, especially for upcoming generations, and future work life for businesses will need to be inclusive, supportive and flexible to incorporate diversity needs of workers.

What new COVID advice means for you and your business

The Queensland Government will on November 11 update advice on COVID, changing the alert status from green to amber.

It means there are moderate rates of community transmission and Queensland is coming off a wave or may be entering a new wave.

Sustainability, mental health, re-skilling and other Federal Budget wins

Businesses have been afforded a range of commitments in the areas of sustainability, mental health support, internet connectivity and workforce re-skilling in the Federal Budget.  

Timely commitments to the national business sector are essential to support businesses to maintain day-to-day productivity and thrive long term.   

The future of workplaces in Queensland | Trends, insights and impacts

A workplace is not just a place where people congregate – it is a dynamic ecosystem, which can help or hinder employees from utilising their skills to achieve business goals. The Future of Work survey sought to understand the top future workplace concerns for Queensland businesses.

Business outcomes from the QLD Energy and Jobs Plan

This week the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan was released as part of the Premier’s 2022 State of the State address.  

In the plan, new renewable energy targets will be 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035.

What does this mean for business?

What Happened at the Jobs and Skills Summit and QLD Workforce Strategy

What are the goals of the Jobs and Skills Summit?

What will the Future of Work be in Queensland?

The future is already in the home, the street, and the workplace in the form of smartphones, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), driving assistance, remote work, the Cloud and more. Many technological improvements and social changes are likely to impact Queensland businesses, what will that mean for the future of work?

7 Steps to Earn Traditional Media Coverage and Benefit your Business

CCIQ’s masterclass at Brisbane Business Hub presented by Rebecca Archer, award-winning media trainer and podcast producer, and Emma Clarke, Media and Communications Advisor at CCIQ, focused on understanding news values, the importance of forming journalism contacts, identifying business stories and pinpointing what makes a business newsworthy.  Read highlights from the masterclass.

1 July Super, wages and other changes QLD Businesses need to be aware of

Fundamentals of exporting, freight logistics and export market diversification

CCIQ invited industry experts to share their insights on export markets diversification and supply chain logistical challenges, both key priorities for Australian exporters over the last two years, while providing an overview on how to become a successful exporter. Click to read insights from this masterclass.

Changes to industrial relations, what businesses need to know

A new Federal Government means changes to industrial relations. Now the election is over, CCIQ HR Services takes a look at the Federal Government’s election commitments on business requirements, what they mean for Queensland businesses and how CCIQ can support you to navigate any changes.

Managing the worker’s compensation process to protect your staff and business

Changes to Contractor Rules: What it means for business

This year the High Court has handed two decisions about independent contracting relationships; finding contractual terms are the main determinate of employment relationships. It means businesses have been afforded some clarity when engaging contractors and the peace of mind to rely on the contractual arrangements with contractors without the risk of a claim for entitlements.   

CCIQ heard from Mark Curran, Principal Lawyer at Gilchrist Connell at a recent webinar about how the recent High Court decision changed the way the way independent contractors’ agreements are interpreted.

Practical tips to get businesses started with sustainability

Most businesses have been affected in the last few years by a range of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. It feels like there is a lot of change at the moment – economically, politically and in the environment. 

Sustainable practices have become a priority for many businesses looking to reduce waste production, save on utility expenditure, and leverage a high-quality reputation.

Consumer sentiments are shifting:- A recent study found more than 67 per cent of Australian consumers are influenced by green or sustainability issues when making retail purchases.

CCIQ heard from Andrew Chamberlin, ecoBiz sustainability coach, at a recent CCIQ masterclass at the Brisbane Business Hub on building business resilience with sustainability. Andrew has 25 years of experience in delivering programs and projects in sustainability, planning, renewable energy, water, and urban regeneration. Click to read the highlights from his session.

5 step process to calculate staff remuneration correctly

How to minimise the impact of the Waste Levy Rates’ increase

From 1st July 2022, the existing Queensland levy zones will be divided into two new areas. The metro zone and the regional zone.

The metro zone includes the 12 local government areas in Southeast Queensland, including Noosa and Toowoomba. The Regional zone is made up of the remaining 27 local government areas in the current levy zone.  The levy increase will be applied differently in function of the zone.