Coverage: who the rules apply to & when
- National system: Most employers/employees are covered by the Fair Work system. Some remain in state systems with different arrangements.
- Industry carve‑out (6 Dec 2023 → 1 Nov 2025): Medical or health research; public hospitals; higher education; charities and not‑for‑profit; organised sport; high performance sport (subject to specific circumstances).
- After 1 Nov 2025: The new fixed term rules apply to all industries (still subject to specific exceptions below).
- What is a fixed term contract? An employment contract that ends when an identifiable period elapses (e.g., a set task, time period or season).