Whistleblowers have the right to disclose a concern without reprisal under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (the RO Act). However, not all disclosures are protected.   In this episode we talk about; matters that are commonly the subject of protected disclosures, what ‘disclosable conduct’ is and isn’t, including specific examples and protections for whistleblowers and the relevant eligibility criteria.

Reporting units are required to meet financial reporting obligations each year under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (the RO Act). After being lodged with us, financial reports are assessed by our Financial Analysis Team.  

The General Manager has recently released the Compliance and Enforcement Policy which covers registered organisations.   In this episode, we talk about the Commission’s approach to regulation, and what enforcement tools and activities may be used where there are potential instances of non-compliance. 

Education is one of our core functions and we are constantly working to improve the material we provide using feedback from registered organisations. In this episode we talk about accessing and using a variety of education resources available on the Fair Work Commission website. 

The General Manager of the Fair Work Commission has been given expanded powers and functions to use compliance and enforcement instruments in the regulation of registered organisations. In this episode of RO pod, we look at these new enforcement tools and how they may affect registered organisations, as well as the types of conduct they apply to.

The Fair Work Commission has made changes to the right of entry permit application process in response to the recommendations of the Registered Organisations Governance and Compliance External Review. You will hear about how the application process has been simplified, and how this will affect organisations and permit holders. 

In this episode of RO pod we talk with the General Manager, Murray Furlong, about the transfer, the internal restructure to produce a unified Registered Organisations Services Branch, and his strategic approach to work with organisations and their peak bodies. The General Manager discusses his plans to encourage compliance and enhance transparency and accountability to members of registered organisations and expediting the reporting and application processes for organisations. 

In this episode of RO pod, we talk about how rule alteration procedures can vary across organisations. We also discuss what you might need to consider when it comes to differing notice requirements, how rule alterations can affect upcoming elections and the legislative requirements.

Officers of Registered Organisations with financial responsibilities must undertake approved financial training, or apply for an exemption from training, within six months of taking office. In our latest podcast episode, we discuss financial training and when and how to apply for an exemption from training.

Registered organisations and branches need to lodge prescribed information with the Fair Work Commission at least two months before your rules say nominations are open. The election is then conducted by the Australian Election Commission (AEC) unless the branch holds an exemption. There has been a disruption to election cycles over the past few years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the AEC being unable to conduct elections for a period of time. In this episode, we discuss what you...

In the latest episode of our podcast series, we talk to the Executive Director of the branch. He discusses the move to the Fair Work Commission, the current review, emerging issues and changes to the regulatory functions.

In the latest episode of our podcast series, we discuss the important information that new officers need to understand and what they must do to discharge their duties as an officer in a registered organisation.

In this month’s episode of the podcast, we’ll be talking about how to take effective minutes of your meetings. Minutes provide evidence for what is discussed and decided on at your meetings. Good minutes can protect an organisation and its officers, particularly if decisions are called into question later and evidence needs to be provided. A reminder to all our listeners that the Registered Organisation Commission (ROC) will be abolished from 6 March 2023 and that all of the ROC’s functions...

The vast majority of organisations we work with want to comply with their legislative obligations and they take steps to do just that. However, mistakes and non-compliance do happen. In this episode we will be talking about the steps that registered organisations should take when they identify non-compliance and how organisations can work with the regulator to resolve these issues.

Many of the compliance requirements of registered organisations have specific timeframes that are prescribed by law. In this month’s episode of ROCpod we’ll identify what those compliance requirements are and share our strategies to help you beat the deadline.

In this month’s podcast the Registered Organisations Commissioner and Executive Director discuss the components of contemporary good governance in registered organisations and the practical implications of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 (the Bill) for registered organisations

A good expenditure policy helps to ensure an organisation’s spending is in line with its objectives and purpose and can protect the organisation and its officers. In this month’s podcast we talk about what an effective expenditure policy looks like and outline practical steps for organisations to take in developing and implementing these policies. 

In this month’s podcast we talk about the practical steps that organisations can take to manage related parties. Keeping records about related parties and publicly reporting information about them is essential to the good financial governance of registered organisations.

In this month’s episode of ROCpod we’ll be answering the question - does the Registered Organisations Commission (ROC) have jurisdiction? The ROC monitors and enforces compliance by registered organisations, their branches, officers and employees. But not all issues that are reported to us are within the ROC’s powers. 

In our July episode of ROCpod we talk about our regulatory response to non-compliance, which can range from engagement and education through to litigation and shine a spotlight on ROC inquiries and investigations.

In our June episode of ROCpod we talk about the rules of registered organisations, and how they can influence compliance outcomes.  

In this month’s podcast we talk about the important role of the committee of management in registered organisations and branches. Committees of management need to invest time into nurturing a positive culture to challenge ideas, foster respectful relationships and ensure that they are best serving the interests of members.

In this month’s podcast we talk about a hot topic in our jurisdiction – conflicts of interest and how to successfully manage them.

In this month’s podcast we are joined by Michael Mundt and Stephen Milgate who are partners at Daley Audit. They share their practical experiences of working with registered organisations and branches to audit the financial report.