The Fair Work Commission includes the Higher Education Awards on a list it proposes to vary due to the COVID-19 crisis

“We encourage the industrial parties in these sectors to enter into discussions about measures to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (if they have not already done so). We will expedite any consent application to vary these awards,” FWC’s president, Justice Ross, and colleagues, state.

The Commission intends to act itself and vary awards to cover variations to existing conditions on leave, to suit the times.

It also, “encourage(s) the industrial parties to continue (or enter into) discussions directed towards consent applications to vary modern awards. The Commission is available to assist in facilitating those discussions on request.’

With sessional staff jobs at risk on campuses across the country the FWC’s suggestion is one that university management groups and unions will surely want to agree on.