Employer Advisory Service for small business employers

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Employer Advisory Service provides small businesses employers free written advice on employment and entitlement matters.

About the Employer Advisory Service

The Employer Advisory Service (EAS) is a service run by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The EAS offers small business employers free tailored written advice about pay and conditions to ensure employers are meeting their obligations under the Fair Work Act.

The EAS helps small business employers understand and comply with workplace relations obligations, including:

• entitlements under the National Employment Standards (NES)
• award and enterprise agreement provisions
• other pay and employee entitlements.

The EAS is designed to offer employers access to information to avoid workplace issues such as underpaying wages and other entitlements.

Where a small business has sought and followed Employer Advisory Service advice in good faith and that advice turns out to be incorrect, the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) will not pursue penalties. But the employer must still rectify any entitlements owed. The employee or a third party may also choose to take their own action.

Who can use the Employer Advisory Service?

The Employer Advisory Service is available to eligible small businesses with fewer than 15 employees.

Accessing the service

Employers seeking to access the EAS can:

• complete the online Employer Advisory Service Enquiry Form
• download and email the Employer Advisory Service Enquiry Form to the FWO
• contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 and ask to be referred to the EAS.

Using the EAS in conjunction with an experienced HR services provider

Together with the Fair Work Infoline, the EAS offers small business employers access to accurate and up to date information on employment matters. But what if you need a little more?

Bare Bones Consulting specialises in providing HR services to employers without an in-house HR professional. Even when have your own HR person on board, it’s reassuring to know you can access an external HR knowledge resource with over 20 years’ experience in HR, workplace training and employee professional development. Think of us as an expertise backup when it comes to your HR and employment challenges. Like to know more? Call us for a chat or email us through our “Contact Us” portal: we’re always happy to hear from you!