ACE Insurance Limited v Trifunovski [2013] FCAFC 3

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

ACE Insurance Limited v Trifunovski [2013] FCAFC 3 Citation: ACE Insurance Limited v Trifunovski [2013] FCAFC 3

Appeal from: ACE Insurance Limited v Trifunovski [2011] FCA 1204; (2011) 200 FCR 532 ACE Insurance Limited v Trifunovski (No 2) [2012] FCA 793; (2012) 215 IR 206 Trifunovski v ACE Insurance Limited [2012] FCA 858

Parties: ACE INSURANCE LIMITED v BLAGOJA TRIFUNOVSKI ACE INSURANCE LIMITED v FETIE DICINOSKI ACE INSURANCE LIMITED v HERACLEA PTY LTD ACE INSURANCE LIMITED v WILLIAM DICINOSKI ACE INSURANCE LIMITED v SHANE PEREZ ACE INSURANCE LIMITED v RIENZIE PERIES

File numbers: NSD 1295 of 2012 NSD 1296 of 2012 NSD 1297 of 2012 NSD 1298 of 2012 NSD 1299 of 2012 NSD 1300 of 2012

Judges: LANDER, BUCHANAN AND ROBERTSON JJ

Date of judgment: 25 January 2013

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – entitlement to annual leave and long service leave – whether insurance agents employees or independent contractors – test to be applied – where agents regarded themselves as independent contractors – where personal service required – where contract allowed for nominal power of incorporation

Legislation: Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) s 179 Insurance Industry Award 1998 (Cth) cll 22, 25

Cases cited: Australian Mutual Provident Society v Chaplin (1978) 52 ALJR 407; 18 ALR 385 referred to Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited v The Producers and Citizens Co-operative Assurance Company of Australia Limited (1931) 46 CLR 41 followed Commissioner of Pay-roll Tax v Mary Kay Cosmetics Pty Ltd [1982] VR 871 referred to The Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia v Barrett (1973) 129 CLR 395 referred to Connelly v Wells (1994) 55 IR 73 referred to Denham v Midland Employers Mutual Association Ltd [1955] 2 QB 437 referred to Fair Work Ombudsman v Ramsey Food Processing Pty Ltd (2011) 198 FCR 174 referred to Hollis v Vabu Pty Limited (2001) 207 CLR 21 followed Humberstone v Northern Timber Mills (1949) 79 CLR 389 followed Marshall v Whittaker's Building Supply Company (1963) 109 CLR 210 followed Mersey Docks and Harbour Board v Coggins and Griffith (Liverpool) Limited [1947] AC 1 referred to Narich Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Pay-Roll Tax [1983] 2 NSWLR 597 referred to Nokes v Doncaster Amalgamated Collieries Limited [1940] AC 1014 referred to Performing Right Society Limited v Mitchell and Booker (Palais de Danse) Limited [1924] 1 KB 762 referred to Quarman v Burnett (1840) 6 M&W 499 [151 ER 509] referred to R v Foster; Ex parte The Commonwealth Life (Amalgamated) Assurances Limited (1952) 85 CLR 138 followed Roy Morgan Research Centre Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue (Vic) (1997) 37 ATR 528 referred to Roy Morgan Research Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (2010) 184 FCR 448 followed Stevens v Brodribb Sawmilling Company Pty Limited (1986) 160 CLR 16 followed Sweeney v Boylan Nominees Pty Limited (2006) 226 CLR 161 followed Zuijs v Wirth Bros Pty Ltd (1955) 93 CLR 561 followed