Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 (Qld)

An Act to amend the Industrial Relations Act 2016, the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017, the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 and the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2014 for particular purposes The Parliament of Queensland enacts—

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024.

2 Commencement The following provisions commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation— (a) sections 24 and 26; (b) section 29, to the extent it inserts section 46B; (c) section 34; (d) sections 59 and 64.

Part 2 Amendment of Industrial Relations Act 2016

3 Act amended This part amends the Industrial Relations Act 2016.

4 Amendment of s 21 (Meaning of Queensland Employment Standards ) (1) Section 21(2)— insert— (la) superannuation contributions—division 13A; (2) Section 21(2)(la) and (m)— renumber as section 21(2)(m) and (n).

5 Amendment of ch 2 , pt 3 , div 8 , hdg (Parental leave) Chapter 2, part 3, division 8, heading, after 'Parental'— insert— and related

6 Amendment of s 78 (Cancelling parental leave) (1) Section 78(4), after paragraph (a)— insert— (aa) late term pregnancy leave under section 85AA; or (2) Section 78(4)(aa) to (c)— renumber as section 78(4)(b) to (d).

7 Insertion of new s 85AA After section 85— insert—

85AA Late term pregnancy leave (1) A pregnant employee is entitled to unpaid leave (late term pregnancy leave) for a period immediately before the employee starts birth-related leave. (2) Late term pregnancy leave cannot start earlier than 6 weeks before the expected date of birth. (3) The employee must, before starting the leave, give the employer at least 4 weeks written notice of intention to take the leave. (4) The employee may withdraw the notice of intention to take late term pregnancy leave by written notice to the employer before the leave starts. (5) Subject to subsection (6), late term pregnancy leave must be taken as a single continuous period continuing until the employee starts birth-related leave. (6) Late term pregnancy leave may be interrupted by special pregnancy-related leave or sick leave under section 85. (7) If, while an employee is taking late term pregnancy leave, the pregnancy ends other than by the birth of a living child, the employee is entitled to resume work at a time nominated by the employer within 2 weeks after the day on which the employee gives the employer a written notice stating— (a) that the employee intends to resume work; and (b) the reason for the resumption.