4.1 This industry award covers employers through out Australia in the textile industry, clothing industry, bag making industry, button making industry, footwear industry and allied manufacturing and fabricating industries and their employees engaged in duties covered by the classifications in this ward.

4.2 The award covers all outworker entities who are covered by the terms of this award in respect of Schedule F - Outworker and Related Provisions.

4.3 This award covers any employer which supplies labour to a business in the textile industry, clothing industry, bag making industry, button making industry, footwear industry and allied manufacturing and fabricating industries (as defined in clause 3) on an on-hire basis. This clause operates in respect of on-hire employees in classifications covered by this award while engaged in the performance of work for a business in the above industries. This subclause operates subject to the exclusions from coverage in this award.

4.8 This award covers any employer which supplies labour on an on-hire basis in the industries set out by clause 4.1 in respect to on-hire employees in classifications covered by this award, and those on-hire employees, while engaged in the performance of work for a business in those industries. This subclause operates subject to the exclusions from coverage in this award.
3.1 In this award, unless the contrary intention appears:

allied manufacturing and fabricating industries includes but is not limited to:

• processing and treatment of raw cotton;
• spinning, throwing, texturising, creping, extruding, mercerising, impregnating, processing and treatment of fibres, filaments, threads, tyre cords, or yarns of all descriptions including animal or vegetable fibres, artificial silk, cotton, flax, pure silk, filament, synthetic fibres or wool, or any of them combined with one another or with any other animal, natural or synthetic fibre;
• weaving, including hand weaving braids, fabrics, materials and/or webbing tapes of all kinds and descriptions;
• dyeing, bleaching, coating, calendering, cleaning and/or finishing of all types of fabrics, filament yarns, wool tops, yams and articles of all descriptions up to and including the completed product;
• printing including hand printing, screen and/or roller printing and stamping of fabrics and/or articles of all kinds and descriptions;
• mending and/or repairing (including invisible mending) of fabrics and/or articles of all kinds and descriptions;
• manufacturing of artificial silk, filament yarns, manmade fibres and/or synthetic fibres;
• knitting and the manufacture of hosiery, half hose, children's hose, underwear, outerwear, jersey piece goods, fabrics and like goods or materials;
• storing, sorting, scouring, carbonising, mixing, blending and combing of wool and top-making;
• storing, blending, carding or garneting of wool, hair, or other fibres, felting, needling, milling, tendering and/or drying; and
• every operation, process, duty and function or calling carried on or performed in or in connection with or incidental to any of the foregoing.

bag making industry includes:
bag making and repairing, including manufacture of jute, hessian, calico and stockinette bags, water bags, tents, tarpaulins, blinds and covers.

button making industry includes:
haberdashery and manufacture and/or treatment of buckles, buttons and of badges.

clothing industry includes:
wholly or partly designing, preparing, manufacturing, processing, labelling or finishing, or wholly or partly controlling, managing or supervising the designing, preparing, manufacturing, processing or finishing, of any type of garment, apparel or articles (including aprons, napery, nappies, Manchester, linen, handkerchiefs, mosquito nets, artificial flowers, cot covers, blankets, collars, cuffs, neckwear, earmuffs, rugs and mats, hats and headwear, umbrellas or parasols or the like) whether inside or outside of a factory or workroom.

footwear industry includes:
design or cutting of patterns for and/or wholly or partly preparation, manufacturing, making and repairing of footwear, boots, shoes, sandals, surgical and fitted boots and slippers and all component parts, of every description from any material, including cutting or preparing half soles, tip fillers or top pieces including where performed by bespoke boot makers and repairers and heel bar operatives.

on-hire means the on-hire of employees to a client, where such employees work under the general guidance and instruction of the client or a representative of the client.

outworker entity has the same meanings as defined under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

textile industry includes:
artificial silk;
braids;
carpets;
commission dyeing, bleaching and finishing;
cloth, including shade cloth;
cotton;
blinds;
cotton wool;
elastic webbing;
embroidery;
fabrics;
felt, wool and/or fibre;
filament yarns;
flax;
hosiery;
knitting and knitted articles;
kraft paper yarns;
labels;
lace;
manmade fibres;
mercerising;
non-woven fabrics;
narrow fibres;
printing of textiles;
pure silk;
quilting;
ribbons;
personal and household hygiene products;
technical textiles;
medical dressings, materials and supplies;
synthetic fibres and yarns;
tassels;
textile waste and flock;
trimmings;
wadding;
webbing tapes;
woollen and worsted; and
woven materials.
Definitions
Clothing and footwear

Basic Tasks
Uncomplicated tasks which are easily learned and involve little decision making whether machine or non-machine. Basic machine tasks are those where the positioning of the work may be controlled by guide-bars and sensor lights or other such guiding devices or where there is uncomplicated feeding of the fabric or material.

Intermediate Tasks
Tasks which are more difficult to learn, involve more decision making than skill Level 1 tasks and which require fabric knowledge (or in the footwear industry, material or component knowledge), whether machine or non-machine. Intermediate machine tasks require skill in positioning, feeding and handling of work involving directional changes, contouring or critical stoppage points, or require feeding and handling skills beyond those of a Skill Level 1 operator because of fabric or material variation. Intermediate non machine tasks require skills to perform a sequence of related tasks.

Complex Tasks
Tasks which are more difficult to learn and involve a higher level of decision making than Skill Level 2 tasks whether machine or non machine. Complex machine tasks require fabric or material manipulation skills and knowledge beyond those of a Skill Level 2 operator to perform more difficult tasks or to handle and align the sections while ensuring correct shaping of the end result because of the complexity of combining parts or because of frequent variations in fabrics or materials.

Series of different operations on a machine
Performing a sequence of different operations on a machine/s to complete the majority of a complex garment (or in the footwear industry, a complex component assembly or complex upper).

Machine
Any piece of equipment which performs a significant part of an operation in:
• designing/grading of patterns;
• marker spreading;
• spreading of fabric; and
• cutting, sewing, finishing, pressing and packaging of products (and in the footwear industry, last making and/or component manufacture) and which is powered by an external source i.e. electricity, steam or compressed air or combinations of these. Hand tools are not machines and refer to those items which are primarily powered by the operator e.g. scissors, shears, staplers, tagging guns and tape dispensers.

Variety of machine types
Three or more different types of machines which are sufficiently different in their operation to require the exercise of different skills (i.e. a button holer and a button sewer are the same machine type for this purpose whereas a button holer and an overlocker are different machine types).

Whole garment machinist or equivalent skills
A machinist who works largely independently in producing a complex garment from written specifications and patterns. Examples of “equivalent skills” include:
• sample machinist;
• a machinist who is required to perform each of the operations required to complete a complex whole upper or a complex component to specifications; and
• a fully multi-skilled machinist who is required to perform any of the operations involved in the making of a complex whole garment to specification.

Whole Upper machinist or equivalent skills (footwear)
A machinist who works largely independently in producing a complex upper from written specifications and patterns. Examples of "equivalent skills" include:
• sample machinist;
• a fully multi-skilled operator who is required to perform any of the operations involved in the making of a complex whole upper or a complex component to specifications; and
• an operator who performs each of the operations required to complete a complex assembly or a complex whole upper from specifications.

Component parts
The parts of the product which the operator receives in order to perform their job.

Key pad skills
Ability to use a small panel of keys, either numerical or with symbols, to operate equipment.

Basic computer skills
Use of computer to enter, retrieve and interpret data.

Co-ordinating role
A role which involves responsibility for organising and bringing together the work and resource requirements of a work group or team.

Defined procedures/methods
Specific instructions outlining how an operator is to do their job.

Largely independently
Where the employee is accountable for own results including:
• carrying out assigned task;
• co-ordinating processes; and
• setting and working to deadlines.

Designated responsibility
Identified by management as a person with a specific role or responsibility

Minor equipment/machine maintenance
Includes cleaning and minor adjustments to the equipment involved. In the case of sewing machines for example, it may include:
• changing needles;
• cleaning;
• lubrication; and/or
• tension and stitch adjustment.

On-the-job instruction
Demonstrating, showing, explaining and/or guiding other employees as to how to perform a particular task or operation to a competent standard.

Quality assurance
The overall system and plans used to provide confidence that goods and services will satisfy given requirements.

Quality control
The activities used to check that materials and products meet quality specifications, includes the grading or product into acceptable and unacceptable categories.

Quality deviations
Departs from a quality standard.

Quality indicators
Information used to determine whether a quality standard has been met.

Specified quality standards
Detailed standards against which quality is measured.

Team environment
An environment involving work arrangements in which a group of people work closely, flexibly and in co-operation with each other to ensure efficient and effective performance.

Shoe
A shoe is to include all forms of foot covering that is generally made in the footwear industry and will encompass shoes, boots, and complex sandals.
Textile employees
On-the-job instruction
Demonstrating, showing, explaining and/or guiding other employees as to how to perform a particular task or operation to a competent standard.

Quality control
The activities used to check that materials and products meet quality specifications, includes the grading or product into acceptable and unacceptable categories.

Minor equipment/machine maintenance
Includes cleaning and minor adjustments to the equipment involved. In the case of sewing machines for example, it may include:
• changing needles;
• cleaning;
• lubrication; and/or
• tension and stitch adjustment.

Defined procedures/methods
Specific instructions outlining how an operator is to do their job.

Team environment
An environment involving work arrangements in which a group of people work closely, flexibly and in co-operation with each other to ensure efficient and effective performance.

Basic tasks
Non make up section
Uncomplicated tasks which are easily learned and involve little decision making whether machine or non-machine.
Performs a range of simple manual tasks:
• inspects and/or examines and/or uncomplicated grading/pairing raw materials/yarns/fabrics etc. For faults (non-machine operations); and/or
• carries out simple tests on yarns/fabrics etc. outside a laboratory environment; and/or
• transfers, removes or supplies fabric, yarn, tickets, bobbins, etc. to other employees or from one section to another; and/or
• performs basic machine tasks (see definition below).

Make up section
• uncomplicated tasks which are easily learned and involve little decision making whether machine or non-machine; and/or
• basic machine tasks are those where the positioning of the work may be controlled by guide-bars and sensor lights, or other such guiding devices, or where there is uncomplicated feeding of the fabric.

Basic machine tasks
In the make up section basic machine tasks are those where the positioning of the work may be controlled by guide-bars and sensor lights, or other such guiding devices, or where there is uncomplicated feeding of the fabric or uncomplicated machine related tasks.
In the non make up section, basic machine tasks involve those of sock turner.
Provided, however, for the purposes of this subpart, an employer will approach the relevant authorised officer of the relevant union where it is thought that the operation of any machine (other than a sock turner) only requires the performance of basic machine tasks (i.e. uncomplicated machine related tasks).
If the relevant authorised officer of the relevant union and the employer agree that the operation of the machine requires the use of basic machine tasks, they will record this agreement in writing.

Specified quality standards
Detailed standards against which quality is measured.

Quality indicators
Information used to determine whether a quality standard has been met.

Key pad skills
Ability to use a small panel of keys, either numerical or with symbols, to operate equipment.

Additional skills
Skills that can be developed by an employee through training to assist that worker to become qualified for a higher skill level.

Intermediate Tasks
Non make up
Tasks which are more difficult to learn, involve more decision making than Skill Level 1 tasks and which require more fabric/product knowledge , whether machine or non-machine.
• the efficient operation of a machine or machines involving the application of more than basic skills in the setting up, running, monitoring and making adjustments to the machine or machines; or
• the inspection or examination and grading/pairing of raw materials/yarns/fabrics etc. for faults, and where necessary, mends by hand or machine; or
• carries out tests which may involve colour matching and interaction of chemicals and/or dyes on yarns or fabrics etc. in a laboratory environment; or
• is responsible for monitoring and co-ordination of fabric, yarn, tickets, bobbins etc. to other workers, or from one section to another; or
• weighs and measures raw materials/yarns/fabrics or chemicals and/or dyes;
• intermediate non-machine tasks require skills to perform a sequence of related tasks.

Make up section
• tasks which are more difficult to learn, involve more decision making than Skill Level 1 tasks and which may require fabric knowledge whether machine or non-machine, or
• intermediate machine tasks require skill in positioning, feeding and handling of work involving directional changes, contouring or critical stopping points, or require feeding and handling skills beyond those of a Skill Level 1 worker because of fabric variation; or
• intermediate non-machine tasks to perform a sequence of related tasks.

Component parts
The parts of the product which the operator receives in order to perform their job.

Machine
Any piece of equipment which is powered by an external source, i.e. Electricity, steam or compressed air, or a combination of these.
Hand tools are not machines and refer to those items which are primarily powered by the employee, e.g.: scissors, shears, staplers, tagging guns and tape dispensers.

Basic computer skills
Use of computer to enter, retrieve and interpret data.

Complex tasks
Non make up
Tasks which are more difficult to learn and involve a higher level of decision making than Skill Level 2 tasks, whether machine or non-machine.
•the application of more than intermediate skills in the setting up, running, monitoring and making adjustments/performs maintenance as required, but not to a standard equivalent of a Skills Level 4 employee; or
• inspects, examines and grades raw materials/yarns/fabrics etc. and mends by hand or machine consistent with specified quality standards; or
• carries out tests which involve colour matching of yarns/fabrics etc. in a laboratory. Assessment of the results of tests performed. Make decisions in the selection of dyes/chemicals; or
• capable of understanding recipes, makes decisions and is responsible in the performance of duties including weighing, measurement and selection of chemicals or dyes to specification.

Make up section
• tasks which are more difficult to learn and involve a higher level of decision making than Skill Level 2 tasks, whether machine or non-machine.
• complex machine tasks require fabric manipulation skills and knowledge beyond those of a Skill Level 2 worker to perform more difficult tasks or to handle and align the sections while correct shaping of the end result because of the complexity of combining parts or because of frequent variations in fabrics.

Series of different operations on a machine(s) - Make up section
Performing a sequence of different operations on a machine/s to complete the majority of a complex garment.

Variety of machine types - Make up section
Three or more different types of machines which are sufficiently different in their operation to require the exercise of different skills (i.e. a button holer and a button sewer are the same machine type for this purpose whereas a button holer and an over locker are different machine types).

Quality assurance
The overall system and plans used to provide confidence that goods and services will satisfy given requirements.

Quality deviation
Departs from a quality standard.

Coordinating role
A role which involves responsibility for organising and bringing together the work and resource requirements of a work group or team.

Largely independently
Where the employee is accountable for own results including:
• carrying out assigned task
• co-ordinating processes

Whole Garment Machinist or equivalent skills - Make up section designated responsibility
Identified by management as a person with a specific role or responsibility.

Wool and basil employees
Wool and basil employees are employees who are required to work on pulling sheep skins, pie or piece picking, or any other class of work connected with wool scouring and carbonising.

Assistant foreman/woman and/or overlooker means an employee appointed as such by the management.

Designer - Creative means an employee engaged as such and who in the course of their employment is required to create original designs and master sketches and may supervise and correct the work of other designers and technical drawers.

Designer - Other means an employee engaged as such and who is required to produce master sketches from designs supplied by the employer and in doing so may be required to adapt or correct such designs, or is required to produce original drawings (not master sketches) or adaptations.

Fancy Warper Woollen and Worsted Division means an employee who in the construction of warps containing different counts, shades, qualities or twists of yarn, uses two or more colours or where yarn is of a similar count, shade, quality or twist, three or more colours.

Machine Operator and/or Attendant means an employee who in the course of their duty, is called upon to operate a machine and does not include an employee whose sole duty is carrying material to and from a machine.
Recorder means an employee whose main duties are entering of production figures on tickets and/or sheets, weighing and/or classifying the materials and/or making simple book entries.

Sewing Machine Mechanic means an employee:
• who has served an apprenticeship as such or who, in the view of the employer and the union, has undergone equivalent training and/or experience: and
• who is engaged to assemble, adjust, test and lubricate, to dismantle machines and trace faults, to repair and replace mechanisms and to be able to make and install s multiplicity of attachments and to use all tools commonly used in the industry, for the correct and efficient operation of all sewing machines.

Textile Mechanic means an employee:
• who has served an apprenticeship as such or who, in the view of the employer and the union, has undergone equivalent training and/or experience;
• who possesses a knowledge of yarns, fabrics, cloth structure and designs and the ancillary processes connected with the different types of machinery; and
• who is engaged in maintenance, mechanical adjustments, assembling, dismantling, replacement of parts (other than those parts replaced by machine operators in the course of their normal duties), and to be able to make and install attachments, and to use all tools commonly used in the industry, and setting of different types of machines for their correct and efficient operation, and all things incidental thereto.

Technical Drawer means an employee engaged as such who in the performance of their duties prepares stencils or films for screen printing by tracing or working from master sketches or similar art work or designs.

Textile Mechanic Special Class and Textile Mechanic (Sewing Machine) Special Class means a textile mechanic (as defined) who is principally engaged in servicing and maintaining complex equipment requiring the application of additional knowledge.
In this definition complex equipment means textile equipment with control systems derived from advanced electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic or robotic technology. Additional knowledge means knowledge in excess of that of the textile mechanic which has been acquired by the textile mechanic by virtue of:
• having had not less than two years' on the job experience as a textile mechanic working mainly on such complex machinery as will enable the textile mechanic to perform such work unsupervised, where necessary and practicable; and
• having either the satisfactory completion of a post trade course relevant to that equipment or the achievement of a comparable standard of knowledge by other means, including on the job training and the experience referred to in part (a) hereof, gained sufficient comprehension of such complex equipment as will enable the textile mechanic to perform such work.