There is no set way to master your knowledge of an award, but one way is to see it in four parts:

A – coverage: these are all the clauses that build the picture that decides to whom the award applies and to whom it does not. In addition to the obviously titled clause headed “coverage”, the “definitions” clause, the “classifications” clause and “Schedules B and C” (the classification descriptors) are relevant in determining the RTD Award coverage.

B – wages and conditions: these are the nuts and bolts of the modern award – types of employment,  hiring and firing,  pay rates, , allowances, hours of work, RDO’s, loadings, penalty rates, overtime, leave, redundancy pay

C – transitional provisions: phasing in and phasing out the differences in moving from an old award to the modern award

D – process clauses: award flexibility, consultation, dispute resolution