Articles

Deciding whether to purchase a business is not an easy decision. It is daunting and there are a number of stages to be fulfilled before achieving completion. One of the first stages is completing due diligence investigations.

Employees are one of the most important and valuable assets of any business. However, when the business is transferred to a new owner, it is common that not all employees are retained or, if retained, not retained on the same terms. If a decision is made to change the number of employees or any terms of employment, it is important that it is dealt with, and documented, correctly.

On 5 September 2017, the Federal Parliament passed amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) which, among other things, have the effect of making franchisors responsible for underpayment of wages to the employees of their franchisees in certain circumstances.

On 17 August 2017, the Fair Work Commission made its determination in respect of the 4 yearly review of the Pharmacy Industry Award 2919. The determination comes into operation from 11 September 2017 and takes effect at the start of the fully pay period that starts on or after 11 September.

A recent decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (“Tribunal”) has provided further insight into particular elements of the requirements of Rule 136 – New pharmacy (large medical centre) of the Pharmacy Location Rules (“Rules”).

The Pharmacy Location Rules are not only about relocations and new pharmacies. There are also requirements for applications to be lodged and approved where there is to be an expansion or contraction of a pharmacy premises.

With the busiest season behind retailers for another year, pharmacy owners are considering changes to their businesses. Those changes may include changes to the pharmacy premises including possibly expanding or contracting the size of the existing pharmacy premises in which case, an application under the Pharmacy Location Rules is required.