Agreements. This led to around 6 months of industrial confusion until the Australian Industrial Relations Commission handed down the landmark decision of the Schefenacker, the Murray Bridge and the La Trobe University certified agreements ('the three certified agreements case'). It was seen by many as fitting that the last significant decision made by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission was to conclusively determine which matter did or did not pertain. Role From 1956 to 2006 the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (under its various names) made awards which set the minimum terms and conditions of employment for workers who worked for certain employers or within certain industries. A standard award would have approximately 20–30 conditions and would be around 40 pages in length. The Awards were reviewed periodically. The AIRC would also certify enterprise bargaining agreements. These agreements were negotiated collective contracts commonly between a union (as representative of the employees on a site) and an employer of the site. The AIRC also registered trade unions and dealt with demarcation disputes between unions. Finally, the AIRC dealt with unfair dismissal applications. WorkChoices and abolition In 2006, under the WorkChoices laws effected at the end of 2005, the role of the AIRC was redefined. Its wage-setting powers were largely transferred to the Australian Fair Pay Commission. The AIRC's primary role instead became that of award "modernisation", with limited dispute-settling powers, and hearing of unfair dismissal applications. Under the Rudd Labor Government the AIRC was abolished. Its functions were transferred in January 2010 to a division within Fair Work Australia (now the Fair Work Commission). References External links Official website 1956 establishments in Australia 2009 disestablishments in Australia Arbitration courts and tribunals Australian labour law Labor relations boards Industrial agreements Industry in Australia Former Commonwealth of Australia courts and tribunals Courts and tribunals established in 1956 Courts and tribunals disestablished in 2009