South Australia has become the first Australian state to signal its intention to join the new industrial relations system from January 1, 2010.  

Industrial Relations minister, Paul Caica (pictured to the right) says South Australia has reached in-principle agreement with the federal government to participate in the new system for the private sector, and is now negotiating final details with Julia Gillard, deputy prime minister and minister for employment relations.

The decision follows extensive consultation with employers, unions and other organisations, all of which support the move.

"A key benefit of the national system is that for the first time, South Australian private sector employers and workers will have the one set of industrial relations laws to deal with. For workers, access to modern awards mean simpler, nationally consistent wages, loading and penalty payments that will be revised on a regular basis," Caica said.

Caica also believes that the new system will result in better and clearer protections for workers who participate in workplace negotiations, who access their rights under Awards and Enterprise Agreements, or who become members or delegates of the relevant union.

The means of administering the new system are still to be finalised, but it's anticipated that South Australia's existing education, compliance and enforcement agencies - SafeWork SA and the SA Industrial Relations Commission and Court - will play a significant role within the new unified system.