Awards are legal documents that outline the minimum pay and conditions of employment. There are more than 100 industry awards that cover most people who work in Australia. The award that covers you and your employer will depend on the industry you are working in. Awards are there to protect your wages and working conditions. Sometimes businesses or organisations have enterprise agreements (or registered agreements) in place which specify minimum pay and conditions. In this case, the award does not apply. Enterprise agreements cannot set minimum pay rates any lower than the industry award, and the National Employment Standards still apply. Enterprise agreements are negotiated between employers, employees and bargaining representatives (such as unions).