A bath house provides heated bathing pools for relaxation. Other facilities or services such as massages, food and accommodation may also be provided.

Award coverage for an employee working at a bath house depends on:

• the industry or industries their employer operates in
• the specific duties and qualifications of the employee.

An employer operating a bath house can be covered by more than one award.

Industry award coverage

An industry award covers an employee working at a bath house if:

• their employer operates in the industry defined in the award
• there’s a classification which matches the employee’s duties and qualifications.

For example, an employee working at a bath house may be covered by one of the following industry awards.

Retail Award

The Retail Award can cover employees working in the bath house performing duties such as reception, customer service, and general cleaning.

Day spa employees employed by the same employer operating the bath house are also covered by the Retail Award.

However, a massage therapist employed to provide remedial massage will be covered by the Health Services Award on an occupational basis. For more information on massage therapists, see Award coverage for massage therapists.

Restaurant Award

The Restaurant Award covers employees working in the café or restaurant within the bath house.

Hospitality Award

The Hospitality Award covers employees providing accommodation services.

Hair and Beauty Award

Another employer operating a day spa within a bath house is covered by the Hair and Beauty Award. Employees working in the day spa providing facials, massages or specialised beauty treatments will also be covered.

However, a massage therapist employed to provide remedial massage will be covered by the Health Services Award on an occupational basis. For more information on massage therapists, see Award coverage for massage therapists.

No industry award coverage

Employees not covered by an industry award are:

• covered by an occupational award, such as the Health Services Award
• covered by the Miscellaneous Award, or
• award free.

Miscellaneous Award

The Miscellaneous Award can cover an employee working in a bath house if they're not a managerial or professional employee.

An employee may be considered a professional employee if their role requires a degree qualification.

They’ll be classified based on their duties and qualifications.

Award free employees

An employee working at a bath house who is not covered by an industry or occupational award, or the Miscellaneous Award is award free.

They’re entitled to the national minimum wage and the National Employment Standards.

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