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In a landscape of incredible transformation and amidst the most significant changes to the Fair Work Act since its establishment, with further developments on the horizon it is crucial for employers to navigate these changes effectively and stay ahead of the curve.

We are dedicated to empowering organisations with the knowledge necessary to proactively address the challenges and opportunities brought by these reforms in Australia.

Explore our thoughtfully selected resources to gain insights to assist navigation of this dynamic regulatory environment and provide a deeper understanding of their possible implications.  We are committed to keeping you informed with the latest knowledge and supporting your organisation's success in these transformative times.

Featured insights

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Australian industrial relations reform: Key takeaways for business from the Senate Inquiry into the Closing Loopholes No. 2 Bill

On 1 February 2023, the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee released its report in relation to the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023.

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Australian Employees Given New Right to Disconnect

The Closing Loopholes Bill No. 2, which includes the new Greens-proposed laws giving employees a “right to disconnect”, passed parliament on 12 February 2024 and is currently awaiting royal assent. This new right will commence six months after royal assent. 

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Top 5 Australian employment, industrial relations and safety issues for 2024

Our experts were asked what they thought would be the key issues confronting our clients in 2024, we’ve ranked the top five of these based on our team’s combined expectations.

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Podcasts

 

Inside IR EP17: ‘Closing Loopholes’ reform – passing of Bill #2

Our latest episode of Inside IR looks at the second tranche of ‘Closing Loopholes’ reforms, which passed both Houses in mid-February 2024 and included some surprise last-minute additions. Rohan Doyle is joined by HSF partners Anna Creegan and Shivchand Jhinku, who dissect some of the key elements of these important reforms, including the new definition of employment, changes to sham contracting prohibitions, new minimum conditions for non-employee road transport and digital labour platform workers, changes to casual employment, and the all-important new ‘right to disconnect’.

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Inside IR EP16: Splitting Closing Loopholes Bill, 2024 Predictions

In our last ‘festive season’ episode of Inside IR for 2023, Rohan Doyle is joined by partners Anthony Wood and Natalie Gaspar to recap the key developments in the industrial relations sphere for 2023 and look ahead to what is in store for 2024.

Natalie steps through the latest (and quite urgent) developments with the Closing Loopholes Bill, and Tony gazes into his crystal ball, and shares the results of our national survey on the top 5 IR predictions for 2024.

Listen

Inside IR: The Australian Industrial Relations Podcast

Inside IR is a podcast series that delves into the industrial relations landscape in Australia.


Videos

 

Employment & IR Briefing Series: "Closing Loopholes" reforms, including the contentious right to disconnect amendments

In our first Employment & IR Briefing Series for 2024, the team discuss the second tranche of "Closing Loopholes" reforms, including the contentious right to disconnect amendments.

In this session, our expert panel dive into how the current Australian IR and workplace reforms are beginning to play out across the country – in particular regulated labour hire arrangement (same job same pay) orders, intractable bargaining, and engaging contingent workers and employees on fixed term contracts.

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Employment & IR Briefing Series: Closing Loopholes Bill: What it means for your business

Recently the Australian Federal Government tabled the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 (Cth) in the House of Representatives. The Bill proposes reforms that will have a substantial impact on employers, employees, principals, and contractors, and in many respects proposes even more significant changes than the Secure Jobs, Better Pay amending legislation from last year.

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Australian Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety Webinars

In these short sessions, our national team share their insights on what key legislative changes mean for employers.




Related content

Employment Notes

Find out the latest developments on our blog.

Employment, Industrial Relations & Safety Training Program

Key contacts

Natalie Gaspar photo

Natalie Gaspar

Partner, Melbourne

Natalie Gaspar
Drew Pearson photo

Drew Pearson

Managing Partner, Sydney

Drew Pearson
Anna Creegan photo

Anna Creegan

Partner, Perth

Anna Creegan
Wendy Fauvel photo

Wendy Fauvel

Partner, Brisbane

Wendy Fauvel
Anthony Wood photo

Anthony Wood

Partner, Melbourne

Anthony Wood
Russell Allen photo

Russell Allen

Consultant, Perth

Russell Allen
Rachel Dawson photo

Rachel Dawson

Partner, Perth

Rachel Dawson
Rohan Doyle photo

Rohan Doyle

Partner, Melbourne

Rohan Doyle