Updates
Fair Work Ombudsman: New workplace laws to close loopholes
There have been changes to the Fair Work Act as part of the Australian Government’s new “Closing Loopholes” laws.
Most of the changes started on 15 December 2023, while others start between now and 2025.
Changes that have started include new:
- rules for labour hire workers
- discrimination protections for employees experiencing family and domestic violence
- small business redundancy rules
- workplace delegates’ rights
- right of entry rules
- rules for compulsory conciliation conferences in protected action ballot matters.
Also under the new laws, the intentional underpayment of wages will be criminalised. These changes won’t start before 1 January 2025.
For a detailed summary visit Closing Loopholes: Fair Work Act changes.
Other upcoming changes
Later in December and in early January, some other workplace changes will start:
- from 30 December 2023, new rules apply for employee authorised deductions
- from 1 January 2024, superannuation is an entitlement under the National Employment Standards.
For more information, access a summary at Fair Work Act changes: Protecting Worker Entitlements.