The Australian Government has introduced a series of industrial relations (IR) laws that in large part mark a deliberate and systematic shift away from the enterprise-level bargaining model. This report details how the Government’s IR laws are reshaping Australia’s industrial landscape and radically regressing from the workplace reforms of the Hawke and Keating government era.

The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025 seeks to amend the Fair Work Act 2009 to ensure that pre-existing penalty and overtime rates in modern awards are not reduced. This paper provides an overview of penalty and overtime rates in Australia, presents key issues and provisions, and summarises the position of...

The final report of the independent statutory review of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 and Part 16A of Schedule 1 of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023. It finds that the reforms are, on the whole, achieving the Australian Government’s intent. The report makes 21 recommendations.

This study provides comprehensive insights into current working from home practices under the Clerks Award, highlighting significant trends, barriers, and demographic differences. These findings will inform the development of relevant terms under the Clerks Award.

This paper considers the cost of the Coalition’s position in seeking to undermine modern awards. It details how many workers would be directly affected by the Coalition’s proposed changes to modern award coverage and which occupations have the most to lose from such a policy, including brief case studies for key occupations. It also examines...