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.

Research into the prevalence of young worker exploitation within the Australian labour force and the ways in which this exploitation may be combatted through the use of digital tools and data science. The report affirms the alarming rate at which young workers are underpaid and makes recommendations to combat young worker exploitation through the use...

The review was conducted into the 'small business employer' definition in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) to determine if it remains fit for purpose and if not, to provide recommendations on how it could be improved. The review outlines key issues and stakeholder perspectives regarding the definition. Views diverged on whether the current definition...

Workplace surveillance has accelerated in recent years in Victoria. Over this time, privacy and surveillance laws have not kept pace. This report outlines the extent to which surveillance data is being utilised in Victorian workplaces. It recommends Victoria introduce new workplace surveillance laws that are technology neutral and ensure surveillance is reasonable, necessary and proportionate.