Australia is one of the best countries to live in. You can find decent employment opportunities, high wages, and many benefits while working in local organizations. Despite the country’s impressive employment culture, the Australian government made a few changes to the country’s employment laws. While some policies have already taken effect, others will be adopted before this year concludes. We have covered the core details below if you want to know about Australia’s employment law changes.
Australia’s Employment Law Changes – What to Expect?
By the end of 2022, the Australian Parliament passed two important bills: the Fair Work Legislation Amendment Bill and the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill. These essential bills proposed changes in a few aspects of the employment culture in Australia.
Key Changes and Their Impacts
Let’s dive into the details to understand better how the new changes affect the country’s employment sectors.
Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave
Based on the passed bills, employers must entitle employees to 10 days of paid time off for family and domestic violence cases. The new legislation protects employee rights in events of domestic violence by directing employers to take necessary steps to ensure implementation. The new policy took effect in February 2023. Moreover, local employees find it a grand gesture on the government’s end to bring domestic violence issues to the spotlight.
Elimination of Workplace Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace is a common problem in global employment sectors. While most countries speak against it, only a few take practical steps to prevent and stop it. Australia’s sexual harassment policy directs employers to prevent sexual harassment and unlawful sex discrimination at work proactively. Employers are advised to collect and monitor employment data to support employees in the mentioned cases. The new policy will take effect from December 2023.
Flexible Work Arrangements
The new employment law changes also require flexible work arrangements for employees facing personal problems. Employees can discuss their challenges with their employers to decide on a flexible working arrangement for specific periods as agreed upon by both parties. While valid, employers must try to find alternative working arrangements for employees. The new policy took effect from the 6th of June this year.
Prohibition of Pay Secrecy
The Australian Parliament also prohibits employers from including pay secrecy clauses in employment contracts. According to the new policy, employees have a right to share or not share their pay information with other employees and ask other employees about the same information. Employers must review their employment contracts and remove any clauses directly or indirectly leading to pay secrecy. This policy took effect in December 2022.
Prohibition of Fixed-Term Contracts
The new employment laws in Australia direct employers not to hire employees on fixed-term contracts for two or more years (including extensions). This policy will take effect from December 2023 and comes with a few conditions for employees and employers to check beforehand.
Final Thoughts
The above details highlight the recent changes in Australia’s employment laws. You can go through the details of each to know the terms and conditions. If you want to be in the loop of global compliance and international employment laws, visit Global People Strategist and schedule a demo to find out how we can support your business with our comprehensive database of employment laws, regulations, and compliance tools.
