Australia: Employee Rights/ Labour Relations

Australian employers face expanded workplace incident reporting obligations under new notification laws that broaden the scope of reportable events to include extended absences, work-related self-harm, violent incidents, and an enhanced definition of serious injuries. Understanding these changes and implementing robust tracking and reporting systems will be critical for compliance once states and territories adopt the amended model Work Health and Safety laws.

The Fair Work Commission has issued an emergency road transport contractual chain order requiring businesses in the road transport industry to adjust rates to account for increased fuel costs arising from Middle East conflicts. This order applies broadly across road transport contractual chains, imposing immediate obligations on primary and secondary parties to ensure fuel cost recovery flows through the supply chain.

Employers should remain consistent and vigilant in ensuring that psychological safety is kept in the workplace.