Oceania: Employment and HR

A recent Fair Work Commission decision provides important guidance about when individuals can pursue multiple legal claims arising from alleged workplace sexual harassment and discrimination.

Recent Australian Public Service census data reveals a growing trend in flexible work arrangements, supported by new enterprise agreement provisions. Two landmark Fair Work Commission decisions in Naden and Westpac now provide critical guidance on how employers must handle flexible work requests, highlighting the mandatory requirements and potential consequences of non-compliance that could result in orders granting employee requests even when business grounds exist for refusal.

The Albanese Government has moved to address the Fair Work Commission's mounting caseload, particularly in unfair dismissal and general protections dismissal matters.

Victoria's proposed Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026 seeks to establish a statutory right for eligible employees to work from home two days per week, with employers required to cover reasonable costs and equipment. The legislation outlines specific exemptions, reasonableness factors for employer refusals, and a dispute resolution process through the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

The Australian Government released the 2026 Public Sector Workplace Relations Policy on 3 June 2026, setting parameters for enterprise bargaining across the Commonwealth public sector including APS and Non-APS agencies.

The Australian Public Service Commission has released comprehensive guidance on artificial intelligence use in APS recruitment, establishing clear principles for both agencies and candidates.

The Fair Work Commission's recent decision in David Sanderson v Brightest Australia Pty Ltd examines when Australian employment law applies to overseas workers...

The Albanese Government has moved to address the Fair Work Commission's mounting caseload, particularly in unfair dismissal and general protections dismissal matters.

On June 3, 2026, the Australian Government introduced into Federal Parliament the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026 (Bill).

Victoria's proposed Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026 seeks to establish a statutory right for eligible employees to work from home two days per week, with employers required to cover reasonable costs and equipment. The legislation outlines specific exemptions, reasonableness factors for employer refusals, and a dispute resolution process through the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

Cooper Grace Ward's workers compensation podcast examines the landmark High Court case of CCIG Investments Pty Ltd v Schokman, exploring critical questions about vicarious liability and scope of employment arising from an unusual workplace incident on Daydream Island. Legal experts who appeared before the High Court discuss the case's implications for workers compensation law across Queensland and Australia.

In a significant decision for employers and bargaining parties, the Full Court has reaffirmed that the text of a modern award prevails over historical practice, with important implications for how public holidays and shift arrangements are applied.