This August 2026 edition of the Significant Workplace Relations Issues Report provides Australian Industry Group members with an update on a range of major developments relevant to members.
A brief podcast, in which Australian Industry Group Head of National Workplace Relations Policy, Brent Ferguson, discusses some of the key issues in the report, is available here.
The August 2026 member-only report covers matters including:
- Key insights on the current workplace relations landscape.
- Key recent legislative and workplace relations policy developments - including the announcement of a proposed Fair Work Court, amendments to the Fair Work Act, the commencement of coal long service leave legislation, proposals put forward at the ALP’s 50th National Conference and, in Victoria, the commencement of legislation limiting the use of non-disclosure agreements and the progression of the working from home bill.
- An update on major reviews and inquiries – including a review into the adequacy and operation of the National Employment Standards, the Government's response to the review of the ‘Secure Jobs, Better Pay’ amendments to the Fair Work Act, the review of the Closing Loopholes amendments and a report from the parliamentary inquiry into wage theft.
- Major cases in the Fair Work Commission impacting members, including the annual wage review, gender undervaluation proceedings for priority awards and degree-qualified professionals, gig worker and road transport contractor orders, developments concerning special measures to address fuel costs, two community of interest determination proceedings arising under the Net Zero jurisdiction and the next phase of the ‘junior rates proceedings’ dealing with transitional arrangements.
- Other recent cases concerning flexible working arrangements, employment status and underpayments.
- Trends in enterprise bargaining and related case developments.
- Economic and labour market conditions.
- Recent regulator activity, including the amendment of the Fair Work Commission Rules 2024 and a new annual referral process under which the Fair Work Ombudsman may identify and refer substantive ambiguities, uncertainties or errors in modern awards for independent consideration by the Fair Work Commission.
- Interacting work health and safety and workplace relations issues – insights and trends.
- Government activity relating to artificial intelligence and workplace surveillance, as well as insights on the growing impacts of AI in litigation and tribunal proceedings.
- Recent developments relating to inclusion at work, including the commencement of the requirement to set three Workplace Gender Equality Targets, legislative and policy developments, and insights from recent court decisions.
- An update on modern slavery developments, including the announcement by the Government that they would introduce due diligence requirements and enforcement measures, alongside a criminal offence.
