This May 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 May 2026 member-only report covers:

Key insights on the current workplace relations landscape.
An economic and labour market update.
Key recent legislative developments, including the passing of the fairer fuel legislation, payday superannuation developments and the progression of coal long service leave legislation.
An update on reviews and inquiries being conducted into the adequacy and operation of the National Employment Standards, wage theft and a review of the changes made to the Fair Work Act 2009 by the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Act 2024 and the Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Act 2022.
Major cases in the Fair Work Commission impacting members, including the annual wage review, the TWU-initiated ‘emergency’ fuel cost proceedings that culminated in the Commission issuing temporary road transport contractual chain order on fuel cost recovery, an application for temporary vehicle allowances across more than 40 modern awards, a decision in the ‘junior rates’ proceedings and a final decision and determination varying the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award 2010 in relation to sleepovers.
Other major developments and Fair Work Commission and Federal Court cases decisions and applications relating to matters including flexible working arrangements, unfair deactivation, a drug and alcohol policy and the awarding of penalty orders to a union in wage-related underpayment proceedings.
Trends in enterprise bargaining and recent case developments in relation to regulated labour hire arrangement orders, protected industrial action and multi-employer bargaining.
Recent regulator activity, including the resignation of the administrator of the CFMEU and coordinated compliance activities conducted by the ATO/FWO and the Australian Border Force.
Insights on interacting work health and safety and workplace relations issues and the commencement of mandatory codes of practice in New South Wales.
Government activity relating to potential development of regulation relating to the impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace relations context.
The most recent developments regarding diversity and inclusion, including the appointment of a new CEO at the Workplace Gender Equality Agency and insights drawn from several recent workplace sexual harassment cases, and the imminent commencement of legislation limiting non-disclosure agreements in Victoria.
An update on modern slavery developments, including the issuing of interim supplementary guidance on the management risks of modern slavery and a report making findings on underpayment and slavery risks for temporary migrant workers.