The Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee is inquiring into the Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.

The Bill establishes a voluntary relief framework for employers with historical coal long service leave levy liabilities arising from long‑standing uncertainty about scheme coverage, particularly for contractors performing maintenance work on coal mining sites.

It allows eligible employers to enter into payment arrangements, pay historical levy debts over time, avoid penalty interest, and have 20 per cent of the debt remitted once most of the liability is met.

Australian Industry Group supports the Bill as a fair and practical response to coverage uncertainty and insolvency risks facing affected businesses. It follows years of lobbying and advocacy from Australian Industry Group and members.

Technical amendments are proposed to improve the Bill's workability where historical payroll records are incomplete.

Further information on the inquiry may be found here.