What HR needs to know about the inquiry
The National Employment Standards (NES) are about to come under the microscope, with a new federal inquiry set to examine whether Australia’s core minimum workplace entitlements are still fit for purpose in a changing labour market.
For HR leaders and employers, this review is both a potential risk and an opportunity: risk, because any changes could require significant updates to policies, contracts and practices; opportunity, because it gives organisations a voice in shaping the next phase of Australia’s workplace relations framework.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training has launched an inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the NES under the Fair Work Act.
This inquiry stems from a commitment made at the 2022 Jobs and Skills Summit and will examine whether the NES still meet the needs of workers, employers, and the economy.
The Committee is seeking written submissions to help guide its findings and recommendations. These submissions will be a key influence on how the NES are reformed.
Chair of the committee, Carina Garland, said the need for a “coordinated review” is crucial for determining whether the standards “remain fit for purpose”.
“The inquiry will not focus on flexible working arrangements, casual employment, parental leave, or family and domestic violence leave, as these matters have either been recently reviewed or are scheduled for separate reviews,”...
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