[Australia] Millions gain right to disconnect as new workplace laws take effect

In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Australians to “enjoy your downtime this weekend” as landmark right to disconnect laws officially come into effect, The Australia Today reports. 

The new laws give millions of workers the legal right to refuse work calls and emails outside paid working hours.

From 26 August 2025, staff in small businesses will reportedly gain the same protection granted to employees in medium and large businesses last year under Fair Work Act changes.

The reforms mean that workers cannot be penalised for “reasonably” refusing to monitor or respond to calls, texts or emails outside their rostered hours, unless required by law or where refusal would be deemed unreasonable.

In 2024, then Employment Minister Murray Watt stated that the changes were about restoring work-life balance, “Clocking off used to mean something in this country,” he said.

“Workers shouldn’t be required to do unpaid overtime. This is about time with family, friends, or simply time to yourself.”

The laws were introduced in the wake of increasing concern over the ‘digital leash’ of phones and laptops. International precedents had been set in France, and local workplace policies such as those adopted by Victoria Police.

In addition to the right to disconnect, the Albanese Government’s Closing the Loopholes legislation introduces:

• A fairer definition of casual employment and a pathway to permanency

• A clearer test for determining whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor

• Minimum standards for gig economy and road transport workers, set by the Fair Work Commission

With small business employees joining the scheme, these reforms are reportedly expected to cover nearly all national system employees, positively impacting work-life balance for millions of Australian workers.

Source: The Australia Today

(Quote via original reporting)

In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Australians to “enjoy your downtime this weekend” as landmark right to disconnect laws officially come into effect, The Australia Today reports. 

The new laws give millions of workers the legal right to refuse work calls and emails outside paid working hours.

From 26 August 2025, staff in small businesses will reportedly gain the same protection granted to employees in medium and large businesses last year under Fair Work Act changes.

The reforms mean that workers cannot be penalised for “reasonably” refusing to monitor or respond to calls, texts or emails outside their rostered hours, unless required by law or where refusal would be deemed unreasonable.

In 2024, then Employment Minister Murray Watt stated that the changes were about restoring work-life balance, “Clocking off used to mean something in this country,” he said.

“Workers shouldn’t be required to do unpaid overtime. This is about time with family, friends, or simply time to yourself.”

The laws were introduced in the wake of increasing concern over the ‘digital leash’ of phones and laptops. International precedents had been set in France, and local workplace policies such as those adopted by Victoria Police.

In addition to the right to disconnect, the Albanese Government’s Closing the Loopholes legislation introduces:

• A fairer definition of casual employment and a pathway to permanency

• A clearer test for determining whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor

• Minimum standards for gig economy and road transport workers, set by the Fair Work Commission

With small business employees joining the scheme, these reforms are reportedly expected to cover nearly all national system employees, positively impacting work-life balance for millions of Australian workers.

Source: The Australia Today

(Quote via original reporting)