New union-won rights at work: what you need to know
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Across all industries and workplaces, over two-million workers in unions across Australia continue to negotiate higher pay to ensure all members get a fair wage for a fair day’s work. Join your union today and make it happen.
In the last two years, the union movement has won the biggest changes to workers’ rights in Australia in generations. These changes deliver new and improved rights that empower millions of workers.
The scale and significance of these wins show what union members can achieve when we campaign and have a Labor government in power, ready and willing to support working people.
Most of these rights are already in effect, and union members are using them to win fairer and safer workplaces. Now is the time to learn what they are, why they are so important and how to make the most of them.
What did these changes do?
Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave
This change introduced 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave for all workers.
Secure Jobs, Better Pay
This change focused on improving job security, gender equality and workers’ right to request to work flexibly. It also simplified and strengthened how union members can use their collective voice to bargain for and win better pay and conditions.
Protecting Worker Entitlements
This change brought in greater flexibility for workers taking unpaid parental leave and the entitlement to superannuation in the National Employment Standards. It also strengthened protections for migrant workers.
Closing Loopholes (No.1)
This change delivered better protections for workplace delegates, labour-hire workers and independent contractors. It also strengthened rules to stop wage theft and industrial manslaughter, and improved work health and safety for certain workers.
Closing Loopholes (No.2)
This change saw improved rights and more choices for gig workers and those in casual employment. It also set out to improve workers’ work-life balance with the introduction of the right to disconnect.
Paid Parental Leave
This change broadens the availability and eligibility of the government’s paid parental leave scheme.
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