Federal election 2025 result: Employment and industrial relations reforms

Following the re-election of the Albanese Labor Government, employers can expect further industrial relations reform, focused on increasing employee and union protections. Many businesses will be affected by changes to labour hire arrangements, superannuation obligations, and post-employment restraints, with the reforms set to benefit a broad cross-section of Australian workers.

APSCo Australia Premium Partner, Gadens, has outlined the key reforms likely to impact employers over the coming years in the article below.

These upcoming changes are expected to affect businesses across multiple sectors and include:

• ‘Same job, same pay’ rules for labour hire workers

• Payday superannuation, effective 1 July 2026

• A proposed national labour hire licensing scheme

• Restrictions on post-employment restraints, targeted for 2027

• Ongoing changes to Fair Work Commission appointments

These reforms reflect a continued shift towards greater regulation and enhanced protections for employees.

APSCo Australia and Gadens encourages all members, particularly those engaging in labour hire, operating across jurisdictions, or including restraint clauses in employment contracts, to read the full article and consider the potential implications for your business.