Millions of Australian workers will have their penalty and overtime rates protected under new legislation introduced to parliament today by the Albanese Labor Government.
Our number one focus is continuing to deliver cost of living relief for the Australian people.
We want people to earn more and keep more of what they earn – this protects that for millions of Australians.
The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025 will prevent variations to awards that would reduce or remove an employee’s penalty rates or overtime rates.
Penalty rates and overtime rates are an essential feature of the award safety net and should be protected.
Protecting a fair minimum safety net of terms and conditions of employment is crucial for workers who are award reliant and low paid.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“Our number one focus is continuing to deliver cost of living relief to Australians.
“Protecting penalty rates for millions of workers is an important part of that – making sure Australians can earn more and keep more of what they earn.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth:
“If you rely on the modern award safety net and work weekends, public holidays, early mornings or late nights, you deserve to have your wages protected.
“This legislation will prevent award variations from reducing or removing penalty and overtime rates. It will ensure the wages of around 2.6 million modern award-reliant workers are protected.
“Millions of hard-working Australians rely on penalty rates and overtime rates to keep their heads above water, which is why this Bill is so critical and should receive the support of both the Opposition and the Greens.”