The Albanese Labor Government will create a new Fair Work Court to provide simpler, fairer and faster justice for working Australians.
A fair workplace relations system relies on workers and employers being able to resolve disputes quickly and fairly.
The current court system for workers and employers can be costly, complex to navigate, and slow to respond to the needs of modern workplaces.
Currently, some workers and small businesses are spending more than two years fighting for a resolution that should be simple.
They also shouldn’t be in a situation where their case will cost more than their claim is worth.
The new federal Fair Work Court will provide a specialist forum for resolving workplace relations disputes that works seamlessly with the Fair Work Commission.
Specialist judges with workplace relations expertise would sit on the Court, with the aim of supporting faster, simpler and more accessible dispute resolution.
A new Fair Work Court is decades in the making, after the Howard Government abolished the last industrial relations court in 1997.
The Government will consult on the design of the proposed court this year.
Consultation will help shape how the Court works, including how it will work with the existing Fair Work Commission, and how it will improve access to justice and better support workers and employers navigating disputes.
Workers, employers, and legal experts will be able to provide feedback before the Government considers the court's final design and next steps.
More details will be released soon about the consultation process.
Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:
“Australians who have been underpaid hundreds, even thousands, of dollars shouldn’t have to wait years for justice, or be told their case will cost more than their claim.
“That’s why Labor will fix it – with the Fair Work Court to resolve disputes faster and at lower cost, benefiting employees and employers alike.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth:
“A Fair Work Court will make a significant difference to help workers receive the entitlements and pay they worked hard for.
“It is important the system works fairly and efficiently for workers and employers.
“Specialist judges with workplace relations expertise would ensure workplace matters are considered by people with appropriate expertise.
“We want to get this right, which is why consultation will be central to shaping the design of the proposed court.”
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland:
“The Albanese Government is committed to enabling timely and effective access to justice for more Australians.
“The new Fair Work Court will create a streamlined dispute resolution pathway, drawing on the expertise of specialist judges to make it easier and simpler for workers and businesses to navigate the legal system.
“The Government looks forward to consulting with workers, business and the legal profession on the final design of the court.”