Accountability

How to access information, the reports we deliver and information that we report to parliament.

Accessing information

Transparency about our operations is important to us. We demonstrate our accountability and efficiency by providing readily accessible information to you.

On this page, you can learn how to access information and reports about us from our website or by contacting us.

You can access information from us under our Information Access Policy. Go to the Accessing our information page to find:

  • about our Information Publication Scheme
  • how to access information under our Information Access Policy
  • how to make a freedom of information request
  • what previous freedom of information requests have been made.

Reporting to parliament

We report specific information either directly to Parliament, or make it accessible on our website.

This information includes our:

Reports and submissions

We write and publish reports to let you know about activities we're doing.

For more information and to access these reports go to:

We also make submissions to reviews and prepare responses to research reports which relate to our activities.

You can see the submissions and responses we've made on our Submissions page.

Fair Work Ombudsman employee census highlights report 2024

The 2024 Fair Work Ombudsman employee census highlights report is now available.

The APS employee census is run by the Australian Public Service Commission, who have a legislative responsibility to report to Parliament each year on the ‘state of the APS’ and publish the State of the Service Report. The 2024 employee census was conducted from May to June 2024 and collected information on attitudes and opinions of APS employees. Find out more about the APS employee census.

The highlights report 2024 summarises key information about our employee census results. Download the FWO census highlights report 2024 FWO census highlights report 2024. Download our 2024 Agency Census Plan.

Emissions Reduction Plan

The Fair Work Ombudsman Emissions Reduction Plan provides a pathway for us to work towards the APS Net Zero 2030 target through emissions reduction activities. APS Net Zero 2030 is the target set by the Australian Government to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from Government operations by 2030.

The plan summarises key information about our steps to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Download our Emissions Reduction Plan.

Review of the Fair Work Ombudsman

As part of the 2023-24 Budget, the Australian Government announced a specialist review into the operations of the Fair Work Ombudsman. A copy of the final report is available on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website at Review of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Fair Work Ombudsman, Anna Booth, has provided her response to the report to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Download a copy of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s response.

Review of the Fair Work Act 2009 definition of ‘small business employer’

The Fair Work Ombudsman was asked by the Australian Government in July 2024 to conduct a review into the small business employer definition in section 23 of the Fair Work Act. The final report was provided to the Hon Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, on 30 June 2025.

It examined previous reviews which have considered small business employer definitions, assessed available data, undertook targeted stakeholder consultation with small business employer and employee stakeholders, and consulted other relevant Government agencies who use definitions of small business.

Download the Small business employer definition review report.

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