Our policies
Find out more information about our internal policies, procedures and plans.
On this page:
- How we do our work
- Who we work with
- Accessing our information
- Privacy
- Diversity and inclusion
- Tools and resources
- Related information
How we do our work
Policies
Policies are our interpretations of the laws we enforce and internal policies and procedures we have in place.
- Our Compliance and Enforcement Policy summarises the services we offer to support compliance with workplace laws.
- Our Media Policy explains why and how we engage with the media.
- Our Stakeholder Engagement Strategy sets out key principles that we use in stakeholder engagement to ensure our stakeholder interactions are consistent, meaningful, productive, transparent and beneficial for everyone involved. It also has examples of where and how we engage with stakeholders.
- Our Small Business Strategy explains how we will support small business employers by driving awareness of our small business educational offerings and continue to target our small business services and support. It also describes how we will continue to maintain a strong small business focus, ensuring our services continue to meet the needs of this priority group.
- Our Information Access Policy is available on our Accessing our information page.
Regulator performance
In 2021, the Australian Government released a Regulator Performance Guide (Guide), which outlines refreshed expectations for regulator performance and reporting.
Read more about the Guide on the Regulator performance page.
Legislative instruments and delegations
Legislative instruments and delegations outline the powers and responsibilities of certain individuals within FWO.
- FWO - Delegation of Powers under the FW Act
- FWO - Delegation of Paid Parental Leave Act Powers
- FWO - Directions to Fair Work Inspectors
- FWO - General Authorisation to Consent to Litigation
- FWO - Delegation of Freedom of Information s10A and s23
Audit and Risk Committee Charter
This charter sets out the objectives, authority and roles and responsibilities of the Fair Work Ombudsman and Registered Organisations Commission Audit and Risk Committee.
Procedures for handling suspected breaches of the code of conduct
This sets out how we:
- handle breaches of the Australia Public Service code of conduct
- decide on the sanctions (if any), when an employee breaches the code of conduct.
Download the procedures:
Procedures for handling suspected fraud
You can confidentially provide information about suspected fraudulent or unethical behaviour impacting the FWO and its services by emailing us at fraud@fwo.gov.au. No other types of information will be actioned by emailing this address.
Our commitment to you
Whenever you contact us, you can expect that we will treat you in a courteous, respectful and timely way. We will help you with your enquiry and take all necessary steps to provide you with a service you are satisfied with.
We recognise that your situation is unique and we will take the time to understand your individual circumstances. We expect to provide you with a greater understanding of your rights and responsibilities under the Australian workplace relations system. You can find out more on the Our commitment to you page.
Who we work with
We work with many different government agencies, employer and employee organisations and various authorities to promote and enforce compliance with workplace laws.
If during the course of our work we become aware of situations or issues that may be relevant to another government agency or authority, we may refer that information to the appropriate agency or authority. For example, we have an agreement (known as the Assurance Protocol) with the Department of Home Affairs about visa protections for migrant workers in some circumstances. See Visa holders and migrants for more information.
If we identify issues that may be criminal in nature, we refer this information to the Australian Federal Police using a set referral process. For example, this may occur if we:
- are investigating a matter and we identify that there may be suspected people trafficking involved, or
- identify breaches of the Fair Work Act 2009 that are criminal offences, such as when an employer or employee organisation gives, receives or solicits bribes.
Sometimes our agreement to work with another organisation is formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding.
Accessing our information
This is our policy on accessing information that we hold.
Download the policy:
Visit the Accessing our information page for more information about accessing information under the Information Access Policy.
Privacy
Privacy Policy
This is our policy on dealing with personal information.
Download the summary of the policy for an overview:
Download the policy:
Visit the Privacy page for more information on privacy when using our website.
Legal professional privilege policy
This is a guide on how we deal with claims for Legal Professional Privilege.
Download the policy:
Procedures for handling public interest disclosures
This sets out how we handle public interest disclosures.
Download the procedures:
For further information about making a public interest disclosure, or if you’d like to contact an officer authorised to receive public interest disclosures, email PublicInterestDisclosure@fwo.gov.au
Diversity and inclusion
Diversity and inclusion strategy
Our Diversity and inclusion strategy sets out how we will achieve our goals to:
- ensure access and opportunity for all
- increase awareness through training and sharing our experiences
- drive and exemplify an inclusive, flexible and collaborative workplace.
Download the strategy:
Multicultural Access and Equity Action Plan
Our Multicultural Access and Equity Action Plan ensures that everyone who deals with us gets equal access to our services, including people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Download the plan:
Gender Equality Action Plan
Our Gender Equality Action Plan sets out how we will embed gender equality across our agency.
We will strive to:
- drive a culture where gender equality is valued and considered in planning and decision making
- achieve greater gender equality in senior leadership (EL2 and above)
- increase the take-up of flexibility arrangements amongst all employees
- incorporate measurement and evaluation of our progress into current reporting and communicate progress to the agency annually.
Download the plan:
Reconciliation Action Plan
Our vision for reconciliation is for a fair, diverse and socially inclusive workplace where we build understanding and respect amongst our employees for the histories and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their contribution to the social, economic and cultural life of Australia.
This understanding and respect will be reflected in our services.
Download the plan:
