Related sites
This page has links to other government bodies and support services websites.
On this page:
Government organisations
Workplace relations
The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) is the independent national workplace relations tribunal. The Commission carries out a range of functions relating to awards and agreements, termination and industrial action and disputes.
The Registered Organisations Commission (ROC) is the independent regulator of unions and employer associations. In 2023, the ROC will be abolished and its functions will move to the Fair Work Commission. Learn more at:
- ROC – Upcoming changes to the regulator of registered organisations
- Secure Jobs, Better Pay: changes to Australian workplace laws
Tax
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) provides a number of tools and resources to help employers, owner drivers and hirers meet their tax obligations. For more information on state and territory payroll tax, visit business.gov.au – Payroll tax.
Workplace health and safety
Each state and territory has a local workplace health and safety body, which regulates and investigates breaches of laws about workplace health and safety, including bullying and harassment.
- Australian Capital Territory: Work Safe ACT
- New South Wales: SafeWork NSW
- Northern Territory: NT WorkSafe
- Queensland: Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
- South Australia: SafeWork SA
- Tasmania: WorkSafe Tasmania
- Victoria: WorkSafe Victoria
- Western Australia: WorkSafe WA
Safe Work Australia is the statutory agency leading the development of national policy to improve work health and safety and workers' compensation arrangements across Australia.
Comcare (Commonwealth) works with employees and employers to minimise the impact of harm in the workplace.
Workplace sexual harassment
The Australian Human Rights Commission and Respect@Work Council have a tailored website to help workplaces prevent and respond to sexual harassment and create a work culture that is safe, respectful and equal for everyone.
The website is a one-stop-shop for information relating to workplace sexual harassment. It includes resources, education and assessment tools, articles, and other materials. All material is free and easily accessible. Visit the Respect@Work website.
Human trafficking and slavery
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is responsible for investigating human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices. This may include servitude, forced labour and forced marriage, which are complex crimes and a major violation of human rights.
The Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) is responsible for implementing the Modern Slavery Act 2018. Home Affairs provides general advice and support to entities about compliance with reporting requirements under the Act.
Anti-discrimination
We can help with discrimination issues in the workplace. To find out how we can help go to Protection from discrimination at work.
If we can't help, there are national and state or territory anti-discrimination bodies that may be able to assist.
National
The Australian Human Rights Commission considers and accepts complaints of workplace discrimination, harassment and bullying covered under federal law. This may include bullying or harassment complaints based on race, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion or disability.
The Commission also has a free National Information Service that provides information and referrals for individuals and employers on a range of discrimination issues.
State and territory
Each state and territory has a local anti-discrimination body, which can consider and investigate breaches of state or territory anti-discrimination laws in workplaces. To resolve complaints, these bodies often use conciliation between both parties in their dispute resolution process:
- Australian Capital Territory: ACT Human Rights Commission
- New South Wales: Anti-Discrimination Board of New South Wales
- Northern Territory: Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission
- Queensland: Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland
- South Australia: Equal Opportunity Commission - South Australia
- Tasmania: Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner - Tasmania
- Victoria: Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
- Western Australia: Equal Opportunity Commission - Western Australia.
Security of payment
Security of payment refers to a building contractor’s right to receive payments that are due under their contract. Each state and territory has its own security of payment laws that provide a statutory mechanism for resolving payment disputes.
The agencies listed below can provide information on relevant laws, details or adjudicators for payment delays and disputes in each state or territory.
- Australian Capital Territory: Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate
- New South Wales: Fair Trading
- Northern Territory: Construction Contracts Registrar
- Queensland: Queensland Building and Construction Commission
- South Australia: Office of the Small Business Commissioner
- Tasmania: Department of Justice
- Victoria: Victorian Building Authority
- Western Australia: Building and Energy
Family and domestic violence
The national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service 1800 RESPECT provides confidential information, counselling and support for people impacted by domestic and family violence
Legal organisations
Legal aid and community legal centres
Legal aid in each state and territory may be able to provide legal advice or assistance.
National Association of Community Legal Centres are not-for-profit community organisations that provide legal and related services to the public, focusing on the disadvantaged and people with special needs.
Legislation and court judgements
Australasian Legal Information Institute provides access to legislation and court judgements as well as summaries on the law.
Commonwealth of Australia Law ComLaw provides online copies of Commonwealth legislation and related documents.
Courts
The Federal Court of Australia has jurisdiction to deal with most civil disputes, along with some criminal matters.
The High Court of Australia is the supreme court in Australia and decides cases of federal significance and hears appeals from Federal, State and Territory courts.
We are not affiliated with, and do not endorse, any commercial providers of advisory or workplace relations services. Read our full statement on Private firms and workplace advisory services for more information.
