Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reminded Australians to “enjoy your downtime this weekend” as landmark right to disconnect laws officially take effect, giving millions of workers the legal right to refuse work calls and emails outside paid hours.
From 26 August 2025, staff in small businesses will gain the same protection as given last year to employees in medium and large businesses under the Fair Work Act changes.
The reforms mean workers cannot be penalised for “reasonably” refusing to monitor or respond to calls, texts or emails outside their rostered hours, unless required by law or where refusal would be deemed unreasonable.
Last yera, then Employment Minister Murray Watt said the changes were about restoring work–life balance: “Clocking off used to mean something in this country,” he said.
“Workers shouldn’t be required to do unpaid overtime. This is about time with family, friends, or simply time to yourself.”
The laws were introduced after growing concern over the so-called “digital leash” of phones and laptops, with international precedents in France and local workplace policies such as those adopted by Victoria Police.
Alongside the right to disconnect, the Albanese Government’s Closing the Loopholes legislation also introduces:
- A fairer definition of casual employment and a pathway to permanency.
- A clearer test for determining whether someone is an employee or independent contractor.
- Minimum standards for gig economy and road transport workers, set by the Fair Work Commission.
With small business employees joining the scheme, the reforms are expected to cover nearly all national system employees, loosening the grip of the digital leash for millions of Australian workers.
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