Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans to establish a new Fair Work Court, promising a faster, simpler and more affordable way for workers and employers to resolve workplace disputes.
The proposed federal court would specialise in workplace relations matters and operate alongside the Fair Work Commission, with specialist judges appointed to hear employment-related cases.
The government said the current court system is often too costly and slow, with some workers and small businesses waiting more than two years for disputes to be resolved. In many cases, legal costs can exceed the value of the claim itself.
Prime Minister Albanese said Australians who had been underpaid should not have to wait years for justice. “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,” he said.
“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.”
Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth said specialist judges with expertise in workplace relations would improve access to justice for both workers and employers.
“A Fair Work Court will make a significant difference to help workers receive the entitlements and pay they worked hard for.”
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the new court would create a streamlined pathway for resolving workplace disputes while making the legal system easier to navigate.
The government said it will begin public consultation on the court’s design later this year, seeking feedback from workers, employers, businesses and the legal profession before finalising the proposal.
The planned Fair Work Court would be Australia’s first specialist federal industrial relations court since the former industrial court was abolished in 1997 under the Howard Government.
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