Australia moving to protect FDV victims from workplace discrimination

New measures to ensure employees ‘not penalised’ if they disclose situation

BY Dexter Tilo 26 Aug 2023

The Australian government will introduce next month new measures to protect victims of family and domestic violence (FDV) from workplace discrimination.

Employment Minister Tony Burke announced that the government will amend the Fair Work Act in the next round of workplace relations reforms to include FDV under the so-called "protected attributes."

This will prohibit employers from taking adverse action against FDV victims for discriminatory reasons, according to the government.

Other changes include prohibiting terms in enterprise agreements and modern awards that discriminate victims of FDV. It will also require the Fair Work Commission to further its goal of stamping out this type of discrimination.

"Violence doesn't discriminate and neither should the law," Burke said in a statement. "That's why these proposed changes are so important - ensuring that workers are not penalised in any way if they disclose that they have been subjected to family and domestic violence."

According to the government, these changes will also help victims and survivors feel more at ease in accessing their FDV leave and flexible work without fear of losing their jobs.

Paid FDV leave introduction

The government last year introduced 10 days of paid FDV leave to all employees, including casuals, to ensure that they don't have to choose between their safety and pay.

"Because of the government's reforms last year, employees in Australia will also have access to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave, a work entitlement that will save lives," Burke said.