The final report reviewed the operation of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 and the amendments made by Part 16A of Schedule 1 of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023 (the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Review).
The independent review was conducted by Emeritus Professor Mark Bray and Professor Alison Preston. Professors Bray and Preston were appointed by the former Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, on 2 October 2024.
The reviewers conducted a two-stage consultation process, with the initial round of consultation taking place between October and November 2024 seeking views from stakeholders on the operation of the amendments.
Upon releasing the draft report on 3 February 2025, the reviewers sought feedback and additional evidence in response to the draft findings and recommendations, receiving a total of 88 submissions across both stages.
The final report found "the early signs are that collective bargaining is increasing, especially the coverage of collective agreements, and real wages and other indicators of workers' economic circumstances have started to improve" and that "early trends in the gender wage gap suggest positive outcomes."
The final report made 21 recommendations to further improve the operation of these important reforms. The Government will consider the report's findings and recommendations and will respond at a later date.
The Final Report can be found at Review of the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government.
