Employment Committee examines adequacy of National Employment Standards in detail

The inquiry was referred to the committee on November 27 last year by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth MP.

At its public hearing the committee will explore how minimum worker entitlements are operating in practice across different sectors and workforce groups. The committee will hear from industrial relations specialists, legal experts and sector representatives.

Committee Chair, Carina Garland MP, said the hearing would help the committee test the detail of proposals and evidence put forward during the inquiry to date.

"The committee is seeking to identify practical solutions, to ensure workers’ minimum entitlements remain clear, reflective of the evolving nature of work, and aligned with the intent of the Fair Work Act," Dr Garland said. "We encourage organisations with relevant expertise or a strong interest in these issues to contact the Committee about appearing at a future hearing on 30 July."

The committee will hear evidence from:

• Chifley Research Centre
• Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Indigenous Allied Health Australia
• Holding Redlich
• The Australian HR Institute
• Australian Council of Trade Unions
• Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association
• Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union
• Australian Services Union
• Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation

Further information is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
Time: 9:30am to 3.40 pm
Location: Legislative Council Committee Room, Parliament of Victoria, Melbourne

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Members of the public interested in attending the hearing in person should advise the secretariat by June 7, to facilitate building access.

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