21/04/2026 A recent case in the Federal Circuit and Family Court has provided the first decision under the new penalty provisions for sexual harassment under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Fair Work Act). Amendments to the Fair Work Act that commenced on 6 March 2023 introduced a civil penalty for sexual harassment in the …
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In January 2024, Safe Work Australia released a model WHS Code of Practice for Sexual and Gender-based Harassment, providing practical guidance on how to eliminate or minimise the risk of sexual and gender-based harassment at work.
Alert: AHRC releases guidelines for new positive duty. From 12 December 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission will have the power to enforce compliance with the positive duty obligation under section 47(c) of Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth). The positive duty requires organisations and businesses to take ‘reasonable and proportionate measures’ to eliminate, as far …
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The Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022(Cth) places a positive duty on employers, including agencies to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate hostile workplace environments, sexual harassment, harassment on the grounds of sex, gender-based discrimination in the workplace and related acts of victimisation. Under the Work Health and Safety …
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With the recent passing of the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Act 2021 (Cth), applications can be made from 11 November 2021 to the Fair Work Commission for a Stop Sexual Harassment Order if an employee reasonably believes that they have been sexually harassed at work.