The Australian government on Monday established a legal right for millions of workers to “go offline”, allowing them to ignore unreasonable out-of-hours contact from employers, a move that has caused concern across major industries. AFP reported.
Under the new law, employees can now “refuse to monitor, read or respond to” work-related communications outside of their regular hours, unless such refusal is deemed “unreasonable.” This legislation aligns with similar laws in some European and Latin American countries.
Trade unions have hailed the legislation, calling it a significant step towards restoring work-life balance. Michele O'Neil, president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, hailed the day as historic, noting that the trade union movement has achieved the right for Australians to enjoy quality time with their families without the stress of constant work-related communications.
Instead, Australian industry has expressed concerns. The Australian Industry Group criticised the “right to disconnect” laws as rushed and ill-conceived, suggesting they create confusion about communication and scheduling outside of working hours.
The law, which was enacted in February, applies to medium and large companies starting Monday, with smaller companies (fewer than 15 employees) becoming subject to the law starting August 26, 2025.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth encouraged workplace stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the new right and approach its application sensibly. She noted that courts could intervene if workers unreasonably refuse contact outside of working hours or if employers unreasonably demand responses. Factors influencing what is considered reasonable include the nature of the contact, the employee's role and any compensation for additional hours or availability.
The “right to disconnect” was first introduced in France in 2017 to address the “always-on” culture driven by smartphones and digital devices.
