Employment Committee to hear expert views on adequacy of workers' minimum entitlements

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training will hold a public hearing in Canberra on Thursday, July 30, as part of its inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards (NES).

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

As it moves towards the end of its hearing program, the committee will explore several specialised issues that have emerged during the inquiry, including evidence requirements for personal leave, long service leave arrangements, and information about working conditions which employers must provide to their employees.

The committee will hear from legal experts, academics, medical practitioners, and stakeholder representatives.

Committee Chair, Dr Carina Garland MP, said the hearing would provide an opportunity to test evidence received throughout the inquiry and seek expert views on practical options for reform.

‘The inquiry has highlighted a number of complex issues that affect workers and employers in different ways, such as discrepancies in long service leave entitlements, the requirement for medical certificates when taking leave and employee rights to information about their employment," Dr Garland said. "This hearing will help the committee examine these issues in greater detail and identify practical solutions to ensure minimum employee entitlements remain clear, accessible and fit for purpose."

The committee will hear evidence from:

• Professor Emerita Sara Charlesworth;
• Law Council of Australia;
• Western Australian Government;
• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners;
• Employment Rights Legal Service;
• SA Portable Long Service Leave;
• Professor Emeritus David Peetz;
• Minerals Council of Australia;
• Australian Dairy Products Federation.

Further information is available on the committee's website.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday 30 July 2026
Time: 9am to 3.30pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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