Fair Work Amendment (Right to Disconnect) 2023 [No. 2]

# Fair Work Amendment (Right to Disconnect) 2023 ## What it does Employers would be banned from contacting workers outside their normal work hours unless it's an emergency or the worker is being paid an "availability allowance" to stay on call. Workers also wouldn't be required to read, respond to, or monitor emails and calls outside their hours unless they're receiving that allowance. ## Why it matters It's a direct response to the always-on work culture where people feel pressured to answer emails at 9pm or during their days off. This puts a legal boundary around that expectation—particularly important now that many Australians work from home and the line between work and personal time has blurred. ## Key details - **The main exception**: Genuine emergencies or welfare concerns still allow contact anytime. If you're a hospital supervisor or work in crisis management, this still applies to you. - **The loophole**: Employers can keep contacting workers if they pay them an "availability allowance"—basically extra money for being on call. - **When it starts**: The law would begin the day after it receives Royal Assent (meaning it hasn't been passed yet—it's currently before the Senate).