Fair Work Commission

Working better for small business

With small business accounting for more than 9 out of every 10 employers in Australia, the Fair Work Commission wants to make sure the voice of small business employers is heard loud and clear.

The Commission engaged Mr Bruce Billson, small business advocate and former Commonwealth Minister for Small Business to engage with small business operators and their representatives to seek ideas and feedback about how the Commission can best meet the needs of small business. Consultation meetings were held across the country in the first half of 2017 to hear candid observations, practical insights and real-life experiences from small business employers.

A discussion paper provides background information to the types of issues and ideas that small business employers may have views about.

• Download the discussion paper: Working better for small business (PDF)

A report of consultation findings and recommendations will be published on the Commission’s website. The Commission is considering the recommendations and will respond publicly in relation to feasibility and implementation plans before the end of 2018.

The Commission plans to engage directly with small business operators and their representatives in the second half of 2018 to discuss the consultation findings, and prioritise initiatives to address small business needs and expectations.

How to get involved

To participate in small business consultation activities, or to find out more information about opportunities, please email consultation@fwc.gov.au. We also welcome feedback and ideas at any time.

Unfair dismissal user-design research

The Commission engaged Cube Group to undertake unfair dismissal user-design research with small business employers in 2017. Further user-design and user-testing is being conducted with small business employers and other users throughout 2018-19. 

Complaints

For complaints about Commission Members and staff or about an experience you’ve had at the Commission please visit our Complaints & feedback page.

Confidentiality & privacy

If you register your interest using an email address provided on this page, the Commission will collect your personal information, specifically your name, email address and contact details, for the purpose of facilitating research and consultation activities. The consequence of not providing some or all of your personal information is that the Commission may not be able to arrange for you to participate.

The Commission will use and disclose your personal information to Commission staff and meeting hosts for the purposes of your participation in research and consultation activities, including to coordinate meetings, circulate information to participants and meeting hosts, and obtain feedback from participants as required. Your personal information will not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to any other person or organisation by the Commission, unless such use or disclosure is with your consent or is otherwise permitted under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

All comments and contributions made to research and consultation activities will be used for research purposes only and will not be attributed to individual participants. Reporting will not identify individual participants.

Please refer to the Commission’s Privacy policy for information on how to access or request an amendment to your personal information held by the Commission, and how to make a complaint about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles.

The Commission’s privacy officer may be contacted by emailing foi@fwc.gov.au or by mail to: Privacy Officer, Fair Work Commission, GPO Box 1994, Melbourne 3001.