Fair Work Updates for Small Businesses – What You Need to Know

Big news for small businesses!

From 26 August 2025, two major Fair Work rules—once only for larger employers—now apply to small businesses with fewer than 15 employees.

As a small business owner, this is not something you can afford to ignore. These changes bring new rights for employees, new obligations for you, and new risks if you’re not prepared.

What’s New

Right to Disconnect:

• Employees can now refuse unreasonable work-related contact outside their regular hours. This includes calls, emails, and texts. Without a clear policy in place, you may unintentionally cross the line, and face disputes.

Employee Choice Pathway for Casual Employees:

• Casual staff with 12 months’ service in small businesses can now formally request conversion to permanent part-time or full-time roles. You must respond fairly and within the rules—or risk escalation to the Fair Work Commission.

These updates give employees stronger protections and the Commission greater authority to step in when disputes arise.

Why This Matters to You

• Boundaries and Compliance Risk: Employers must respect employees’ right to disconnect. If you don’t have policies and processes in place, you may unintentionally breach your obligations
• Dispute Escalation: Staff have a clear pathway to lodge disputes, meaning business owners must act fairly and document decisions
• Workplace Culture: Mismanaging these changes can hurt morale, retention, and your reputation as an employer

At Integrated People Solutions, we know these updates can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to make it simple.

We are here to help you:

• Create clear policies for after-hours communication
• Set up procedures for handling casual-to-permanent requests fairly
• Train managers and owners on how to apply these changes consistently
• Provide templates and guides so you’re never left wondering what to do next
• Resolve disputes early before they escalate to Fair Work

This isn’t just about compliance, it is your chance to reset expectations, protect your business, and build a stronger, more productive team.

Stay compliant. Stay confident. Stay ahead. With Integrated People Solutions by your side.

If you are looking for a HR Consultant, Tailored Recruitment or Payroll support, we service the following areas:

Whittlesea, Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Nillumbik in Victoria

Suburbs we service in Whittlesea

Beveridge, Bundoora, Donnybrook, Doreen, Epping, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang, Thomastown, Whittlesea, Wollert, Woodstock, Yan Yean

Suburbs we service in Darebin

Bundoora, Coburg, Coburg North, Fairfield, Keon Park, Kingsbury, Macleod, Northcote, Preston, Reservoir and Thornbury

Suburbs we service in Hume

Broadmeadows, Bulla, Campbellfield, Coolaroo, Craigieburn, Fawkner, Gladstone Park, Greenvale, Jacana, Kalkallo, Keilor, Meadow Heights, Melbourne Airport, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park, Somerton, Sunbury, Tullamarine, and Westmeadows

Suburbs we service in Nillumbik

Doreen, Eltham, Eltham North, Greensborough, Hurstbridge

Contact Us: (03) 7076 1567 or email hr@integratedpeoplesolutions.com.au

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