Learn languages naturally with fresh, real content!

tap to translate recording

Explore By Region

flag Australia’s 2024 right-to-disconnect law reduced full-time workers’ unpaid overtime, but part-time workers saw increases due to delayed compliance in small businesses.

flag Australia's right to disconnect laws, implemented in 2024, appear to be reducing unpaid overtime for full-time workers, with weekly unpaid hours dropping from 6.2 in 2023 to 3.8 in 2025—saving workers about $8,892 annually. flag Researchers attribute much of the decline to the new law, though cost-of-living pressures and stronger bargaining may also play a role. flag However, part-time workers saw unpaid overtime rise from 2.8 to 3.7 hours per week, likely due to their concentration in sectors like hospitality and retail, where small businesses only began complying in August 2025. flag Experts highlight ongoing challenges for part-time workers, including job insecurity and limited awareness of rights, and recommend stronger collective agreements with automatic overtime triggers and transparent hour tracking. flag Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said the law has faced no major disputes and a survey found 58% of employers reported improved employee engagement and productivity.

11 Articles