Australia to establish new Fair Work Court for faster workplace dispute resolution

The Australian federal government announced plans to create a new specialist Fair Work Court aimed at providing simpler, faster and cheaper resolution of workplace disputes. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the current system leaves workers waiting years for justice and can cost more than the claim itself. The court will operate alongside the existing Fair Work Commission and be staffed by judges with expertise in workplace relations.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth highlighted that specialist judges will help workers receive entitlements promptly, while Attorney‑General Michelle Rowland framed the reform as part of a broader access‑to‑justice push. The government will consult with workers, employers and legal experts later this year on the court’s design.

Commentary notes that the idea of a dedicated employment court dates back to the 1994 industrial relations court, which was abolished in 1997, and that the new court seeks to close gaps that currently make recovering unpaid wages and addressing wage‑theft offences costly and slow.