Important workplace changes for small businesses
Recent updates affect small business employers and their employees. Learn more about the right to disconnect, upcoming casual employment changes, and what steps you can take now.
On this page
- What’s changing
- What you can do now
- Stay informed
What’s changing
Right to disconnect
From 26 August 2025, the right to disconnect will apply to employees of small business employers. It has already applied to employees of larger businesses since 26 August 2024.
This right allows employees to refuse to monitor, read, or respond to work-related contact outside of their normal working hours—unless it’s unreasonable to do so. This covers contact (or attempted contact) from both employers and third parties.
Casual employment changes
From 26 August 2025, eligible casual employees working for a small business may request (in writing) to switch to part-time or full-time employment through the employee choice pathway. Employers and employees will need to follow specific rules when giving or responding to such a notice.