June Labour Force Figures Show a Diverging Market
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the June 2025 labour force data this week. Nationally, the unemployment rate saw a slight increase to 4.1%. However, the story in Western Australia is one of continued tightness, with the state’s unemployment rate holding firm at a low 3.6%. This data highlights the ongoing competition for talent in the WA market.
Action: With skilled candidates still scarce locally, focus on employee retention strategies and consider expanding your recruitment efforts to include interstate or skilled migrant talent pools. (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics)
FWC Clarifies ‘Reasonableness’ in a Key Right to Disconnect Case
In a significant decision handed down this week, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has provided its first major interpretation of the ‘right to disconnect’ laws. The ruling clarified that what is considered “unreasonable” contact outside of work hours depends heavily on context, including the employee’s role, seniority, and the urgency of the communication.
Action: Review your policy on out-of-hours contact. Ensure it provides guidance for managers on assessing reasonableness, not just a blanket ban on communication. (Source: Fair Work Commission) AFR
ATO Issues Reminder on Superannuation Payment Accuracy
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) issued a bulletin this week reminding employers to be diligent with their first payroll runs of the new financial year. The ATO noted that early data indicates some businesses have made errors in applying the new 12% Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate, which took effect on 1 July.
Action: Urgently double-check your payroll system and your first July staff payslips to confirm that superannuation has been calculated correctly at the 12% rate. Rectify any errors immediately to avoid penalties. (Source: Australian Taxation Office)
New Report Highlights Rising Employee Demand for Flexibility
A national workplace trends report published this week by industry analysts found that requests for flexible work arrangements have increased by over 15% in the first half of 2025 compared to last year. The report cites work-life balance and commuting costs as the primary drivers.
Action: Treat flexible work requests as a key part of your talent attraction and retention strategy. Ensure you have a clear, fair, and documented process for considering these requests, as required by the Fair Work Act. (Source: Australian Financial Review / Industry Reports)
Home Affairs Announces Priority Processing for Key Visas
In response to persistent skills shortages, the Department of Home Affairs stated this week that it will give priority processing to employer-sponsored Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa applications in the health, education, and technology sectors.
Action: If you are looking to sponsor an overseas worker in one of these critical fields, now is an opportune time to lodge your application. Consult with a registered migration agent to ensure your submission is decision-ready. (Source: Department of Home Affairs)
Perth Company Fined Over Machine Safety Breach
WorkSafe WA publicised a court ruling this week where a local manufacturing business was fined over $60,000 after a worker sustained a serious injury. The incident was caused by inadequate guarding on a piece of machinery. The regulator stressed that such incidents are preventable.
Action: Use this as a safety reminder. Conduct a spot-check of your own workshop or site, paying special attention to machine guarding and ensuring Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are being followed. (Source: WorkSafe WA)
