1.      Care and flexibility

Working from home benefits employers and employees. Despite moves by some employers and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s claims about the public service, the Fair Work Commission is working to develop a working-from-home clause for industrial awards.

Fiona says: “It’s unlikely there’ll be a widespread return to five days in the office in 2025. We’re also expecting a continued reduction in overwork and unpaid overtime in the first full year of right-to-disconnect laws, which are expanding in August.”

2.      Gender pay gap

Following reforms to the Fair Work Act, a review of wage rates in female-dominated awards is underway. New cases to address gender undervaluation of work are before the Fair Work Commission.

Lisa says: “Hundreds of thousands of women and their families will benefit from the pay increases already awarded in care sectors. The Commonwealth Government’s preparedness to fund these pay increases has been critical. Continuing commitment will be essential to further narrow the gender pay gap in 2025.”

3.      Economic security for young women

Young women are more stressed by the financial squeeze than men and they’re less able to raise money in an emergency. They’re also more likely to have buy-now, pay-later debt. 60% of Australians with an outstanding HECS debt are women – and the gender pay gap means it takes them longer to pay it off.

Lisa says: “New laws for buy-now, pay-later schemes, which come into force in June, will help, but more action is needed to stop these schemes targeting young women.  A one-off reduction of 20% on HECS debt comes into force in 2025. It’s time for a broader conversation about fee-free tertiary education.”

4.      Workplace diversity, equality and inclusion

President Trump seems determined to drag the world back into the dark ages, despite mountains of evidence outlining the enormous benefits to employers and employees. US companies are abandoning workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs. This may reverberate in Australia. Peter Dutton is no fan of these programs.

Fiona says: “It’s encouraging to see that some Australian companies have responded to the dinosaur in the Oval Office by reaffirming their commitment to diversity and inclusion. More should do the same. If Peter Dutton becomes Prime Minister, the significant progress we’ve seen in recent years could be stopped in its tracks – or send us backwards.”

5.      AI and the digital transformation

The fast-growing take-up of AI could see job losses in female-dominated sectors like retail trade, administration and health.  AI is also being used in recruitment, workplace surveillance and allocation of work, leading to discrimination and loss of autonomy for workers.

Fiona says: “In 2025, rules around AI will be determined in Australia. Consultation with workers will be vital to good policy and law making in this area.”