New court comes after concerns of costly, complex court system
The Australian government has announced that it is establishing a new Fair Work Court that aims to resolve workplace disputes faster and at a lower cost.
The court, which works "seamlessly" with the Fair Work Commission, will have specialist judges with workplace relations expertise to resolve disputes, according to a joint release from the government
"The new Fair Work Court will create a streamlined dispute resolution pathway, drawing on the expertise of specialist judges to make it easier and simpler for workers and businesses to navigate the legal system," said Attorney-General Michelle Rowland.
Costly, complex court system
The new Fair Work Court comes amid concerns that the current court system can be costly, complex, and slow to respond to the needs of employers and employees.
According to the government, some workers and small businesses are spending more than two years waiting for a resolution, where sometimes their case will cost more than their claim is worth.
"Australians who have been underpaid hundreds, even thousands, of dollars shouldn't have to wait years for justice, or be told their case will cost more than their claim," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.
"That's why Labor will fix it – with the Fair Work Court to resolve disputes faster and at lower cost, benefiting employees and employers alike."
A consultation will be held on the design of the proposed court this year, where employers, employees, and legal experts will be able to provide feedback.
"We want to get this right, which is why consultation will be central to shaping the design of the proposed court," said Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth.
Australia's new court is the "biggest change to workplace resolution since the Fair Work Act," according to the Labor Party.
It comes as the Fair Work Commission suffers from a surge in cases driven by an increase in AI-assisted claims. FWC President Justice Hatcher previously warned that the rate of workload growth "is unsustainable within the Commission's current operational, performance, and funding structures."
