BCSDA preparing evidence-informed submission to National Employment Standards inquiry

Sydney, 25 February 2026 – The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA) intends to lodge a submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards (NES), setting out practical, evidence-informed options to strengthen the system’s workability while maintaining core worker protections.

Developed through consultation with members, the submission will support a strong and consistently applied safety net and focus on areas where clearer guidance, better use of evidence and improved implementation tools could reduce uncertainty for both employers and employees.

BCSDA’s proposals include clearer and more consistently operable guidance on “reasonable additional hours”, supported by proportionate record-keeping expectations; simplified, scenario-based guidance to address common NES–award–agreement interaction issues; the introduction of a minimum indicator set and evaluation cycle to monitor NES performance over time; and practical implementation tools such as templates, checklists and worked examples, particularly to support small and medium enterprises and supply-chain application. BCSDA is not proposing reductions to minimum entitlements; the submission focuses on clearer guidance, better evidence, and practical implementation tools.

“Our submission will focus on how the National Employment Standards operate in practice,” said BCSDA CEO Andrew Petersen. “We support a strong and reliable safety net for workers, and we see opportunities to improve clarity, consistency and evidence use so the NES can be administered effectively across different sectors, workforce models and business sizes.”

ENDS

About BCSDA

The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to operationalising sustainable development practices among Australian businesses. BCSDA was established in Australia in 1991 and works with over 70 leading global businesses and other organisations to drive systemic transformation in key sectors, advocating for sustainable leadership and rewarding action through education, partnerships, and policy influence.

In 2014 the organisation was appointed Australia’s Network Partner for World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

BCSDA’s members believe that by integrating social and environmental impacts with financial results, business lowers its risk profile, makes better decisions and creates the solutions needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

BCSDA’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental and social development. It represents member companies, public sector enterprises and institutions, and community organisations, which in turn represent 120,000+ Australian employees. www.bcsda.org.au 

For further information contact: Andrew Petersen, CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, +61 412 545 994