Employment & workplaceAgencyExists today
Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO · Fair Work Ombudsman
1 July 2009 – present
Statutory agency led by the Fair Work Ombudsman that gives employers and employees information and advice on workplace rights and obligations and investigates, audits and litigates to enforce the Fair Work Act, awards and agreements.
How it came into existence
Established on 1 July 2009 by the Fair Work Act 2009, replacing the Workplace Ombudsman and taking over the information and advisory roles of the Workplace Authority.
- Enforcement of federal workplace laws
- Workplace inspections and litigation
- Information and advice on workplace agreements
Legislation: Fair Work Act 2009
Changes during its life
- 18 September 2013Moved to the new Department of Employment when the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations was abolished.
- September 2017The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017 strengthened its evidence-gathering powers and raised penalties for serious contraventions.
- 1 February 2020Moved to the Attorney-General's portfolio when industrial relations was transferred to the Attorney-General's Department.
- 1 July 2022Moved to the new Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
- Workplace relations compliance in the building and construction industry
Main functions
- Advice and education on workplace rights and obligations
- Investigating workplace complaints
- Audits and compliance campaigns
- Civil litigation for breaches of workplace laws
- Building and construction industry compliance (from 2023)
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
- Type of body
- Non-corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Employment and Workplace Relations
- Accountable authority
- Fair Work Ombudsman – Fair Work Act 2009 section 696(3)(b)
- ABN
- 43 884 188 232
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance)
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))