From 26 August 2024 employees will have the right to disconnect under the Fair Work Act 2009.

For employees of small businesses,* it will start on 26 August 2025.

This means that outside their working hours, employees can refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact or attempted contact from:

• their employer, or
• another person if the contact is work-related (for example, work-related contact from clients or members of the public)

unless the employee’s refusal is unreasonable.