The Fair Work Agency (FWA) has set out its vision for its first year (here), in a move hailed as an “important milestone” for labour market enforcement by industry expert Qdos. The FWA’s newly published 2026/27 Delivery Plan is built around three priorities – “deliver, build and innovate” – as the agency looks to strengthen workers’ rights, tackle non-compliance and lay the groundwork for an expanded enforcement role.
Describing Year 1 as a “foundational year”, the FWA says its work is “too important to stop or slow”, as it looks to move “from fragmented enforcement to joined-up impact.” The agency has also pledged to make compliance simpler for responsible employers, harness data and intelligence more effectively and take “tough action against rogue employers who exploit workers and/or undercut legitimate business.”
In time, its remit will also include enforcing regulation of umbrella companies – an area where robust enforcement will be critical to protecting workers and tackling non-compliance.
“The Fair Work Agency setting out its Year 1 plan is an important milestone,” says Seb Maley, CEO of tax insurance specialist Qdos.
“Momentum is building behind an organisation with the potential to transform labour market enforcement – protecting workers, backing responsible businesses and holding those who deliberately break the rules to account.
“The priority now is to build on that momentum as the agency’s capabilities and remit grow,” adds Maley. “But the devil will be in the detail. There are still big questions over how some of these rules will be enforced – and let’s not forget, we’re still waiting for the findings of the Make Work Pay consultation, which included several elements key to how the umbrella industry will be regulated alongside broader points around the conduct regulations.
“So, the direction of travel is encouraging – what really matters now is turning that ambition into action and, in turn, effective enforcement”
The FWA’s longer-term ambition is to become “one of the most effective compliance and enforcement agencies in the world”, with its first year laying the foundations for a three-year Enforcement Strategy from April 2027.
