Every day, SDA members see firsthand how the rules of work affect their lives – from whether your paid properly, to how much time off you receive to enjoy life outside of work, or to care for family.
The SDA doesn’t just negotiate your workplace conditions with your employer we make sure you’re represented when government or parliamentary inquiries examine workplace laws.
In 2026, the SDA has made a range of submissions and appearances to demonstrate to government what matters to SDA members at work and to push for strong protections and fairer laws.
This includes updating the National Employment Standards for better minimum standards including 5 weeks annual leave.
The National Employment Standards (NES) set the legal minimum for leave, working hours and basic protections – but many of these standards haven’t changed in decades. In our submission to the House of Representatives inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the NES, the SDA argued that the safety net no longer reflects how people actually work today.
The SDA is calling for stronger and fairer minimum entitlements, including improved and increased annual leave, proper income protection while on leave, better recognition of caring responsibilities, and greater roster certainty. These changes are particularly important for a retail workforce that is predominantly female, young and working irregular hours. The improvements the SDA is arguing for are aimed at preventing financial stress, burnout and people being forced out of work altogether.
Ending Wage Theft for Good
Wage theft remains widespread, particularly in industries with high numbers of young workers, casuals and insecure jobs. In our submission to the Senate Education and Employment References Committee inquiry into wage theft, the SDA made clear that underpayments are still happening at alarming levels — even after wage theft was criminalised under the Fair Work Act.
The SDA highlighted that unpaid wages, penalty rates, overtime and superannuation are often deliberate, not accidental, and that young workers are especially vulnerable. The submission also points out that relying only on regulators to catch wage theft isn’t enough. The SDA is calling for stronger enforcement options, including better access to small claims processes and restoring unions’ ability to proactively check wage records and recover stolen wages – vulnerable workers shouldn’t be expected to fight alone for their lawful pay.
Fixing Super For Workers Under 18
Superannuation is supposed to be part of every worker’s pay – but many young Australian workers don’t receive it at all. Currently, workers under 18 only receive super if they work over 30 hours per week.
In our submission to the Senate inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Regulations 2026, the SDA raised serious concerns about the ongoing exclusion of many workers under 18 from receiving super, even when they work long and regular hours.
The submission explains how missing super early in your working life can translate into tens of thousands of dollars less at retirement, due to lost compounding interest over time.
This isn’t fair – super must be on every dollar, regardless of age.
Why This Work Matters
By taking evidence, worker stories and frontline realities directly to Parliament, the SDA can push for laws that actually protect workers – not just on paper, but in everyday life.
Strong workplace rights don’t happen by accident. They’re won when workers stand together – and when their union makes sure their voices are
heard when and where it counts.