SA Unions Win The Right to Disconnect for SA & Local Government Workers
Media Release - 13/03/2026
SA Unions have secured a major commitment from the Malinauskas Labor Government if re-elected, to legislate the ‘Right to Disconnect’ for South Australia’s state-system employees.
The reform will bring public sector and local government workers in line with private sector standards, ensuring they are no longer expected to perform unpaid work after their shift ends. Under the proposed changes, workers earning under $150,000 per year will be legally protected from adverse action for refusing to respond to unreasonable out-of-hours contact.
This win follows a sustained campaign by SA Unions and the Australian Services Union to ensure South Australians working in state government and local councils have the same modern workplace rights as the rest of the country has.
Quotes attributable to SA Unions Secretary Dale Beasley:
“This is a massive win for the people who keep South Australia running. For too long, the boundary between work and home has been blurred, with workers expected to answer emails and calls at the dinner table for free.”
“SA Unions have fought hard to ensure our public sector and local government workers aren’t left behind. This isn’t just about a change in the law; it is about respect. By winning the Right to Disconnect, workers will win back their time, their mental health, and their right to a life outside of the office.”
“The Malinauskas Government has listened to the union movement. This reform recognises that whether you work in a local library or delivering public health or education services, you deserve the same rights as every other Australian worker.”
Lauren, is a project coordinator for a local council, the right to disconnect to her is about levelling the playing field, “Most Australians already have the Right to Disconnect, but those of us in local and state government were being treated like second-class citizens. My choice to serve my community shouldn’t mean I have to sacrifice my time with my family.” Lauren points out that this benefits her workplace and her community too; “When we have proper downtime, we bring our best selves back to work.”
Sarah, works in community wellbeing for a local council, for Sarah it’s about respect and expectation setting, “Everyone deserves the chance to switch off at the end of the day. It changes the expectation that we’ll always be available and recognises that we have lives, friendships, and care responsibilities that matter just as much as our jobs.”
Kate, is a landscape architect in local government, “In an era of constant connectivity and smartphones, convenience should never translate into constant availability. We need boundaries that respect our lives outside of the workplace.”
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