The Employment Relations Amendment Bill passed its second reading on 10 February 2026, with the third reading commencing this week. The Bill, if passed, will become law once it has received Royal assent, likely within a week of the third reading.
We have previously summarised the changes in the Bill here and here.
The majority of amendments will come into force immediately, noting in particular:
- The new contractor “gateway” test
- Changes to remedies and contributing behaviour
- Changes to the 30 day rule.
While the new provisions that apply to high income earners will apply to new employees immediately, they generally will not apply to existing employees for 12 months following the Bill entering into law. The parties may however agree in writing that these provisions will apply earlier, or that they do not apply on an ongoing basis.
Keep an eye out for further communications as we continue to provide updates and share insights on the changes.
