DEEWR is responsible for managing Australia’s relationship with multilateral bodies to the extent that they cover international labour issues, including the International Labour Organisation.
Engagement with the International Labour Organisation
Australia is a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a specialised agency of the United Nations. On behalf of the Australian Government, DEEWR is responsible for managing Australia’s relationship with the ILO. This includes meeting commitments under relevant international labour standards, progressing ratification of nominated ILO Conventions as well as overseeing Australia’s technical aid assistance to ILO activities in the Asia Pacific region. DEEWR also develops policy positions on issues arising in the ILO and represents Australia at key ILO forums, including the annual International Labour Conference.
As a member of the ILO, the Australian Government is required to prepare ongoing reports of Commonwealth, state and territory law and practice against international labour standards to the ILO.
For further information on international labour standards, please visit NORMLEX.
Recent significant achievements include:
- Australia elected as Chair of the ILO Governing Body
Australia was unanimously elected as the Chair of the Governing Body of the ILO at the 100th International Labour Conference in June 2011. Mr Greg Vines holds this position for a 12 month term.
- Ratification of ILO Conventions
Australia has recently ratified the following ILO Conventions:
- Asbestos Convention 1986 (No.162)
- Part-time Work Convention 1994 (No.175)
- Protocol of 2002 to the Occupational Health and Safety Convention 1981 (No.155)
- Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (No.186)
- Australian Government-ILO Partnership Agreement 2010-2015
The Australia-ILO Partnership Agreement aims to promote sustainable employment and decent work in the Asia-Pacific Region. The Agreement provides $15 million in funding for 2010-12 to the following five projects:
- The Better Work Programme,
- Global Jobs Pact Framework for Labour Market Governance and Migration,
- Green Jobs in Asia
- Youth Employment Promotion Programme in Timor-Leste, and
- Pacific Growth and Employment.
- Australia Government-ILO Partnership Agreement 2010-2015: (
PDF 595KB | 
RTF 165KB)
For further information on the Agreement, please visit the ILO.
Submission Report on Domestic Workers Convention and Recommendation Tabled in Parliament
The ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) and Domestic Workers Recommendation, 2011 (No. 201) were adopted by the 100th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) held in 2011. As a member of the ILO, Australia is required to submit the texts of these instruments to the Parliament of Australia within 12 months of their adoption at the ILC. The Australian Government has fulfilled this obligation in the form of a Submission Report tabled in both Houses of Parliament on 9 May 2012.
- Submission Report on the ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) and Domestic Workers Recommendation, 2011 (No. 201): (PDF 257KB |
DOCX 50KB)
Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement
In 2005, the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement came into force. For further information, please visit DFAT.
Information on the Labour Chapter: (PDF 280KB | RTF 42KB)