A workplace right of entry notice is a formal written notice given by a union official (entry permit holder) to an employer and occupier of premises before exercising rights of entry to a workplace. The right of entry is a fundamental union right in Australia, enabling union officials and work health and safety (WHS) representatives to access workplaces to investigate suspected breaches of employment laws, hold discussions with employees, inspect wage records, and address WHS concerns. The right of entry framework for national system employers is set out in Part 3-4 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), comprising ss481–505. WHS entry rights are separately governed by s117 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation.

The right of entry is not automatic. A union official who wishes to exercise the right must: hold a valid right of entry permit issued by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) under s487 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth); be an official of a union with 'relevant coverage' of at least one employee at the premises; and give written notice to the employer and occupier at least 24 hours (and no more than 14 days) before the proposed entry. For WHS entry, the official must hold a WHS entry permit issued by the relevant WHS regulator and comply with the procedural requirements of the applicable WHS legislation.

The right of entry notice serves important functions: it gives the employer and occupier advance notice of the entry, enabling them to prepare and accommodate the entry; it specifies the purpose of entry, which limits the scope of the permit holder's activities on-site; and it provides a written record of the notice for compliance purposes. The notice must comply strictly with the requirements of s487(2) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

The right of entry operates in parallel with, and subject to, the employer's and occupier's rights to make reasonable requests regarding health and safety, routes taken on the premises, and the location of discussions with employees.

A workplace right of entry notice is required whenever a union official or WHS entry permit holder intends to exercise their statutory right of entry to a workplace. The notice must be given before every exercise of entry rights — there is no standing authority to enter without giving advance notice.

Investigating suspected contraventions is the most substantive ground for entry under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Under s481, a permit holder may enter premises where they have a reasonable suspicion that a contravention of the Act or a fair work instrument (modern award or enterprise agreement) has occurred, is occurring, or is likely to occur. Common contraventions that trigger entry include underpayment of wages or penalty rates, failure to pay leave entitlements, breach of enterprise agreement conditions, failure to maintain proper time and wage records, and unlawful deductions from wages.

Holding discussions with employees under s484 is another key ground for entry. The permit holder may enter premises during working hours to hold discussions with employees who are, or are eligible to be, members of the relevant union, in any part of the premises (other than a part used mainly as a residence) where meals or breaks are ordinarily taken. This right is important for union officials to communicate with members, discuss workplace issues, and recruit new members.

Inspecting employee records under s483A allows a permit holder to require an employer to produce, or permit inspection of, records or documents relating to a suspected contravention. This power enables unions to verify compliance with wage rates, leave records, and other employment conditions without needing the individual employee's consent to access their own records.

WHS entry under s117 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) is required where the permit holder wishes to consult with workers about WHS matters or investigate a suspected contravention of WHS legislation. WHS concerns might include unsafe work practices, inadequate safety equipment, exposure to hazardous substances, or failure to maintain required safety documentation.

A valid workplace right of entry notice under Part 3-4 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) must contain the following key elements, as required by s487(2) of the Act.

The entry permit holder's details must be set out in full. This includes the permit holder's full name, position or role in the union, the name of the union (registered employee organisation), and the entry permit number issued by the Fair Work Commission. The permit must be current and valid at the time of entry.

The employer and occupier must be clearly identified. The notice must be addressed to both the employer (the person who employs workers at the premises) and the occupier (the person who occupies or controls the premises — these may be the same entity or different entities). Both must receive notice.

The premises must be identified with sufficient specificity. The notice must identify the premises to be entered. This should include the street address and any relevant site identification. If the notice is for a construction site or project, the site name and location should be clearly described.

The proposed day and time of entry must be stated. The entry must be proposed on a business day during working hours (s490 FW Act 2009). The 24-hour minimum notice period must be satisfied.

The purpose of entry must be clearly stated. The notice must describe the purpose of entry, including: whether it is to investigate a suspected contravention of the Fair Work Act 2009 or a fair work instrument; to hold discussions with employees; to inspect records; or to exercise WHS entry rights. Where entry is to investigate a suspected contravention, the notice must contain sufficient particulars of the suspected contravention to enable the employer to understand the basis for entry.

The relevant award or enterprise agreement should be identified. Where entry is to investigate a suspected contravention of a modern award or enterprise agreement, the name of the instrument should be included.

The permit holder must carry and produce their entry permit on request during the entry (s489 FW Act 2009). Failure to produce the permit on request may justify the employer or occupier refusing entry.