Unlocking opportunity for Australian workers
Too many Australian workers are being held back by non-compete clauses.
Non-compete clauses are rules in employment contracts that stop people from taking better, higher-paying jobs. These clauses don’t just hurt workers, they slow down innovation, productivity, and growth across our economy.
The Albanese Government is taking the next step to change that. We’re consulting with workers, businesses and the broader community on reforms that will ban unfair non-compete clauses and boost competition in Australia’s job market.
By removing these barriers, we can help millions of Australians earn more, move freely between jobs, and strengthen our economy. Research shows banning non-competes could lift wages by up to $2,500 a year for a worker on median income and boost GDP by around $5 billion annually.
These reforms are part of our broader National Competition Policy agenda, including new measures to prevent wage-fixing between companies and modernise trade licensing across Australia. Together, they form a key part of the Government’s plan to make the economy fairer, more dynamic, and more productive.
Learn more about the reforms
Find out more about our previous consultations to help shape these reforms and previous announcements.
Previous consultations
- Reform to non-compete clauses and other restraints on workers (treasury.gov.au) Consultation period 25 July - 5 September 2025
- Worker non-compete clauses and other restraints (treasury.gov.au) Consultation period 4 April 2024 - 31 May 2024
Previous announcements and editorials on reforms
- Speech - The Great Unbinding: Non-Competes, Freedom and the Future of Competition - 16 September 2025
- Media Release - Consultation on reforms to non-compete clauses to boost wages and productivity - 25 July 2025
- Opinion Piece: Want to quit your job? Your contract may be keeping you prisoner - Australian Financial Review - 29 March 2025
- Speech - Free To Move – Reforming Non-Compete Clauses - 27 March 2025
- Non Compete clauses are costing workers $7 billion a year - Opinion Piece - 1 November 2024
- Non-competes are a drain on the economy and innovation - Opinion Piece - 23 July 2024
- How Monopolies Hurt the Economy - Opinion Piece - 8 June 2024
- Unenforceable And Unnecessary Non-Competes Hold Us Back - Opinion Piece - 16 April 2024
- Unshackling Innovation: Rethinking non-compete clauses for a dynamic economy - 4 April 2024