“The rapid development and proliferation of artificial intelligence has already fundamentally reshaped the Commission’s operating environment,” Furlong said.
Slower outcomes and falling user satisfaction
The FWC finalised 50,162 matters in 2025–26, more than in any previous year. Finalisations still lagged behind new work. The clearance rate fell to 93 per cent, down from 98 per cent in 2024–25.
Timeliness also slipped. In 2025–26, 69 per cent of matters were finalised within eight weeks, compared with 80 per cent the year before. The share finalised within 16 weeks fell from 95 per cent to 92 per cent. Both results still met the commission’s targets of 50 per cent and 90 per cent respectively.
Satisfaction among parties to conciliation also dropped. The positive user experience rating for dispute resolution services was 78 per cent, against a target of 75 per cent. The rating was 82 per cent for unfair dismissal parties and 62 per cent for parties in general protections dismissal matters. Employers made up 32 per cent of the 1,425 survey respondents.
The report says changes to case management made to absorb the higher workload may have contributed to the decline. Parties also had to wait longer for conciliation.