Right to Disconnect Policy Template | Australian Fair Work | Editable Word Pack

Most small businesses know the right to disconnect is now law. Far fewer have an actual policy for it. If after-hours messages have always been normal in your team, this is the document that sets clear expectations, on both sides, before a disagreement ever comes up.

Since 26 August 2025, employees of small businesses (under 15 staff) covered by the Fair Work Act have a protected right to refuse work contact outside their working hours, unless that refusal is unreasonable. Larger employers have had it since 26 August 2024. A written policy isn't just good practice. It shows you're meeting your obligations, and it spares you the awkward grey area of working out what "reasonable contact" means in the middle of a dispute.

This is a complete, ready-to-use pack, written in plain English and grounded in the Fair Work Act 2009. No legal jargon. Fill in a few fields, and you're done.

What's included

• Right to Disconnect Policy — the full policy, locked so staff can only type in the fill-in fields (nothing gets broken by accident)
• Manager Guidance Notes — what the right means day to day, and how to handle after-hours contact well
• Employee Acknowledgement Form — a simple sign-off so you've got a record each person has read it
• Implementation Checklist — a step-by-step list to roll the policy out properly
• How to Use guide — a one-page quick start

Five design styles, your choice

Classic, Blueprint, Light, Sage, and Minimalist. Pick the look that suits your business. The Minimalist style is completely unbranded if you'd rather it carried none of our marks.

How it works

Instant download after purchase. Open in Microsoft Word, fill in your business name and a few details, save or export to PDF, and share it with your team. Works in Word 2016 and later, Microsoft 365, and Google Docs. The policy and acknowledgement form are editable in the highlighted fields; the guidance notes and checklist are fully editable so you can tailor them.

Perfect for

Australian small business owners, managers, and team leaders who need a Fair Work right to disconnect policy without paying a consultant to write one, especially businesses where after-hours contact has crept in over time.

A quick, honest note

These are practical, professionally drafted templates built on Fair Work Act 2009 principles. They give you a defensible starting point, but they're general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, the Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au, 13 13 94) is a free first port of call.

Frequently asked questions

Is this policy compliant with Australian Fair Work laws?
Yes. It's built on the right to disconnect provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (section 333M), as amended by the Closing Loopholes reforms. It reflects the factors the Act says must be weighed when deciding whether refusing contact is reasonable.

Does the right to disconnect apply to my small business?
If you're a national system employer with fewer than 15 staff, it has applied to you since 26 August 2025. Larger employers have been covered since 26 August 2024. Either way, this pack is written to suit a small business.

What format are the files, and can I edit them?
Editable Microsoft Word documents (.docx), plus a Word template (.dotx) for the policy. The policy and acknowledgement form let you type into the highlighted fields while the rest stays locked so the layout can't be knocked out of shape. The guidance notes and checklist are fully editable. There's a one-page guide explaining exactly how.

Does this work in Word on a Mac?
Yes. It works in Microsoft Word on both Windows and Mac, in Microsoft 365, and it opens in Google Docs too.

I have no HR department. Is this still for me?
That's exactly who it's built for. It's plain English, the fields tell you what to fill in, and the checklist walks you through rolling it out. No HR background needed.

What if I need help after buying?
Email us at feedback@teamgrid.com.au and we'll point you in the right direction.

Grounded in the Fair Work Act 2009 as amended by the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Act 2024. General information only, not legal advice.