These laws mostly apply when the possibility of a strike seriously affects the public interest.
Some labor contracts make specific provisions for compulsory arbitration should the two sides fail to reach agreement through the regular system of collective bargaining.
Since 1906 Australia has enforced a system of compulsory arbitration between employers and employees.
The former Liberal Party government, led by John Howard, sought to further modify it through WorkChoices.
[2] The former Labor government, during the Rudd-Gillard era, sought to re-establish regulation surrounding compulsory arbitration of Australia's industrial relations regime through other means.