Will the 50% turnout threshold for industrial action ballots be removed?

Yes, but not immediately.

The Act includes provisions to repeal the 50% turnout threshold, which previously required at least half of eligible members to vote in a ballot for strike action to be lawful.

The Act provides for the 50% turnout threshold to be repealed, but the repeal has not yet been commenced and no commencement date has been confirmed. Once it is in force, a ballot will normally be valid if a simple majority of those voting support industrial action.

What this means for union reps

• High turnout will still be important for demonstrating support.
• However, ballots will no longer fail simply because fewer than half of eligible members voted.
• This may make it easier to win lawful mandates for action in some workplaces.