Safe workplaces are critical to Australians' financial futures: Rest welcomes proposed Victorian reforms

Rest, one of Australia’s largest profit-to-member super funds, welcomes proposed legislation to establish a Workplace Protection Order scheme in Victoria, as an important step to improve safety for frontline workers.

The proposed legislation would give courts the power to ban or restrict people from workplaces for up to 12 months where they have engaged in unacceptable conduct towards workers. It is similar to other schemes in the ACT and South Australia.

Rest General Manager, Public Policy & Advocacy, Enrico Burgio, says that workplace safety is non-negotiable.

"Many of Rest’s members work in retail and fast food – industries that are vital to keep communities running, but too often these workers face customer abuse, aggression, threats and violence simply for doing their jobs. That is unacceptable,” Mr Burgio says.

“When workers experience this kind of abuse and violence, the impacts can extend well beyond a single incident — affecting their health, wellbeing and ability to stay in the workforce. That can also mean less income, fewer super contributions and poorer retirement outcomes over time.

“A secure retirement is built across a person’s working life. Being able to work safely, earn an income and receive regular super contributions are foundations of long-term financial security in retirement.

“It’s simple: you can’t build a secure retirement if you can’t participate safely in work.

"Rest welcomes the Victorian Government's action on this issue. We encourage all States and Territories to continue to uplift and harmonise measures to create safer workplaces for retail workers, and acknowledge the work already undertaken by other jurisdictions in relation to Workplace Protection Orders.”

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA) member research found 58% of workers who experienced customer abuse and violence said work became more stressful after returning to work as usual, while 15% considered quitting. Burnout was the third highest mental or physical impact reported by workers who experienced customer abuse, after stress and anxiety, affecting 44% of workers. ¹

Rest acknowledges the important work of the SDA and the Australian Retail Council (ARC), who have both long advocated for stronger protections for frontline retail workers.

¹ SDA member research, Customer Abuse and Violence Report 2025, published December 2025.