Australia’s workplace watchdog the Fair Work Ombudsman has appointed Anna Booth as Fair Work Ombudsman.

Booth brings extensive experience in workplace relations to the role, including eight years as deputy president of the Fair Work Commission from 2012 to 2020. Prior to her role in the Fair Work Commission she worked with CoSolve Pty Ltd.

She returned as director of CoSolve Pty Ltd in 2020 after serving as a deputy president of the Fair Work Commission since 2012. Before then, Booth combined her CoSolve directorship with non-executive directorships of ME Bank and IFM and was the non-executive chair of Slater & Gordon Ltd.

Booth’s five-year term will begin on 1 September 2023.

Prior to that, Ms Booth was a National Secretary of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia and a Vice President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. During her work in the union movement, she came to national attention exposing sweatshop operations where predominantly migrant women workers were being exploited.

The Fair Work Ombudsman is responsible for the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s day-to-day operations and overall management of the organisation including governance, financial accountability and reporting requirements. 

Current Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker’s term will end on 14 July 2023. In the period between then and the commencement of Booth on 1 September 2023, Kristen Hannah, Deputy Fair Work Ombudsman, Policy and Communication, will be the Acting Fair Work Ombudsman.

“The role of the Fair Work Ombudsman is more important than ever as the government moves to implement a better and fairer workplace relations system for Australian workers,” Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Minister for the Arts Tony Burke said. “It includes promoting harmonious, productive and co-operative workplaces, and improving compliance in workplaces covered by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Commonwealth) and fair work instruments.”