What could the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion mean for employers?

Last week, the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion commenced, with its first public hearing on 24 February 2026.

The Royal Commission will examine four broad topics:

Antisemitic conduct in its various forms in Australian society.
The drivers of antisemitism, including ideologically and religiously motivated extremism.
Steps taken by law enforcement and security agencies to tackle antisemitic conduct, and how the response could be improved for the protection of the community.
The circumstances leading up to and surrounding the attack on 14 December 2025.

The Royal Commission, while focused on antisemitism and the Bondi attacks, also raises issues for every employer about how they are complying with their work health and safety obligations, in particular, the duty to eliminate bullying, harassment and discrimination against all persons.

Lessons from the Royal Commission will have broad-ranging impact on all employers, as they examine social cohesion, including in institutions like schools, universities and more broadly across Australian workplaces.

Although most employers in Australia will not be directly involved in the Royal Commission, it important that employers review their current anti-harassment, anti-discrimination and anti-bullying processes to ensure that they are up to date and effective in managing the risk of harm from discrimination, bullying and harassment.

TIP: The Health & Safety Handbook chapters Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Bullying can help you do this!

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