Microsoft Australia signs agreement with Australian Council of Trade Unions

Microsoft Australia and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) today announced a landmark Framework Agreement to prioritise skilling and "elevating workers’ voices" in the design, development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) across Australian workplaces.

This Australian-first agreement outlines a set of commitments and affirms the rights and protections of workplace union delegates to fulfill representative functions.

Under the Framework Agreement, Microsoft Australia and the ACTU will initially work together on three core priorities, the first being providing union leaders and workers with practical insights on AI trends and applications, including formal learning sessions led by Microsoft experts and curriculum resources.

Microsoft will be working with the ACTU Institute to develop AI training specifically for union leaders and staff to ensure they have the skills and confidence to support workers through Australia's digital transformation. 

Creating channels for workers to share experiences, insights and concerns so their perspectives help inform how AI systems are designed and deployed will also be included, as will identifying areas of mutual interest to shape responsible AI policy and expand upskilling and reskilling opportunities.

The Framework Agreement builds on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently agreed by the Australian Services Union, Professionals Australia, the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association that sets out principles recognising the rights and protections of Microsoft’s employees in Australia. 

Microsoft’s commitment to responsible use and diffusion of AI is led by its Office of Responsible AI. In Australia, this agreement with the ACTU commits the parties to consult in good faith if disputes arise and clarifies that the agreement is a statement of shared intent, ensuring open dialogue endures as technology evolves.  

“Australians deserve AI that helps people thrive,” said Steven Miller, area VP of Microsoft Australia and New Zealand.

“This agreement signals our commitment to ensure workers’ voices are at the heart of Australia’s AI transformation and no one is left out of the national opportunity this technology presents. We’re proud to come together with the ACTU to set a new standard for responsible AI diffusion across Australian workplaces,” 

The Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP, Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, said the Government welcomes this positive step between the ACTU and Microsoft.

"When businesses and unions work together it is Australians who ultimately benefit the most," he said.

The move comes as Microsoft claims to have exceeded by 30 percent its commitment to train one million Australians and New Zealanders in AI by the end of 2025 through a set of programs for workers, business leaders and communities.  

Over the coming year, Microsoft Australia and the ACTU will begin joint learning sessions, establish regular worker input mechanisms, and identify priority sectors for practical pilots that demonstrate AI’s benefits for productivity, job quality, safety and inclusion. 

The ACTU said in July 2025 that it will seek tougher regulations to guide the future roll-out of AI in workplaces, while in August it hit back at the Productivity Commission's calls for less regulation in order to drive AI adoption.