A leading Australian compliance training company used surveillance software to monitor underperforming remote workers. However, its covert use of audio recording may test privacy laws in several states. Company leadership maintains the surveillance was legal and part of managing staff performance. Despite this, at least two former employees claim the recordings were invasive and led to unfair dismissal.
Safetrac, a prominent provider of compliance training for leading Australian and international firms, is now under investigation by Victorian police for possible breaches of surveillance laws. Over a two-month period, the company recorded audio and desktop activity of selected employees through enterprise monitoring software. This effectively turned company laptops into recording devices without employees being fully aware.
The software, licensed from US-based firm Teramind, was installed in mid-April. It could record screen content and microphone audio from devices used by up to 10 staff members. Safetrac states employees had agreed to monitoring policies in their contracts. However, the version in use at the time made only vague and limited references to audio recording. Staff report they did not realise their microphones were activated throughout the day and are concerned the recordings captured personal discussions with clients or family members.
Two employees who uncovered the recordings submitted formal complaints both internally and to regulators in June. Within days, they were locked out of company systems and later dismissed. One had accused the company of breaching privacy. The other had sent a message which the company considered damaging to its reputation. Both are now pursuing legal claims relating to unfair dismissal and unlawful workplace surveillance.
The incident comes as governments across Australia move to strengthen privacy laws in the workplace, especially those involving artificial intelligence and home-based staff. Victoria has already awarded compensation in one case involving Safetrac, and law reform is being urged to reflect changing work environments that blur personal and professional boundaries. Other states are also reviewing employer responsibilities regarding digital monitoring.
Legal and privacy experts argue current surveillance laws are outdated and do not adequately address recent developments in remote monitoring. While businesses may seek to monitor productivity, recording ambient audio in a home setting appears to overstep boundaries in a country where informed consent is typically required from all parties. Safetrac says it acted on legal advice and had valid reasons for the recordings. However, it has since updated its policies to increase transparency.
The company is due to attend mediation at the Fair Work Commission regarding one dismissal and says it will cooperate with authorities. Updated monitoring procedures now specify surveillance time limits and clearly outline which software is in use. This case could shape future boundaries around employer surveillance and reinforce the importance of clear employee consent.
