A survey with more than 2,000 business respondents across the nation has revealed concerns that the government’s proposed industrial relations changes will undermine the viability of Australian businesses.

“The survey of businesses across the ACCI network, representing every state and territory, spanning all industry sectors, sends a clear message: businesses fear that the industrial relations changes will have a detrimental effect on the health of their businesses,” ACCI chief executive officer Andrew McKellar said.

According to the survey, the proposed redefinition of casual employment has the potential to be the most damaging, with 64 per cent of respondents expecting it to have a damaging or extremely damaging impact on their operations.

Labour hire changes are also generating apprehension, with 54 per cent of respondents significantly concerned about the government’s proposal.

Similar concern was expressed for the government’s plans to increase union delegate powers and their right to entry powers, with 54 per cent of respondents indicating they thought the change would be damaging.

Nearly half of businesses expect road transport changes to be damaging, with food services (70 per cent), retail (60 per cent), and construction (59 per cent) respondents predicting significant impacts.

Changes affecting employee-like forms of work and independent contracting are also a concern, with 57 per cent of food services and 55 per cent of construction businesses anticipating adverse effects.

“The potential for these changes to trigger a widespread scale-down of operations and job losses in food services, retail, and construction is alarming,” Mr McKellar said.

In response to changes in the definition of casuals, many businesses expect to downsize or cease operations, especially retail, where 78 per cent anticipate downsizing and 10 per cent expressed concern about closure.

“We urge the Senate to put a stop to these damaging industrial relations changes,” Mr McKellar said.