Unions expect a workplace sexual harassment bill will send a "clear" message that unequal treatment at work is unacceptable.
Federal parliament is due to consider the government's Costs Protection Bill which will prevent federal courts from ordering victims to pay their opponent's legal fees.
Legal costs are a significant barrier for many victims of workplace harassment and it means that perpetrators are rarely held accountable.
According to research from the Australian Council of Trade Unions, only one in every 230,000 victims end up bringing their case to court with many fearing the legal costs could leave them bankrupt.
Anonymous examples put forward by the peak union body include a graduate student who said she was made redundant from her job after rejecting unwanted advances from the company's founder.
Another said she was called in for a performance review after making formal complaints about sexual comments from her co-workers.
Both women sought legal advice but chose not to pursue their cases due to the costs involved.
The reform is a massive step forward in holding perpetrators accountable, ACTU president Michele O’Neil said.
“The lack of certainty around costs means that, even when they win, there is no guarantee a victim-survivor's costs will be covered," Ms O'Neil said.
"By removing this barrier, low-income and vulnerable workers will be empowered to seek justice for encountering workplace sexual harassment.”
If passed, the bill will affect all Commonwealth sexual harassment and anti-discrimination laws.
