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Employment Law Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on employment law for australian businesses.
Should You Use A Free Contractor Agreement Template? (2026 Updated)
Hiring contractors can be a great way to grow your business without immediately taking on the ongoing commitments that come with employees. But once you start looking for a contractor agreement, it’s...
15 January 2026
Sexual Harassment Laws In Australia: What Employers Must Do In 2026
Sexual harassment is one of those workplace risks that can escalate quickly if you don’t have the right systems in place. In 2026, Australian employers are expected to do more than react...
15 January 2026
When You Must Pay Superannuation To Contractors In Australia
If you run a small business in Australia, chances are you engage contractors at some point - whether it’s a tradie on a job, a freelance designer, a delivery driver, a cleaner,...
15 January 2026
Probation Meaning: Probationary Periods Under Australian Employment Law
Hiring someone new is a big step for any small business. You’re investing time, money and trust - and you’re hoping the person you’ve chosen will be the right fit for the...
15 January 2026
When To Hire An Employment Lawyer In Sydney: Key Signs For Employers
Hiring your first employee (or your fiftieth) can be a huge milestone. It can also be one of the fastest ways for a growing business to pick up legal risk without realising...
15 January 2026
HRM Explained: Human Resource Management In Australia
When you’re building a startup or running a small business, “HR” can feel like something only big companies need to worry about. But HRM (human resource management) is really just the way...
15 January 2026
OHS Vs WHS: Key Differences And Legal Duties In Australia
If you run a small business in Australia, you’ve probably heard people use the terms “OHS” and “WHS” interchangeably. Sometimes it’s in a tender document. Sometimes it’s in a client’s supplier onboarding...
15 January 2026
Sunday Penalty Rates In Australia: What Employers Need To Know
Sunday trade can be a big win for a small business. You might capture weekend foot traffic, take online orders when competitors pause, or run a lean roster that suits your busiest...
15 January 2026
Net Vs Gross Income: Understanding Pay, Tax And Payroll
When you’re running a small business, “income” can mean a few different things depending on who you’re talking to. Your accountant might be thinking about your business income. Your payroll software might...
15 January 2026
Solicitor Vs Lawyer In Australia: Key Differences Explained
If you’re running a small business, it’s only a matter of time before you hit a “legal” moment. Maybe a customer refuses to pay. Maybe you’re hiring your first employee. Maybe you’re...
15 January 2026
Time in Lieu (TOIL) in Australia: Entitlements, Calculations and Payouts
Time off in lieu (often shortened to “TOIL”) can be a practical way to manage busy periods without blowing out payroll costs - especially if your business has seasonal peaks, client deadlines,...
15 January 2026
Maternity And Paternity Leave In WA: Employer Obligations
If you employ staff in Western Australia, chances are you’ll deal with a parental leave request at some point - whether that’s maternity leave in WA, paternity/partner leave, or adoption-related leave. For...
14 January 2026
Procedural Fairness In Australia: Fair Investigations And Discipline
When an employee issue lands on your desk, it can quickly turn from an awkward conversation into a high-risk legal problem. Whether you’re dealing with suspected misconduct, a performance problem, or a...
14 January 2026
Non-Compete Clauses In Australia: What Employers Need To Know
If you’re building a small business or startup, you’ve probably invested serious time (and money) into your ideas, customer relationships, pricing, systems and people. So when a key employee leaves, it’s natural...
14 January 2026
Compassionate Leave Entitlements And Paid Days Off For Employers
When someone in your team experiences a death in the family, a serious illness, or a stillbirth or miscarriage, the last thing they need is a confusing back-and-forth about whether they can...
14 January 2026
Phantom Share Option Plans – 6 Things You Need To Know (2026 Updated)
Giving your best people a genuine “stake” in the business can be a powerful way to retain talent, align incentives, and keep everyone focused on growth. But for many Australian businesses, issuing...
14 January 2026Can Employees Be Forced To Take A COVID-19 Test? What To Do If Staff Have Flu-Like Symptoms (2026 Updated)
Even in 2026, COVID-19 hasn’t fully disappeared from Australian workplaces. What has changed is how we manage it: most industries are no longer operating under “one-size-fits-all” public health directions, and many businesses...
14 January 2026
What Does Fair Work Australia Say About Work Breaks? (2026 Updated)
Work breaks seem simple until you’re the one building rosters, covering shifts, and trying to keep a team happy (and productive) without accidentally breaching workplace laws. In Australia, “Fair Work Australia” is...
14 January 2026
Employee Separation Certificate: Centrelink Requirements For Employers
If you employ staff, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked for an employee separation certificate at some point - often at short notice, and usually right after an employment relationship ends....
14 January 2026
Wage Theft In Australia: What Employers Need To Know
If you run a small business or you’re building a startup, payroll can feel like one of those “set and forget” tasks - until it suddenly isn’t. In Australia, wage theft is...
14 January 2026
Fixed‑Term Contracts: Meaning, When to Use Them and Legal Risks in Australia
If you’re hiring in a small business, there’s a good chance you’ve come across the term “fixed‑term contract” and wondered whether it’s the right fit for your next role. On paper, fixed‑term...
14 January 2026
Sunday Casual Rates: What Employers Must Pay And How To Calculate Them
Running a small business often means weekend trade is where you make (or break) your week. But Sundays can also be where payroll gets confusing fast - especially when you’re rostering casual...
14 January 2026
Casual Employment In Australia: What Employers Need To Know
If you run a small business in Australia, hiring casual staff can feel like the most flexible way to build your team. You can cover busy periods, trial new roles, and scale...
14 January 2026
Employment Law in Australia: 2026 Update
Employment law in Australia doesn’t stand still. Award conditions get interpreted in new ways, the Fair Work Commission updates key settings (like minimum wages), and workplaces keep changing with technology, hybrid work,...
13 January 2026
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