Employment Law Articles

Expert articles and practical legal guides on employment law for australian businesses.

Paying Family Members In A Small Business In 2026

Paying Family Members In A Small Business In 2026

Running a small business often becomes a family effort. Maybe your partner helps with admin, your teenager does weekend shifts, or a parent supports you with bookkeeping or deliveries. Paying family members...

10 January 2026
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Is Poaching Clients Illegal in Australia?

Is Poaching Clients Illegal in Australia?

Competition is healthy - but there’s a line between winning new business and unlawfully poaching clients. As a small business owner, you might worry about a former employee soliciting your customers, or...

10 January 2026
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Shift Time Rules in Australia for Employers

Shift Time Rules in Australia for Employers

Scheduling shift time is more than just filling a roster. As an employer, you’re balancing customer demand, staff wellbeing, and legal compliance - all while keeping costs in check. The good news...

9 January 2026
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Commission Agreement Template: How To Create One In Australia

Commission Agreement Template: How To Create One In Australia

Paying commission can be a great way to incentivise sales, grow revenue and align your team or partners with your goals. But without a clear, written commission agreement, you risk disputes about...

9 January 2026
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What Is Compassionate Leave Used For in Australia?

What Is Compassionate Leave Used For in Australia?

When someone on your team experiences a loss or a serious family health crisis, you want to be supportive and compliant. That’s where compassionate leave (also called bereavement leave) comes in. As...

9 January 2026
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Can An Employer Do That In Australia?

Can An Employer Do That In Australia?

As a small business owner, you make hundreds of decisions about your team - from rostering and leave to performance and pay. It’s normal to wonder, “Can an employer legally do this?”...

9 January 2026
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Employee Handbook PDF in Australia: What to Include and How to Create

Employee Handbook PDF in Australia: What to Include and How to Create

Hiring your first team or growing fast? An employee handbook is one of the simplest ways to set expectations, keep your business compliant and give staff the clarity they need to do...

9 January 2026
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Release of Information Consent Form in Australia

Release of Information Consent Form in Australia

As a small business, you may need to share a customer’s or employee’s information with a third party - a marketing platform, an outsourced service provider, a health professional, or even a...

9 January 2026
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Vicarious Liability for Employers in Australia

Vicarious Liability for Employers in Australia

When you hire staff, you’re not just growing your team - you’re also taking on legal responsibility for what they do at work. In Australia, employers can be held responsible for the...

9 January 2026
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How To Write A Stand Down Letter In Australia

How To Write A Stand Down Letter In Australia

As a small business owner, there are times when external events disrupt normal operations. Supply chain issues, government directions, or a sudden drop in work can mean you temporarily can’t usefully employ...

9 January 2026
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Are Uber Drivers Employees Under Australian Law?

Are Uber Drivers Employees Under Australian Law?

Rideshare work has changed the way many Australians earn an income. If you drive for Uber or run a business that engages drivers, you’ve probably asked the big question: are Uber drivers...

9 January 2026
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Resignation Date: What Employers Must Know In Australia

Resignation Date: What Employers Must Know In Australia

When a team member resigns, there are a lot of moving parts to manage - from confirming dates and handover, to calculating final pay and closing out access. A simple misunderstanding about...

9 January 2026
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Remuneration Per Annum: What It Means For Employers In Australia

Remuneration Per Annum: What It Means For Employers In Australia

When you’re hiring or reviewing pay, “remuneration per annum” comes up everywhere - in job ads, contracts and salary reviews. But what exactly should it include from an employer’s perspective, and how...

9 January 2026
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How To Start A Mechanic Business In Australia: Workshop Or Mobile

How To Start A Mechanic Business In Australia: Workshop Or Mobile

Australians rely on mechanics every day, which makes starting a mechanic business in Australia a strong opportunity if you’ve got the skills and a plan. Whether you’re launching a mobile mechanic service...

9 January 2026
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Does SEEK Salary Include Super In Australia?

Does SEEK Salary Include Super In Australia?

Writing a job ad should be simple, but small details like how you present salary can cause confusion - especially around whether the figure “includes super”. If you’re listing on SEEK, it’s...

9 January 2026
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Social, Community And Home Care Award (SCHADS) In Australia

Social, Community And Home Care Award (SCHADS) In Australia

If you run a care, community or disability support business, getting the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award) right is essential. It’s one of the most complex...

9 January 2026
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Seconding Your Employees? You Need A Secondment Agreement (2026 Updated)

Seconding Your Employees? You Need A Secondment Agreement (2026 Updated)

Secondments can be a smart way to move talent where it’s needed most - without permanently changing your team structure. Maybe you’re lending a high performer to a client for a critical...

8 January 2026
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What Is Casual Working in Australia?

What Is Casual Working in Australia?

Casual hiring can give your business the flexibility to meet peaks in demand, cover busy weekends, or test new services without committing to fixed hours. But “casual working” has a specific meaning...

8 January 2026
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Sham Contracting In Australia: What It Is And How To Spot It

Sham Contracting In Australia: What It Is And How To Spot It

If you use contractors in your small business, it’s critical to make sure they’re genuinely engaged as independent contractors - not employees in disguise. Getting this wrong can expose you to significant...

8 January 2026
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Modern Awards vs Enterprise Agreements: Which Is Best In Australia?

Modern Awards vs Enterprise Agreements: Which Is Best In Australia?

If you employ staff in Australia, you’ll run into the question sooner or later: should you rely on a modern award, or try to put an enterprise agreement in place? Both options...

8 January 2026
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Is It Illegal To Pay Cash In Hand In Australia? (2026 Updated)

Is It Illegal To Pay Cash In Hand In Australia? (2026 Updated)

Paying someone in cash can feel simple. No bank transfers, no waiting for payments to clear, and it can be convenient for short shifts or one-off jobs. But in Australia, “cash in...

8 January 2026
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A Guide To Outsourcing (2026 Updated)

A Guide To Outsourcing (2026 Updated)

Outsourcing can be one of the fastest ways to grow a small business in Australia. When you outsource well, you get specialist skills on demand, more flexibility in your costs, and time...

8 January 2026
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Why Do I Need A Phantom Share Agreement? (2026 Updated)

Why Do I Need A Phantom Share Agreement? (2026 Updated)

If you’re building a business in Australia, chances are you’ve thought about how to attract and keep great people. Maybe you want to reward a key hire, incentivise a contractor, or keep...

8 January 2026
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Breaking Down Casual Worker Laws 2021 (Updated 2026)

Breaking Down Casual Worker Laws 2021 (Updated 2026)

Casual work is a big part of how many Australian small businesses operate. It can give you flexibility during busy periods, help you manage seasonal demand, and let you build a team...

8 January 2026
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