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

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...

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?”...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Workplace Dress Codes In Australia: What Employers Need To Know
Setting a workplace dress code can help your business look professional, keep people safe, and make day-to-day expectations clear. But in Australia, your dress code needs to be reasonable and lawful -...

Superannuation for Contractors: Australian Compliance & Best Practices (Updated 2026)
If you engage contractors in your business, superannuation can feel like one of those “surely this is someone else’s problem” topics - until you get an ATO query, a contractor complaint, or...

Can Employees Be Forced To Take Annual Leave? (2026 Updated)
Annual leave is meant to be a genuine break from work, not a tool to “manage” staffing issues or fix a budget blowout. But if you run a business, you’ve probably hit...

Employee Obligations in Australia: What Employers Need To Know
Hiring staff is a big milestone for any small business. It’s exciting - and it comes with clear employee obligations you need to meet under Australian law. If you understand your obligations...
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