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Employment Law Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on employment law for australian businesses.
Does Maternity Leave Count as Continuous Service? (Australia)
If you employ staff, parental leave is one of those issues that can feel straightforward until you have to calculate an entitlement, a notice period, or redundancy pay. A common question we...
1 April 2026
Awards And Agreements: Understanding Employer Obligations In Australia
If you employ staff (or you’re about to), getting your head around awards and agreements is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your business. In practice, awards...
1 April 2026
Managing Staff Absences And Leave At Work In Australia
Staff absences can feel like a minor issue when they happen occasionally, but they can quickly turn into a major operational and legal headache when they become regular (or happen without warning)....
1 April 2026
Awards And Enterprise Agreements: Key Differences For Employers In Australia
If you employ staff in Australia (or you’re about to), you’ve probably heard the terms modern award and enterprise agreement thrown around - often in the same breath, and often with a...
31 March 2026
Carer’s Leave Certificate Examples For Australian Employers
Carer’s leave is one of those workplace issues that often seems straightforward - until you’re the one managing the roster, the payroll, and a staff member’s absence that comes with little (or...
31 March 2026
Duty Holder: Legal Obligations for Australian Businesses
If you run a business in Australia, you’ve probably heard the term “duty holder” in the context of workplace safety, compliance, and risk management. But what does it mean to be a...
31 March 2026
How To Transition Casual Or Part-Time To Full-Time In Australia
This article is general information only and doesn’t take into account your specific circumstances. Awards, enterprise agreements and the National Employment Standards (NES) can change what you can (and must) do, so...
31 March 2026
Working On Public Holidays: Employer Obligations And Pay Rates
Public holidays can be great for revenue (think hospitality, retail, tourism and essential services). But they can also be a compliance headache if you’re juggling staffing shortages, penalty rates, last-minute roster changes...
31 March 2026
Domestic Or Other Pressing Necessity: Meaning For Employee Absences
Note: This article provides general information for Australian employers and isn’t legal advice. Leave entitlements can vary depending on the National Employment Standards (NES), any applicable modern award or enterprise agreement, and...
31 March 2026
Vesting Cliff: Key Considerations For Startups, Founders And Employees
When you’re building a startup, equity can be one of the most powerful tools you have. It can help you attract talented people before you can pay “big business” salaries, align your...
31 March 2026
How Much Sick Leave Per Year Can Australian Employees Take?
If you employ staff, questions about sick leave in a year come up all the time - especially when you’re trying to keep a small business running smoothly while also supporting your...
30 March 2026
8-Hour Shift Break Entitlements And Employer Compliance In Australia
As a small business owner, rostering an 8-hour shift can feel like the “standard” option - long enough to cover the busiest parts of the day, but not so long that fatigue...
30 March 2026
Australian Record-Keeping Retention Periods: How Long To Keep Documents
Running a small business means you’re constantly creating (and receiving) paperwork: invoices, employee records, contracts, customer messages, bank statements, screenshots, CCTV footage, and more. At some point, the question becomes practical as...
30 March 2026
Not-For-Profit Salary Sacrifice Amounts: Employer And Employee Rules
If you run a not‑for‑profit (NFP) organisation, you’ve probably heard that salary sacrificing (also called salary packaging) can help you attract and retain great people - without necessarily increasing your cash salary...
30 March 2026
Minimum Hours For Casual Hospitality Staff In Australia
If you run a café, bar, restaurant, catering business or pub, you already know hospitality staffing is rarely “set and forget”. Trade changes with the weather, weekends can be unpredictable, and last-minute...
30 March 2026
Can Employees Use Annual Leave For Sick Leave?
When you’re running a small business or startup, leave requests can feel like a constant balancing act. On the one hand, you want to support your team when they’re unwell. On the...
30 March 2026
Maternity Leave: What Australian Employers Need To Know
If one of your employees tells you they’re pregnant (or their partner is pregnant), it’s often a genuinely happy moment for your team - and it can also trigger a long list...
29 March 2026
No-Show Fees: Setting, Enforcing And Communicating Them Legally In Australia
If you run a service-based small business, no-shows can be more than just frustrating - they can seriously impact your cash flow, staff rostering, and day-to-day operations. Whether you’re a clinic, salon,...
29 March 2026
Employment Deed of Release: What Employers Need To Know When Ending Employment
Ending employment is one of those parts of running a business that can feel surprisingly high-stakes - even when you’re trying to do the right thing. You might be dealing with a...
29 March 2026SCHADS Award Redundancy: Employer Requirements For 2023
Redundancy is one of the toughest parts of running a small business in the community services space. Even when you’ve done everything “right”, it can still feel personal - because your team...
28 March 2026
Managing Former Employee Risks: Confidential Info, IP & Access
When someone leaves your business, it’s easy to focus on the practicalities: final pay, handing over projects, returning keys, and moving on. But for many small businesses, the bigger risk sits quietly...
28 March 2026
How To Hire Employees In Australia: Legal Steps For Startups And SMEs
Hiring your first (or next) team member is a big moment for any startup or small business. It usually means your business is growing - but it also means you’re stepping into...
28 March 2026
Unfair Dismissal vs General Protections: What Employers Need To Know
Terminating someone’s employment is one of the most legally risky things you’ll do as an employer. Even when you’re confident you’ve acted fairly, a former employee may still lodge a claim. In...
28 March 2026
Unlawful Termination In Australia: Risk Reduction For Small Businesses
Ending someone’s employment is one of the highest-risk decisions you’ll make as an employer. Even when you have genuine performance, conduct, or operational reasons, a termination can quickly turn into a legal...
27 March 2026
Risks And Legal Pitfalls Of Casual Employment In Australia
Casual employment can feel like the “easy” hiring option when you’re busy, growing, or dealing with unpredictable demand. You can roster people up and down, fill gaps quickly, and (in theory) avoid...
27 March 2026
Fair Work Warning Letter: Process, Legal Risks & Best Practice
Giving an employee a warning is one of those management tasks that can feel deceptively simple. You might think: “I’ll just put it in writing so it’s clear.” But if the situation...
27 March 2026
How To Witness Documents In Australia
If you run a small business, you’ll probably sign a lot of documents - customer contracts, supplier agreements, shareholder paperwork, leases, employment documents, and (sometimes) deeds. In many cases, you can sign...
27 March 2026
Can Employees Use A Statutory Declaration Instead Of A Medical Certificate?
When one of your team calls in sick, the next question often isn’t about rostering - it’s about evidence. Many small business owners ask the same thing: can an employee provide a...
27 March 2026
Managing a Drunk Employee at Work: Legal Risks and Fair Dismissal Steps
Finding (or suspecting) that an employee is intoxicated or drunk at work is one of those situations that can throw even experienced business owners off. You’re balancing safety, fairness, your other staff’s...
26 March 2026
Subcontractor Definition In Australia: What It Means For Your Business
If you run a small business, there’s a good chance you’ve either engaged subcontractors already or you’re thinking about it. Maybe you’ve landed a big job and need extra hands. Maybe you’re...
26 March 2026
How To Implement A Performance Improvement Plan In Australia
When someone on your team isn’t meeting expectations, it can feel like you’re stuck between two bad options: tolerate the issue and hope it improves, or move quickly to termination and risk...
26 March 2026
Why Casuals Get Paid More: Casual Loading Explained
If you run a small business, casual employment can feel like a practical way to stay flexible. You can roster up during busy periods, cover unexpected leave, and bring in help for...
25 March 2026
How To Write An Unsuccessful Probation Letter In Australia
Probation periods can be a really useful tool for small businesses. They give you time to confirm whether a new hire is the right fit, and they give your employee a chance...
25 March 2026
Employment Relationship: What Australian Businesses Need To Know
Hiring your first team member (or scaling from one to ten) is a big milestone. But for many startups and small businesses, it’s also the point where things get legally “real” -...
25 March 2026
How Many Modern Awards Are There In Australia, And Which Applies?
If you employ staff (or you’re about to), you’ve probably heard someone say: “Make sure you’re paying under the right Award.” That advice is spot on - but for many small business...
25 March 2026
Shift Loading Rates in Australia: What Employers Need to Know
If your business operates outside a standard Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 pattern, shift loadings can quickly become one of your biggest payroll variables. Whether you’re running a café with weekend trade, a growing healthcare...
25 March 2026
Legal Checklist: Hiring And Managing A Real Estate Receptionist In Australia
A great real estate receptionist can be the difference between a busy front desk that runs smoothly and one that becomes a bottleneck for your whole agency. They’re often the first voice...
24 March 2026
NSW Long Service Leave: What Employers Need To Know About Casuals
Long service leave (LSL) is one of those employment obligations that can feel “set and forget” - until a long-term team member asks about it, resigns, or you’re reviewing payroll and realise...
24 March 2026
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy: Key Requirements In Australia
When you’re running a small business, it can feel like you’re wearing every hat at once - sales, ops, hiring, payroll, customer complaints and everything in between. In the middle of all...
23 March 2026
Employee Entitlements When Selling a Business In Australia
Selling a business is a big milestone. You’re negotiating price, stock, leases, handover arrangements, and sometimes finance. But for many small businesses, one of the most sensitive (and easy to underestimate) parts...
23 March 2026
How To Make An Employee Redundant In Australia
Even in a growing business, there are times when you need to change your structure, reduce costs, or stop offering a particular service. If that change means you no longer need a...
23 March 2026
Goodwill In Business: Meaning, Valuation & Why It Matters
If you’ve ever heard someone say a business is “worth more than its equipment and stock”, they’re usually talking about goodwill . For many Australian small businesses, goodwill is the difference between...
23 March 2026
What Does Industrial Action Mean In Australia?
If you employ staff, sooner or later you may hear the words “industrial action” in a workplace context. It can be unsettling - especially if you’re running a small business where one...
23 March 2026
Casual Employee Termination Letter: Employer Guide (Australia)
Ending a casual employment relationship can feel straightforward - but it’s still a legal process, and it’s still a “people” process. As a small business owner, you’re usually trying to balance three...
22 March 2026
Do Casual Employees Need A Separation Certificate?
When a casual employee leaves your business (or you end their engagement), it’s common to get a message along the lines of: “Can you send me a separation certificate?” For many small...
22 March 2026
Directors Resolution Template: How To Draft A Compliant Board Resolution
When you’re running a company, there are plenty of moments where you can’t (and shouldn’t) rely on “quick verbal approvals” or a casual message in a group chat. In Australia, directors are...
22 March 2026
Part-Time Employment Contract Template in Australia: Drafting for Employers
Hiring part-time staff can be a smart way to grow your business without taking on the cost and commitment of full-time headcount. But there’s a catch: if the paperwork doesn’t match how...
22 March 2026
Are Unpaid Work Trials Legal in Australia?
Work trials can feel like a practical way to hire with confidence. You get to see how someone communicates with customers, whether they can actually use your systems, and how they fit...
21 March 2026
What Is Casual Employment In Australia?
If you’re hiring for the first time (or scaling quickly), casual employment can feel like the obvious choice. It’s flexible, it helps you manage variable demand, and it can be a great...
21 March 2026
Casual Employment Contract Template (NSW): Required Clauses
If you run a small business in NSW, hiring casual staff can be a practical way to cover peak periods, manage seasonal demand, or build a flexible team while you grow. But...
21 March 2026
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