Employment
TerraCom’s $7.5 million penalty for whistleblower contravention
23/07/2025 In 2023 ASIC commenced proceedings against TerraCom and some of its officers for, amongst other things, contraventions of the whistleblower protection scheme in relation to whistleblower disclosures made by a previous employee. The proceedings against TerraCom were the first commenced by ASIC under the expanded corporate whistleblower protection scheme contained in the Corporations Act …
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Right to disconnect for small business employers
23/07/2025 The right to disconnect has been in operation for almost a year for many employers across Australia. From 26 August 2025 the right to disconnect will also apply to small business employers. The right to disconnect is contained in section 333M of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and has been incorporated as a …
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Important Employment Law Changes
30/06/2025 Tomorrow marks the start of a new financial year, and also number of important changes in employment laws. Probably of most significance, as it affects nearly all employees, is the superannuation percentage rate increases from 11.5% to 12%. This means employers must pay 12% of an employee’s remuneration as superannuation to an eligible superannuation …
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Breaking down the news – Federal Government’s announcement on Strengthening Child Safety in Early Education
16/06/2025 From 1 September 2025 and 1 January 2026, a number of important updates to the National Quality Framework will take effect to sharpen the focus on child safety and online protection in education and care settings. The Federal Government has announced these reforms in response to recommendations from the national child safety review. The …
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Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-2025
12/06/2025 On 3 June 2025, the Fair Work Commission announced the Annual Wage Review 2024-25 decision. The expert panel has determined the National Minimum Wage and all modern award wages will be increased by 3.5%. As a result of this increase, National Minimum Wage will be increased to $948.00 per week, based on a 38-hour …
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Employment law update: What is new in 2025?
A number of changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Fair Work Act) and fair work instruments have come into effect from 1 January 2025. These changes largely relate to pay rates and payment of other amounts owing to employees.
Does non-renewal of a fixed term contract amount to a termination of employment?
The Full Federal Court has confirmed that a fixed or maximum term contract that ends at the conclusion of its term is not necessarily a termination at the initiate of an employer. Where a fixed or maximum term contract ends in this way an employee cannot bring a claim for unfair dismissal or general protections …
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Employees provided significant compensation for hurt and distress
The Federal Court has made clear in Transport Workers Union of Australia v Qantas Airways Limited [2024] FCA 1216 that employers may be required to pay significant compensation for both economic and non-economic loss such as distress, hurt and humiliation, where that loss results from unlawful action under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW …
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Model Code of Practice
In January 2024, Safe Work Australia released a model WHS Code of Practice for Sexual and Gender-based Harassment, providing practical guidance on how to eliminate or minimise the risk of sexual and gender-based harassment at work.
Respect@Work – Sex discrimination and the positive duty
The Australian Human Rights Commission, which is responsible for investigating breaches of the new positive duty, has issued guidelines to be met by organisations to demonstrate they comply with the duty.