We often get asked by clients if they can ‘trial’ a new employee before confirming their employment. We're also approached by clients wanting to put on an unpaid intern. It's usually framed that it will be an outstanding opportunity for the potential intern to gather real life work experience. We have a bit to say […]
Back in the day, the year used to tick along at a fairly predictable pace. Christmas happened when the tinsel appeared in shop windows, and someone inevitably burnt their feet running across the driveway to bring the metal bins in. A few months later the local bakery would suddenly be stacked with proper hot cross […]
Last month saw a ruling in the case against Woolworths and Coles alleged underpayments. While the lengthy ruling specifically related to the construction of the General Retail Industry Award, Justice Nye Perram’s ruling will have broad application as he made two very important findings which are likely to be read as to be applied across […]
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) might seem like corporate buzzwords that get thrown around but in reality, they’re good business. Whether you’re running a construction crew, a dental practice, a manufacturing plant or a boutique winery, creating a workplace where people feel respected and included leads to stronger teams and better outcomes. What is diversity? Diversity […]
Psychosocial hazards seem to be receiving a lot of attention – but why? The easy answer is that there is change to Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) laws and in particular, the Commonwealth Code of Practice on managing psychosocial hazards at work that took effect on 1st April 2023. Let’s dive in and take a […]
From January 1, 2025, Australia implemented new criminal wages theft legislation under the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023. The legislation makes it a crime to intentionally underpay an employee. Even though most employers are committed to doing the right thing, these changes mirror the government's zero-tolerance policy towards deliberate exploitation of wages—and […]
Retirement might feel like a distant concept when you're knee-deep in work priorities and still paying school fees, but for a growing part of your workforce, it’s right around the corner. And here’s the thing: it’s a big transition for both the employee and your business. Handled well, supporting employees towards retirement can strengthen your […]
Recent Victorian Supreme Court decisions have significantly broadened the scope of portable long service leave (PLSL) obligations in the state - impacting employers across a wide range of industries: you may now be required to contribute to a portable leave scheme, even if you’re not traditionally considered part of the construction sector. What is portable […]
Last updated: April 2026 A lot of businesses include non-compete clauses in Australia in their contracts because it feels like the right thing to do. It sounds sensible. Someone leaves; they don’t take your clients or walk straight into a competitor. But here’s the reality… they have always been notoriously difficult to enforce, and on […]
An employee has just approached you with a request to ‘cash out’ a portion of their annual leave. Roger doesn’t want to take the time off – he just wants the cold, hard cash in this instance. He’s got seven weeks up his sleeve and he’s requested to cash out one week of his accrued […]
