Burnout, Gen Z, and FY26 Prep — Is Your Team Ready?
Workplace Burnout in 2025: Are You Seeing the Red Flags? Burnout isn’t new — but in 2025, it’s taking on new forms. With the hybrid workforce becoming the norm, digital overload increasing, and employees demanding more from their employers, workplace burnout remains one of the most pressing challenges facing businesses today. So the question is: […]
Workplace Rights in Australia: Clearing Up Common Myths
Understanding your rights and obligations at work can be confusing—especially with the amount of misinformation floating around. Whether you’re a small business owner trying to stay compliant or an employee unsure of what you’re entitled to, believing the wrong things can lead to big problems. Let’s break down some of the most common workplace myths […]
The Four-Day Work Week Debate: Australia’s Employers and Legislators at Odds
The push for a four-day work week has reignited debate in Australia, sparking a strong response from industry leaders who view the proposal as “completely unrealistic.” Andrew McKellar, Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), recently voiced strong opposition to legislating a shorter workweek, emphasising its potential negative impact on small […]
New Wage Theft Law in Australia: Commencing January 1, 2025
From January 1, 2025, Australian businesses will be required to adhere to stringent new wage compliance laws under the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023 . This legislation, focused on criminalising intentional wage theft, introduces strict penalties for employers who deliberately underpay wages or superannuation entitlements. As the compliance deadline approaches, understanding the law’s requirements […]
Essential Fair Work Changes Effective August 26, 2024: What Employers Need to Know
On August 26, 2024, significant changes to Australian workplace laws will come into effect under the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Act 2024 https://www.fairwork.gov.au/ . These amendments are designed to address various employment practices and provide greater clarity and protections for workers. Here’s a summary of the key changes: Right to Disconnect […]
11 Common Payroll Mistakes to Avoid During EOFY
The End of Financial Year (EOFY) is a critical period for businesses, requiring meticulous attention to detail, especially when it comes to payroll. Mistakes during this time can lead to compliance issues, financial penalties, and employee dissatisfaction. To help you navigate this challenging period, here are some common payroll mistakes to avoid during EOFY. Missing […]
HR Considerations for End of Financial Year
The end of the financial year (EOFY) is a crucial period for HR departments, as it involves a variety of tasks and considerations to ensure compliance, accurate reporting, and strategic planning for the upcoming year. Here are some key HR considerations for the EOFY: Compliance and Regulatory Updates Review Legislation Changes: Stay updated on any […]
New Gender Equality Reporting Mandates
In a significant stride toward bridging the gender pay divide, the introduction of the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023 marks a pivotal moment in Australian workplace legislation. This amendment to the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 brings forth a set of comprehensive new gender equality reporting mandates, aimed at […]
The Right to Disconnect: Australia’s Proposed Industrial Relations Overhaul
Are you ever caught in the dilemma of answering work emails late at night or taking calls from your boss over the weekend? You might be wondering, “Do I have the right to disconnect?” “Should I be compensated for this?” The answer could soon be clearer. The Australian federal government is actively considering updates to […]
Same Job Same Pay
In a significant move to reform employment law, cross-bench senators have recently backed the Labour government’s ambitious “Closing Loopholes” reforms. Central to these changes is the groundbreaking ‘Same Job Same Pay’ law, aimed at ensuring fair pay for all. What is the ‘Same Job Same Pay’ Law? The ‘Same Job Same Pay’ legislation empowers the […]
Compassionate and Bereavement Leave
The National Employment Standards provide all employees, including casuals, with an entitlement to compassionate and bereavement leave. Awards, enterprise agreements and other registered agreements can also provide additional entitlements to compassionate leave. When can compassionate leave be taken Employees can take compassionate leave if: a member of their immediate family or household dies, or contracts […]
Navigating Flexible Work Arrangements: Insights from a Recent Fair Work Commission Ruling
The workplace landscape is ever-evolving, and with it, the dynamics of flexible work arrangements. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) recently made a pivotal decision that underscores the delicate balance between employee needs and employer obligations under the Secure Jobs Act. This case involved an employee at Maxxia Pty Ltd, a salary packaging firm, who faced […]
Groundbreaking Compensation in Workplace Harassment Case: An Overview of the Federal Court’s Decision
In a momentous ruling that marks a significant shift in workplace harassment law, the Federal Court of Australia has awarded an unparalleled compensation amount in a case of sexual harassment. This case, identified as [Case ID: 2023] FCA 1313, is a pivotal development in the legal handling of such sensitive issues in the workplace. Case […]
Understanding the ‘Secure Jobs and Better Pay’ Act and Its Impact on Fixed-Term Employment Contracts
Introduction: The Australian workforce is on the brink of a major transformation with the next part of the ‘Secure Jobs and Better Pay’ Act (see here), set to take effect on December 6, 2023. This landmark legislation introduces significant changes to workplace laws, particularly impacting fixed-term employment contracts. In this blog, we’ll delve into what […]
Understanding the Latest Changes to Enterprise Bargaining
Previously, we shed light on the pivotal amendments made to enterprise bargaining under the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022. A standout feature of this reform was the introduction of the ‘multi-enterprise’ agreements. Fast forward to now, and we’re diving deeper into understanding the Latest Changes to Enterprise Bargaining, including: Supported […]
Fair Work Commission Upholds Rights of ‘Trial’ Employees: A Pivotal Decision for Employers
The realm of employment law witnessed a landmark verdict recently, as the Fair Work Commission decreed that a so-called ‘work trial’ candidate was, in fact, entitled to make a general protections claim under the Fair Work Act. The Case at Hand Adam Hildebrandt, previously associated with Den Café and Bar in Sydney as a café […]
Underpayment Penalty Highlights the Importance of Award and Payroll Compliance
Due to a payroll discrepancy, casual employees of two of New South Wales’ leading zoos, Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo, are entitled to receive a substantial amount of back pay. Key takeaways: Payroll irregularities led to $2.6 million in underpayments for casual staff at Taronga Zoo Approximately 586 current employees and 316 past […]
Family and Domestic Violence Leave – Payslip Compliance
A recent update from the Australian Payroll Association https://www.austpayroll.com.au/ An amendment was proposed and approved on Friday 3 February concerning the reporting of new paid family and domestic violence leave on an employee’s payslip. This alteration became effective on Saturday 4 February. Employers will need to keep a record of any leave taken and the […]
Fair Work Ombudsman 2021-22 Priorities
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker has announced the regulator’s strategic priorities for the year ahead, with the key focus supporting workplaces as they manage the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Speaking at a Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) roundtable meeting today, Ms Parker said the contract cleaning sector was a new compliance and enforcement […]
Victorian Wage Theft Legislation – 1 July, 2021
On 1 July 2021, it will become a crime for an employer in Victoria to deliberately underpay employees or dishonestly withhold employee entitlements. An employer in Victoria will be incriminated for: deliberately underpaying employees dishonestly withholding wages, superannuation or other employee entitlements falsifying employee entitlement records to gain a financial advantage failing to keep employee […]
Fair Work Commission hands down 2.5% increase
The Fair Work Commission has announced an increase of 2.5% to the National Minimum Wage, bringing it up to $772.60 per week ($20.33/hour). This increase will come into operation on the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2021 for the majority of awards. There will be a delayed increase for the industries hardest […]
The first annual reconciliation of annualised salaries under modern awards is approaching 1 March 2021
Many of you will recall the changes made to a number of modern awards on 1 March 2020. These changes placed new obligations on employers who pay an annualised salary to: Advise the employee in writing and keep a record of: What is incorporated into the annualised salary The method in which the annualised salary […]
Modern Award wage increase – 1 November 2020
You may recall that when the Fair Work Commission handed down a wage increase of 1.75% this year, they separated the modern awards into three categories: Category 1 awards – the increase came into operation on 1 July 2020 Category 2 awards – the increase comes into operation on 1 November 2020 Category 3 awards […]
Financial Budget – incentives and tax cuts
The Federal Budget has a number of incentives in place for employers to encourage job growth. This update provides an overview of the two key incentives, as well as information around the income tax cuts that came into operation on the 13th of October 2020. JobMaker Hiring Credit From 7 October 2020, eligible employers will […]
Further changes announced to JobKeeper
The stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne has seen the Australian government announce some additional amendments to the JobKeeper program. From 3 August 2020 the relevant date of employment will move from 1 March to 1 July 2020. Previously the scheme was only open to employees who were employed by the business as at 1 March […]
Victorian Pandemic Leave Payment
The Victorian Government is providing one-off payments to financially support Victorian workers, including parents and guardians, who are required to self-isolate or quarantine due to coronavirus (COVID-19). To be eligible for the one-off $1500 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Worker Support payment you must: Have been instructed by the Department of Health and Human Services to self-isolate or […]
Changes to JobKeeper Scheme from September 2020
With ongoing economic uncertainty from COVID-19, today the Australian Government announced changes to the future of the JobKeeper scheme, taking the program until March 2021. Below is an overview of the key dates and changes you should be across. Business Eligibility In order to be eligible for the JobKeeper Payment after 27 September 2020, businesses […]
Fair Work Commission Announces Annual Wage Increase of 1.75%
Every year the Fair Work Commission undertakes a review of the minimum wages in modern awards. This review considers the current economic environment, feedback from employers, unions and industry bodies as well as taking into consideration other factors such as the cost of living. This year, one of the primary factors for consideration was the […]
Updated Modern Awards
The Fair Work Commission is extensively varying existing awards as a result of the 4 yearly review of modern awards. The next round of awards that have been varied are listed below. The variations will come into operation on the 18th of June 2020. – Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2010 – Amusement, Events and Recreation […]
Casual Employees and Leave Entitlements
Court ruling that some casual employees are entitled to paid leave On Wednesday the 20th of May, the Federal Court handed down a ruling in the case of WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato [2020] FCAFC 84 In this case Robert Rossato was engaged as mine worker. He was employed by WorkPac as a casual employee for […]
