2023-06-01
Flexibility Expanded
From Tuesday 6 June 2023, more employees will be able to request flexible working arrangements, and employers will have new obligations regarding flexible work requests, including a more rigorous process of discussion, negotiation and written responses.
2023-05-29
2023 Changes to Parental Leave
From 1 July 2023, the rules for government-funded parental leave are changing to provide greater flexibility for parents to share caring responsibilities.
2022-11-17
Paid Family & Domestic Violence Leave Entitlements
On 9 November, the Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2022 received royal assent. This legislation introduces paid family and domestic violence leave to all employees as an entitlement under the National Employment Standards. Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers provides the following update for ACA members.
2022-05-09
Legal overview of WA’s WHS changes
Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers provides an overview of the new WHS laws brought into effect in WA in March 2022. Practices need to be aware that there are potentially significant changes to the way that safety in design is dealt with under the new WHS legislation.
2021-09-21
Industrial Relations – FAQs
At the ACA we are here to help you understand your industrial relations obligations. This FAQ article, prepared by Fair Work Lawyers, is designed to answer your commonly asked questions.
2021-07-06
Casual Employment – An Explainer
Tom Earls provides detailed analysis of employer obligations relating to casual engagements, and the key steps to take during the transitional window, which has the critical end date of 27 September 2021.
2021-03-30
Casual Employment Information Statement
The new Casual Employment Information Statement is now available for download. All employers are obligated to give a copy of this statement to any new casual employee employed on or after 27 March 2021.
2020-08-14
High Court Decision about Personal Leave
Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers summarises the findings of an important high court decision about personal leave accrual for ACA members.
2022-01-19
Unpaid Pandemic Leave & Annual Leave at Half Pay
The Fair Work Commission has extended the entitlement to unpaid pandemic leave and annual leave at half pay for many awards to 30 June 2022.
2020-06-04
COVID-19 & Industrial Manslaughter
By 1 July 2020, Victoria will introduce industrial manslaughter laws for the first time. At the same time, Australia continues its efforts to contain COVID-19, including significant restrictions on work and workplaces. Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers explores the issues for ACA members.
2020-05-21
Federal Court's Ruling on Casual Employment
On 20 May 2020, the full bench of the Federal Court redefined what constitutes a casual worker. Michael Corrigan digs into the detail.
2020-03-19
Coronavirus: Stand Down Considerations
Tom Earls and David Putland from Fair Work Lawyers provide an update on key considerations for employers when circumstances force them to stand down parts of their workforce.
2020-03-15
Coronavirus: Implications for Employers
With COVID-19 threatening to have significant impacts on businesses and workplaces around Australia in the coming weeks and months, Tom Earls and David Putland from Fair Work Lawyers provide insights into the complex and often competing legal concepts relating to employment.
2020-01-14
Community Service Leave
Practice owners and managers should be aware that all employees, including casuals, are entitled to community service leave to take on emergency service management activities, such as volunteering for the Country Fire Authority (CFA) or State Emergency Service (SES).
2021-03-30
Fair Work Information Statement
A new Fair Work Information Statement was released on 29 March 2021. This must be given to all new employees, as part of an employer’s responsibilities under the National Employment Standards.
2018-10-17
Long Service Leave Changes
The Victorian Government has expanded the rights of employees regarding long service leave, effective from 1 November.
2018-08-13
Legal Advice: Unpaid Internships
What are your obligations in terms of unpaid internships? Nick Ruskin from K&L Gates looks at the fine print.
2017-11-12
Employee or Contractor?
Do you understand the difference between an employee and an independent contractor, and what it means for your practice?
2021-06-02
Individual Flexibility Arrangements
Individual flexibility arrangements provide the opportunity to vary modern awards or enterprise agreements to provide flexibility in a fair and appropriate manner.
2017-10-14
What is Reasonable Management Action?
An employee usually won’t succeed in an unfair dismissal or bullying claim if the conduct of their employer is considered ‘reasonable management action’. But what does that term mean? Merilyn Speiser from Catalina Consultants investigates.
2017-08-16
Can casual workers really just ask to become permanent?
A recent Fair Work decision about the right of casual workers to request permanency has raised many questions. Merilyn Speiser from Catalina Consultants provides the answers.
2015-07-20
Reducing the Risk of General Protections Claims
The Fair Work Act 2009 contains a range of general protections available to employees against conduct that is discriminatory, unfair or unlawful. Peta Tumpey and Rae Mozejko, of TressCox Lawyers, set out what the general protections are and what employers can do to avoid claims being made in this jurisdiction.
2015-05-12
Meeting Your Obligations in Relation to Redundancy
Peta Tumpey and Katie Simon outline the steps you need to go through as an employer to ensure you meet your obligations in relation to redundancy.
2014-02-02
Fair Work Employer Checklist
Do you understand all your obligations under the national workplace relations system?
2014-01-12
Internships - Legal Advice
An employer’s legal obligations, rights and responsibilities in relation to students, work experience participants and volunteers.
2013-12-03
Your Business and the New Anti-Bullying Legislation
Michael Corrigan explains the changes to workplace laws on bullying and what you need to know.
2013-10-11
Changing Employees' Hours of Work
Managing reducing hours of work to ensure minimum stress and maximum benefit for all.
2013-07-10
Anti-bullying legislation
New anti-bullying legislation focusses on how employers respond to allegations of bullying.
2012-09-10