Compliant Workforce Strategies.
Navigating Australia's complex industrial relations landscape for local and international employers. Don't risk non-compliance — Australian penalties are severe.
Structuring Your Australian Workforce
Australia has one of the most highly regulated employment environments in the world. For international companies, the Fair Work Act can be a minefield. We help you structure your workforce compliantly, protecting your business from underpayment claims, unfair dismissal disputes, and regulatory enforcement.
Our employment law team works closely with our immigration and corporate practices, ensuring a holistic approach. When you sponsor overseas workers, we don't just handle the visa — we draft compliant employment contracts, ensure correct award coverage, and set up proper workplace policies.
This integrated approach is critical. A visa compliance issue that stems from an employment law breach can have cascading consequences — cancellation of sponsorship, visa refusal, and significant penalties.
⚠️ Compliance Risk Alert
Key risks for international employers in Australia:
Underpayment Claims
High RiskAustralian courts have issued penalties exceeding $500K for wage theft. Our proactive audits prevent this.
Sham Contracting
High RiskMisclassifying employees as contractors can result in back-pay claims, penalties, and superannuation liabilities.
Unfair Dismissal
Medium RiskEmployees with 6+ months service can bring claims. Proper process and documentation is essential.
General Protections
High RiskBroader than unfair dismissal — covers adverse action for exercising workplace rights. No service period required.
Employment & Workforce Services
Comprehensive employment law support to keep your business compliant and your workforce engaged.
Employment Contracts
Drafting robust contracts for executives, senior management, and award-covered employees. We ensure contracts comply with National Employment Standards (NES) and relevant Modern Awards.
Fair Work Compliance
Auditing payroll and conditions against Modern Awards to prevent underpayment claims. We conduct proactive compliance reviews that protect your business from costly enforcement action.
Policies & Handbooks
Creating comprehensive workplace policies covering sexual harassment, bullying, IT use, social media, WHS, drugs and alcohol, and flexible work arrangements.
Independent Contractor vs Employee
Advising on proper classification to avoid sham contracting risks. Recent legislative changes have made this more complex — incorrect classification can trigger significant penalties.
Termination & Redundancy
Managing exits legally and with dignity to minimize litigation risk. We advise on notice periods, redundancy entitlements, general protections, and post-employment restraints.
Enterprise Agreements
Negotiating and drafting enterprise agreements, managing the approval process with Fair Work Commission, and advising on industrial action and bargaining obligations.
Specifically Designed for Foreign Businesses
International employers face unique challenges in Australia. Our integrated approach addresses all of them.
First Hire in Australia
Setting up your employment framework from scratch — contracts, policies, payroll, and superannuation. We ensure you get it right from day one.
Sponsored Worker Compliance
Aligning employment terms with visa conditions, maintaining market salary rates, and managing sponsor obligations including record-keeping.
Workforce Scaling
As your Australian operations grow, we help you transition from contractor arrangements to full employment, establish enterprise agreements, and manage award coverage.
Proactive Compliance, Not Reactive Fixes
Compliance Audit
We review your current employment arrangements — contracts, policies, payroll, and classifications — against Australian law and identify any gaps or risks.
Remediation & Setup
We draft compliant contracts, update policies, correct any underpayments, and establish proper record-keeping and reporting systems.
Ongoing Monitoring
We provide quarterly compliance reviews, legislative update briefings, and priority access for emerging employment issues.
Don't Wait for a Fair Work Audit
Proactive compliance is always cheaper than reactive litigation. Let our employment law team review your arrangements before the regulator does.
Confidential. Proactive. Results-driven.