26 Oct 2021

New government directions expand mandatory vaccination requirements in health care sector

On 20 October 2021 the State Co-Ordinator for South Australia, Grantley Stevens, passed the Emergency Management (Healthcare Setting Workers Vaccination No 2) (Covid-19) Direction 2021 (the Direction) with immediate effect.

Hand with plastic glove holding COVID-19 vaccine bottle

28 Sep 2021

Is your business compliant with the new casual conversion obligations?

Earlier this year, new casual conversion provisions were introduced into the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). The amendments imposed a new obligation on employers to offer eligible casuals conversion to permanent employment. Paul Dugan and Kylie Dunn explain.

Hand using a touchscreen with various workplace and legal symbols showing

7 Sep 2021

Respect@Work Legislative Reform – What employers should know

On 2 September 2021, the Commonwealth Government passed the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Act 2021 (the Respect@Work Act) to amend the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FWA) and the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (SDA)...

Stock image of people gathered in a workplace, superimposed onto an image of a city scape

27 Aug 2021

Draft legislation to extend unfair contract term protections for small businesses and consumers

Exposure draft legislation has been released containing proposed amendments to extend the existing unfair contract term regime in the Australian Consumer Law and Australian Securities and Investments Act 2010 (Cth)...

Man and woman of African-american descent looking at a laptop screen together in a restaurant setting

21 Jul 2021

Workforce considerations during COVID-19 lockdowns

With the introduction of Government lockdowns right across Australia, many businesses are once again required to close their doors. One of the many difficulties that businesses are facing is how to best manage its workforce...

Group of young professionals working in an office wearing masks

16 Jul 2021

Business interruption insurance claims for COVID-19 losses may be recoverable – but further challenges remain

As discussed in our previous article, in November 2020 the New South Wales Court of Appeal determined that exclusion clauses in Australian business interruption insurance policies for pandemics referring to the Quarantine Act 1908 (Cth)...

Image of hand filling out insurance claim form with a pair of glasses sitting on the table

20 May 2021

Fair Work Commission case further highlights uncertainty of legal status of gig economy workers

Since our previous update regarding the employee versus contractor distinction (available here), the Fair Work Commission (Commission) has now determined...

Gig economy worker riding a bike on his way to make a delivery

15 Feb 2021

ACCC to permit small businesses to collectively bargain

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced late last year that it would be introducing the first class exemption for collective bargaining in early 2021, permitting small businesses...

Two women organising packages to be sent out to customers. They appear to be running a small business.

20 Nov 2020

Appeal Court decides insurers cannot reject business interruption claims for coronavirus losses

Insurance. It’s a business cost that offers protection when it’s needed most...

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