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Employment contracts.

Clear, well-drafted contracts are the foundation of a healthy working relationship. We draft, review and advise on every clause that matters — for businesses and individuals.

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Boutique Australian legal advice — clear, practical and on your side from the first call.
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How can we help?

Strong employment contracts to protect and clarify the relationship
Contract interpretation and advice on your rights and obligations
Dispute resolution services if a contractual dispute arises
Updates when duties, salary or benefits change

Why employment contracts matter

An employment contract clearly sets out and protects the relationship between employer and employee. It creates an instrument the parties can rely on if obligations are not met, and should clearly state the employment type (full-time, part-time or casual), gross pay, and other benefits and requirements.

A strong contract also contains clauses that protect the business — notice requirements that minimise workplace disruption, intellectual property assignments, and non-compete or post-termination restraint clauses preventing ex-employees from poaching clients or taking confidential information to a competitor.

How often should contracts be updated?

Update contracts whenever duties, salary structure or key terms change — and only with the mutual written agreement of both parties before changes take effect.

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Contracts built for scale

Startup set up right — from day one

We assisted a startup by preparing tailored employment contracts and independent contractor agreements. The agreements clearly set out each party’s rights and responsibilities while complying with Australian employment laws.

With compliant agreements in place, the startup could focus on growth knowing the contracts protected each party’s rights, reduced the risk of misclassification disputes and supported scalability for long-term commercial success.

Beyond minimum entitlements

A confident, well-negotiated exit

We represented an employee in the healthcare industry through a redundancy process, providing clear advice on his legal rights and entitlements. We ensured the process complied with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the applicable award, reviewed the redundancy proposal and negotiated it with the employer. He approached the process with confidence, secured an outcome beyond the minimum entitlements and transitioned out of the business with peace of mind.

Award compliance fixed

Closed exposure gaps before they became claims

A growing plumbing business sought advice after identifying potential compliance issues with modern award coverage and classifications.

We conducted a comprehensive employee entitlements review, recommended practical changes and assisted with updating employment contracts and payroll practices. This improved compliance under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and minimised exposure to employee entitlements claims.

22 weeks' pay + record cleared

28 years of service — dismissed, then vindicated

After 28 years with the same employer, our client was suddenly dismissed following allegations of misconduct without being given a fair opportunity to respond. We reviewed the employer’s disciplinary process, identified procedural shortcomings and established the reasons were not strong enough to warrant summary dismissal.

We represented him through the Fair Work Commission unfair dismissal process and negotiated with the employer. The matter settled before a final hearing — the client received 22 weeks’ pay (the cap is 26 weeks) and the termination was reclassified as a resignation to protect his future employment.

6 redundancies, zero claims

A lawful restructure with no Fair Work fallout

A construction business undergoing organisational change needed to make six positions redundant. We guided them through the consultation and redundancy processes required under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), helping to complete the restructure lawfully while reducing the risk of redundancy-related disputes.

The restructure was successful and none of the affected employees filed claims in the Fair Work Commission.

Dispute resolved pre-hearing

GP dismissal claim settled commercially

A growing business faced a general protections involving dismissal application following a complex performance management process.

We provided strategic advice, represented the business throughout the proceedings and negotiated a commercial resolution that avoided a hearing. The matter was resolved efficiently, allowing the business to focus on operations and continued growth.

Job protected

Falsely accused of hiding a criminal record

Our client, employed in the finance industry, was subjected to a disciplinary process alleging he had failed to disclose a criminal record. He had no criminal record at all.

We represented him throughout the process, demonstrated clearly to the employer that the allegation was baseless and put them on notice we would commence unfair dismissal or general protections proceedings if he were dismissed on that basis. The allegation could not be substantiated, our client remained employed and his reputation was protected.

Near-maximum bullying settlement

Two years of bullying — vindicated at commission

Our client, employed in the public sector, was subjected to relentless bullying by a senior executive for over two years, which resulted in significant psychological harm supported by medical evidence.

We advised her on her rights and represented her throughout the Industrial Relations Commission stop-bullying application. The matter settled before a final hearing with a significant financial settlement close to the maximum amount available in a stop-bullying application.

Unlawful PIP withdrawn

PIP used to punish grievances — stopped in its tracks

Our client, in the hospitality industry, exercised her legal rights by raising grievances about workplace health and safety and her pay rate. The employer retaliated by placing her on a disingenuous performance improvement plan threatening termination.

The ‘performance issues’ had never been raised before the grievances. We wrote to the employer explaining the PIP constituted unlawful adverse action under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and asked for it to be stopped.

After discussions, the PIP was withdrawn, her grievances were properly investigated and she remained in her job.