Can I make handwritten changes to my Will?
A Will is an important legal document that may need to be changed over your lifetime. There are many reasons why you may want to change your Will. The temptation is to simply grab a pencil and make some handwritten changes to your Will. But this may affect the validity of your Will.
New rules for fixed term employment contracts from December 2023
Fixed term employment contracts are contracts that terminate at the end of an agreed specified period. Since December 2023, changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 now ensure that fixed term employment contracts have a maximum contract period of no more than two years.
TGA guidelines for advertising cosmetic injectable treatments
On 7 March 2024, the Therapeutic Goods Administration updated their guidelines on advertising health services; specifically, the advertisement of services that involve therapeutic goods. The updated guidelines were effective immediately.
Termination of workers compensation claims Tasmania due to whole or substantial recovery
Tasmanian workers facing termination of workers' compensation weekly payments on the basis that they have “wholly and substantially recovered” from their work-related injury or illness have significant rights under the law – but strict time limits apply.
New Skills in Demand visa proposed from late 2024
One of the 8 keys actions forming part of Australia’s new Migration Strategy relates to a new visa category known as a Skills in Demand visa. The commitment to develop this new visa envisages its holders having full mobility in terms of their employment parameters and a clear pathway to permanent residence.
Can my employer use a restraint of trade to prevent me from working for a competitor?
In this blog, we focus on one particular kind of restraint, the “non-compete” covenant, which is an obligation contained within a contract of employment that expresses itself as preventing an employee from working for one or more alternative employers or a certain class of them or establishing a competing business of their own.
Anglican Church defends position in child sexual abuse case against the WACA
In court proceedings in Western Australia, the Anglican Church finds itself at the centre of a complex case involving historical child sexual abuse. Two survivors of child sexual abuse are seeking to include the Church (as a further defendant) in proceedings related to abuse they endured at the hands of an employee of the Western Australian Cricket Association.
Health practitioners’ obligations to disclose an impairment to the health regulator
When is it necessary to notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency that you or another practitioner is suffering a health impairment? We explore health practitioners’ mandatory reporting obligations to AHPRA, of an impairment and what happens once a disclosure is made.
Worker’s compensation claims for psychological injury in Tasmania
In Tasmania, workers are entitled to worker’s compensation for psychological injuries sustained in the workplace. It’s important that workers making claims for psychological injuries are aware of their rights, particularly if the claim is disputed.
Supreme Court NSW denies child sexual abuse survivor to revisit settled claim
We review a NSW Supreme Court decision to refuse the application made by a child sexual abuse survivor to set aside a deed of settlement in respect of a previously settled abuse compensation claim against Knox Grammar School.
Pay equity under the Fair Work Act - Equal Remuneration Orders
Despite significant headway in recent years in campaigns for equal pay for women, we are still some way off pay equality. In 2022, the Albanese Government took steps to expand that power in the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022. The full effect of these recent amendments has yet to be realised.
Strengthening Australian visa refusal and cancellation parameters
A new immigration Ministerial Direction (known as MI110) aimed at tightening the parameters for decision makers regarding what factors should be given weight when considering Australian visa refusals or cancellations came into effect from 21 June 2024.