Australian workers have the “Right to Disconnect” outside usual hours
Laws giving employees the right to refuse employer contact outside working hours came into effect from 26 August 2024 for employees of non-small businesses (15 or more employees). The same rights will become available for small business employees from 26 August 2025.
Medical negligence claims in Queensland
When a medical practitioner or healthcare provider acts negligently in the care of their patients, it can have severe and lasting impacts on those patients. Healthcare providers in Australia must act to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their patients, because a failure to do so may cause significant physical and psychological injuries.
Applying for and obtaining AHPRA registration
To gain registration as a health practitioner in Australia, you must be granted registration by the relevant Board. There are different types of AHPRA registration – general registration, specialist registration, provisional registration, limited registration and non-practising registration.
The process of unfair dismissal claims in the Fair Work Commission
If you’ve been terminated and you believe that termination is harsh, unjust or unreasonable, you may be eligible for an unfair dismissal claim in the Fair Work Commission.
Hall Payne Lawyers appoints Juliana Virine to Principal Solicitor
We are delighted to announce the promotion of Juliana Virine to Principal Solicitor at Hall Payne Lawyers.
Juliana’s promotion reflects not only her exceptional legal expertise but also the values of persistence and compassion that define her impact on the firm and her clients over the years.
Closing Loopholes No. 2: independent contractor arrangements
From 26 August 2024, the Fair Work Act definition of “employee” has changed. The changes were made to address issues related to the classification and treatment of independent contractors, ensuring fairer work conditions and protections for such workers.
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.