Employment lawyers advise on contracts, dismissals, entitlements and workplace disputes.
firms
394
regions
16
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They act for employees and employers across the Fair Work system and state workplace laws.
Why employment law matters
Work is central to income and wellbeing. Employment disputes move fast and time limits are short.
The Australian context
Most private sector employment is governed by the Fair Work Act 2009, the National Employment Standards and modern awards, administered by the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman. Some state public sector and WA sole trader employers remain under state systems.
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Australian Law Group provides legal services in Wynnum, QLD. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Employment Law · Business & Commercial Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: filipino
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Bairnsdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Criminal Law · Employment LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Carroll & O'Dea provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Unfair Dismissal.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Unfair Dismissal · Professional Negligence · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Employment Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Morgan Alteruthemeyer Legal Group provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Debt Recovery and Business & Commercial Law.
Building & Construction+7 moreDebt Recovery · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Employment Law · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Yarn Legal provides legal services in Broadmeadows, VIC. Listed practice areas include Employment Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Employment Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Commercial Litigation · Workers Compensation · Unfair Dismissal · Debt RecoveryNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bateman Battersby Lawyers provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Traffic Offences · Elder Law & Aged Care · Employment Law · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment
★★★★★★★★★★3.1(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Law Society of South Australia provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreFamily Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Employment Law · Building & Construction6 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: vietnamese, arabic, greek, italian, hindi
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Simon Ratcliffe Insurance Pty Ltd provides legal services in Launceston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Employment Law · Family Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Turner Freeman Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · TPD & Superannuation Claims · Employment Law · Class Actions · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTPNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consult
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
mylegal, Sunshine Coast Lawyers provides legal services in Buderim, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Bairnsdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Employment Law · Personal Injury · Child Protection & Care MattersNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consult
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
De Silva Hebron provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
De Silva Hebron provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Emery Partners provides legal services in Cessnock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Employment Law · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Farquhar Ian R & Co provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Employment Law · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Immigration & Visas · Drink & Drug DrivingNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★2.8(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Jonathan Meyer Lawyer provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Employment Law · Property & Conveyancing
★★★★★★★★★★2.8(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Jonathan Meyer Lawyer provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Employment Law · Property & Conveyancing
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Payne Law provides legal services in Cobar, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Traffic Offences+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Payne Law provides legal services in Cobar, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Traffic Offences+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Selvaggio Lawyers provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Employment Law
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Donnie Harris Law provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Employment Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Neutral Bay, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
GJA Conveyancing provides legal services in Neutral Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Debt Recovery · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: greek, french
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Riverland Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Murray Bridge, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Personal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · Employment Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Understand the next step
A practical guide to employment law
What to discuss at the first meeting
Explain whether the matter concerns a contract, pay, leave, termination or a workplace process. Identify the employer and your role so the lawyer can determine the relevant framework.
An employment issue and an injury or insurance claim may need separate instructions.
How the engagement may progress
01
Gather the contract, dates, pay records and relevant correspondence. Identify the employer’s legal name rather than only a trading name.
02
Ask which law or process applies and whether its requirements are met. Fair Work Commission unfair dismissal applications have a 21-day filing timeframe, making prompt advice important.
03
Agree how to respond, prepare for a meeting or assess a settlement. Have any release and confidentiality terms explained before signing.
Fees and the scope of work
Advice on a single document, an investigation response and ongoing representation need different estimates. Ask what negotiation and appearance work is covered.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Put the dismissal or decision date in the first enquiry. Ask whether an external deadline is running while an internal complaint is being considered.
Questions to ask a employment law adviser
Which issue and process should be assessed first?
Does the scope include negotiation or representation?
Which claim or response fits these facts?
What deadline applies and what do you need now?
Does the engagement include conciliation or a hearing?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is my employment contract enforceable?
Generally yes, but it can't provide less than the National Employment Standards or applicable award.
How long do I have to claim unfair dismissal?
An unfair dismissal application must be lodged with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of the dismissal taking effect. Late applications are only accepted in exceptional circumstances.
Can my employer change my contract?
Not without your agreement, unless the contract allows it. Changes that reduce pay or conditions below the award or agreement are generally not allowed.
