Employment & Workplace
Employment lawyers advise on contracts, dismissals, entitlements and workplace disputes.
They act for employees and employers across the Fair Work system and state workplace laws.
Work is central to income and wellbeing. Employment disputes move fast and time limits are short.
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.
Employment Law firms in the directory
394 firms
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Cessnock, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Cessnock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Jesmond, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Jesmond, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Subiaco, WA · Perth CBD
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Subiaco, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Tuggerah, NSW · Central Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
O'connor, WA · Perth South
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in O'connor, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Hammond Legal provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Albury, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Harris Lieberman Solicitors provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Wyong, NSW · Central Coast
Houston Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Wyong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
NSW · Eastern Melbourne
Hum Law provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Yarralumla, NSW · Canberra
Lexicon Lawyers provides legal services in Yarralumla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Mooloolaba, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Mooloolaba Law provides legal services in Mooloolaba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Building & Construction and Commercial Litigation.
Mallacoota, VIC · Gippsland
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Mallacoota, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Orbost, VIC · Gippsland
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Orbost, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Lakes Entrance, VIC · Gippsland
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Lakes Entrance, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Rachel Storey & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Stanmore, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Relationships & Private Stuff provides legal services in Stanmore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Employment Law.
Seaford, SA · Adelaide Metro
Riverland Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Seaford, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Port Adelaide, SA · Adelaide Metro
Riverland Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Port Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
Ryan & Ryan Lawyers provides legal services in Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Gatton, QLD · Ipswich
Ryan & Ryan Lawyers provides legal services in Gatton, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Understand the next step
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.
Gather the contract, dates, pay records and relevant correspondence. Identify the employer’s legal name rather than only a trading name.
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.
Agree how to respond, prepare for a meeting or assess a settlement. Have any release and confidentiality terms explained before signing.
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.
Put the dismissal or decision date in the first enquiry. Ask whether an external deadline is running while an internal complaint is being considered.
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
Generally yes, but it can't provide less than the National Employment Standards or applicable award.
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.
Not without your agreement, unless the contract allows it. Changes that reduce pay or conditions below the award or agreement are generally not allowed.
