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
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Preston Law Cairns provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Balcatta, WA · Perth North
Allen & Jasnic Lawyers provides legal services in Balcatta, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Manly, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Manly, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
MKI Legal provides legal services in East Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Employment Law, Business & Commercial Law and Unfair Dismissal.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Riverland Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Loganholme, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Paradise Law provides legal services in Loganholme, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Employment Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
MV Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Richmond, NSW · Western Sydney
Cathy Stevenson & Associates provides legal services in Richmond, NSW. Listed practice areas include General Practice (regional generalist), Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Farquhar Ian R & Co provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Brisbane, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Caxton Community Legal Centre provides legal services in Brisbane, QLD. Listed practice areas include Human Rights & Discrimination, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Elder Law & Aged Care.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Gilshenan & Luton Legal Practice provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Coronial Inquests and Criminal Law.
Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Hills Solicitors provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
Paradise Law provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Employment Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Corsetti Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Argon Law | Commercial Lawyers Sunshine Coast provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
Indian Law Expert provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Biggera Waters, QLD · Gold Coast
Prosper Law provides legal services in Biggera Waters, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Employment Law and Contract Law.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Chamberlains Law Firm provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Class Actions.
Pialba, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
McDuff & Guilfoyle Lawyers provides legal services in Pialba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Commercial Litigation.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Turner Freeman Lawyers provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Toorak, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
LGM Advisors provides legal services in Toorak, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Contract Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Foye Legal provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Traffic Offences and Personal Injury.
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.
