From November 2025, new protections introduced under Baby Priya’s Law affect businesses that offer employer-funded paid parental leave in addition to the Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme. Before looking at these recent changes, it is important to understand the difference between government-funded parental leave and employer-funded parental leave, because Baby Priya’s Law only applies to one of them.

Hiring someone new is an investment. It costs time, money, and energy. A probation period gives you space to assess whether the role is the right fit, and whether the person is the right fit for your business. But probation doesn’t necessarily mean 'risk free'. In this article, we'll look at what to be aware of, and how to manage probation periods properly...

If you employ staff, you've no doubt heard of 'Modern Awards'. Awards aren’t optional. They sit underneath almost every employment contract, and dictate the minimum pay, entitlements, hours, allowances, breaks, overtime, consultation rules and termination notice that legally apply to your team. And yet, award classification is one of the most common areas where small business owners slip up. Not because they’re careless, but because the system is genuinely complex. With over

Most small business owners are juggling a million things at once and don’t have time to wade through HR laws, awards, contracts, and compliance rules (that's what we're here for..!) But once a year, it’s worth doing a quick pulse check on your HR foundations. Not a full audit or a day-long review. Just a simple 15-minute check that flags the gaps that are most likely to cause problems later. This quick mini health check helps you spot risks early, and tidy things up before th

Hiring someone for a limited time? You have probably heard about fixed-term contracts  and maximum-term contracts . The two sound very similar, but it's important to understand the differences. Both set an end date, but they work differently. In short, with a fixed-term, the end is locked in; with a maximum-term, there’s flexibility to finish sooner if needed. Let’s have a look at the differences in more detail. What’s the Difference? Fixed Term Contracts: End on a specified

HR should make running your business easier - not add more stress. Yet for many small businesses, HR becomes that “to-do later” task that sits in the background, creating uncertainty, frustration, and risk. Good HR support can change that. When HR is clear, practical, and aligned with how your business actually works, everything becomes easier: communication, performance, recruitment, compliance, culture, and day-to-day operations. That’s what we bring to the businesses we pa

Just one uncomfortable joke, one inappropriate comment, or one ignored concern. It could easily happen in so many workplaces, and that’s all it takes for a safe, respectful workplace to become a legal and cultural risk. The new positive duty laws mean employers can no longer wait for a complaint before taking action. You now have a legal obligation  to prevent sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation before they happen . If you employ people, whether it’s a team o

When an employee suddenly resigns or you need to let someone go, one of the first questions that comes up is: 'How much notice should be given?' Notice periods can feel confusing, especially when you’re juggling contracts, awards, and the Fair Work Act. But once you understand the rules and how to apply them, they can help you manage staff transitions smoothly and fairly. In this article, we’ll look at: What a notice period actually is Statutory notice periods under the Natio

Expired qualifications and licences such as driver’s licences, forklift tickets, trade tickets, Working with Children Checks, or Working with Vulnerable People checks aren’t just admin oversights - they’re potential WHS and legal risks to your business. If someone drives a company vehicle, operates a forklift, or works with kids or vulnerable people without a valid clearance, your business could face: Regulatory penalties  or fines for non-compliance. Insurance issues  if an

Deciding whether to pay employees an hourly rate or an annual salary  is one of the biggest pay structure questions for business owners....

Paying your staff isn’t as straightforward as choosing a rate that 'feels fair' and adding a little extra for overtime. As with most...

Recently a local business owner who runs a small marketing agency told me during a meeting, “ I’ve never used written contracts. Just a...

You’ve built a great team, but there’s one person who just isn’t keeping up. You’re not ready to let them go, but you know things can’t...

Most business owners don’t think about HR until they’re tied up dealing with a staff issue they didn’t see coming.  Whether it’s someone not pulling their weight, a tricky dismissal, or confusion about entitlements, people problems can chew up your time and leave you feeling unsure about what you can  and can’t  do. HR is not just about policies or paperwork. Good HR support helps you stay compliant, avoid Fair Work encounters and costly legal issues, lift performance, and cr

A logistics business recently learned the hard way that having a policy isn’t the same as being able to use it. After an employee...

Let’s face it, sick days are unfortunately part of running a business. Whether it’s a cold, the flu, or a suspiciously timed day off,...

Working from home has become common for many businesses. However, remote work also brings unique risks. One big question employers face...

If you’re running a small or medium business, you’ve probably used a probationary period  clause in your employment contracts. But don’t...

If you run a small business in health care, disability, early childhood education, pharmacy, or community services, pay attention. ...

Many business owners still run their workplaces based on the idea that a “standard” full-time week is 40 hours.  But is it actually...