The July 2026 wage increase and Payday Super changes may seem like simple payroll updates, but they can create real compliance and cash flow issues if they are not checked properly. Not every employee will need a pay rise, but every business should review award rates, classifications, salaries, flat rates and payroll processes before the first full pay period in July. This practical guide explains what has changed, where businesses often get caught, and what employers should

Public holidays can easily become confusing for employers, especially in Tasmania where regional public holidays like the Royal Launceston Show and the Royal Hobart Regatta apply differently depending on where employees are based. This article looks at the practical rules around public holiday pay, penalty rates, reasonable requests to work, casual and part-time entitlements, and how to correctly manage regional public holidays across multiple locations or remote teams.

Flexibility in the workplace is increasingly important for both employers and employees. Businesses need the ability to manage operational demands, while employees often seek arrangements that better fit their personal circumstances. One mechanism designed to support this balance is the Individual Flexibility Agreement (IFA). Understanding how IFAs work, and how to implement them properly, is essential for any business operating under a modern award.

Annual leave often appears straightforward until it starts to impact day-to-day operations. Competing requests, busy periods, and limited staffing can quickly turn a simple entitlement into a difficult decision. Under the Fair Work Act, requests can't be unreasonably refused - but 'unreasonable' isn't defined. So...when can you refuse an annual leave request?

Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) is often seen as a simple, practical solution when employees work extra hours. In reality, it is an area where many small and medium businesses unintentionally expose themselves to compliance risk. If your team works overtime, understanding how TOIL operates, and how it must be managed, is essential.

Fuel prices are up. Interest rates are up. Grocery costs are about to follow. For many employees, the weekly budget has very quickly just got tighter and they’re starting to look for ways to reduce their costs wherever they can. We’re already seeing it. Employees are asking to work from home more to avoid fuel costs, compress their hours into fewer days, drop down to part-time, even temporarily. So as a business owner, how should you handle it?

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.

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. Here’s why finding the correct Award and classification matters, how to do it, what can go wrong if you get it wrong, and the steps you can take to protect your business.

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

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...

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

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

Starting 1 January 2025, intentionally short-changing your employees on wages or entitlements will no longer be treated as a mere civil...

As a business owner, the last thing you want is to end up in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. But with wage theft now a criminal...

Keeping records might not be the most exciting part of running a business, but it's a non-negotiable. Good HR record keeping can save you...

New rules apply for employee authorised deductions. As an employer, be clear on what you can and cannot do. Employee Deductions that are...

The Fair Work Commission has recently updated the Real Estate Industry Award to clarify payment entitlements for Excess Travelling....

Starting July 1, 2023, the Fair Work Act made a significant change to employee's entitlements, aligning with updates to the Paid Parental...

Let's dive into the recent changes in employment regulations about pay secrecy. Understanding these shifts is vital for both employers and...