Employment & Workplace Relations Lawyers Australia
Summary
Astris Law advises Australian employers on employment law under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), including unfair dismissal defence, modern award compliance, workplace investigations, redundancy processes, restraint of trade enforcement and Fair Work Commission representation.
Overview
Employment relationships are complex and heavily regulated under the Fair Work Act 2009. Astris Law can assist employers in navigating modern awards, workplace disputes and HR compliance. We can provide practical advice that balances legal compliance with operational efficiency, helping businesses build productive and legally sound workplaces.
How We Help
Astris Law acts for Brisbane employers — not employees — on the full range of employment and workplace relations matters. We advise business owners and directors on hiring, managing and terminating employees in compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009, the National Employment Standards and applicable modern awards. Our focus is on protecting your business from claims while maintaining practical, workable employment arrangements.
Employment law is one of the most heavily regulated areas of Australian business. Errors in dismissal processes lead to unfair dismissal claims before the Fair Work Commission. Miscalculating entitlements under a modern award results in underpayment claims with penalties under the Fair Work Act. Poorly drafted restraint of trade clauses fail when you need them most. Astris Law helps Brisbane employers avoid these outcomes through proactive compliance advice and, where disputes do arise, robust defence.
We represent employers in Fair Work Commission proceedings including unfair dismissal applications, general protections claims and enterprise bargaining disputes. We also conduct and advise on workplace investigations, manage redundancy and restructuring processes, draft and review employment contracts and independent contractor agreements, and enforce post-employment restraints. For Brisbane businesses dealing with underpayment exposure, we conduct award compliance audits and develop remediation strategies.
Common Situations
- A former employee has lodged an unfair dismissal claim with the Fair Work Commission and you need to defend it within the strict timeframes
- You suspect an employee of serious misconduct and need to conduct a workplace investigation that is procedurally fair and legally defensible
- A former senior employee is breaching a restraint of trade clause by soliciting your clients or working for a direct competitor
- You are restructuring your business and need to manage genuine redundancies in compliance with consultation obligations under the Fair Work Act
- An employee or former employee has made an underpayment claim and you need an award compliance audit
- You need employment contracts, independent contractor agreements or workplace policies reviewed or drafted
Why Astris Law
As a boutique Brisbane firm focused on employer-side work, Astris Law provides direct access to the principal on every matter. There is no delegation to junior lawyers — you deal with the lawyer who knows your business and your workforce.
What We Can Do
Our Special Interests
Key Legislation & Frameworks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is unfair dismissal in Australia and how do I defend a claim?
Unfair dismissal under the Fair Work Act 2009 occurs when an employee is dismissed in a manner that is harsh, unjust or unreasonable. Employers must demonstrate a valid reason for the dismissal, that the employee was notified and given an opportunity to respond and that proper process was followed. Claims are lodged with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of dismissal.
What are modern awards and do they apply to my business?
Modern awards are industry or occupation-based minimum employment standards that cover most Australian employees. They set out minimum pay rates, hours, allowances, leave and other conditions. If your employees are covered by the national workplace relations system, the relevant modern award applies unless an enterprise agreement is in place.
What is a general protections claim under the Fair Work Act?
A general protections (adverse action) claim arises when an employer takes adverse action against an employee for exercising a workplace right, engaging in industrial activity or based on a protected attribute such as race, sex or disability. These claims carry a reverse onus of proof, meaning the employer must prove the action was not taken for a prohibited reason.
Can I enforce a non-compete clause in an employment contract in Australia?
Non-compete clauses (restraint of trade clauses) in Australian employment contracts are enforceable only if they go no further than reasonably necessary to protect the employer's legitimate business interests. Courts assess the duration, geographic scope and restricted activities. Unreasonable restraints may be read down or struck out entirely under common law or relevant state legislation.
What is the process for making an employee redundant in Australia?
Making an employee redundant in Australia requires the employer to demonstrate a genuine operational reason, consult with the employee about the proposed redundancy, consider redeployment options and provide notice and redundancy pay in accordance with the National Employment Standards or the applicable modern award or enterprise agreement. Failure to follow proper process can result in an unfair dismissal claim.
Insights & Publications
View allEmployment Law for Employers: 10 Mistakes That Cost Brisbane Businesses
14 January 2026
The 10 most common and costly employment law mistakes Australian employers make, with specific legislation, penalty figures, recent case law and practical steps to avoid each one.
Read more
Non-Compete and Restraint of Trade Clauses in Australian Employment
30 December 2025
Restraint of trade clauses in employment contracts are only enforceable in Australia if they go no further than reasonably necessary to protect a legitimate business interest. This article explains the legal framework, enforceability tests and practical strategies for employers and employees.
Read more
Fair Work Underpayments and Penalties: What Employers Actually Face
9 January 2025
Underpayment penalties under the Fair Work Act 2009 routinely exceed the original shortfall. With criminal wage theft provisions now in force under Part 3A-3, the consequences for employers have never been more severe. This article examines the real cases, the actual penalty amounts and the legal mechanisms that make underpayment one of the highest-risk areas in Australian employment law.
Read moreIndustries We Serve in Employment
Construction & Infrastructure
Legal support for construction contracts, infrastructure projects and building disputes in Queensland and Australia.
Health & Medical Services
Legal services for hospitals, medical practitioners, allied health providers and digital health companies.
Education & Training
Legal services for schools, universities, RTOs and EdTech companies.
Written by Jamie Nuich, Principal of Astris Law
Need a employment lawyer? Talk to Astris Law.
We work directly with directors on employment matters across Australia. No layers, no committees. One lawyer who understands your business completely.