2025-26 Annual Wage Review – Decision Issued
On 2 June 2026, the Minimum Wage Panel of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down its Minimum Wage Ruling for the 2025-26 Annual Wage Review.
Continue reading “2025-26 Annual Wage Review – Decision Issued”Full Bench overturns generous payout for “sound mind” resignation by struggling worker
Last month, a three-member Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission overturned the pre-Christmas decision of Deputy President Tony Slevin, which had awarded a “difficult” employee more than $30,000 compensation for his resignation, tendered after an extended absence prompted by mental health challenges.
Continue reading “Full Bench overturns generous payout for “sound mind” resignation by struggling worker”Wide-ranging changes to popular Modern Awards continuing to roll out
After enduring much activity early in the Albanese government’s first term, 2025 was mercifully more settled within the IR landscape, and whilst significant change to employment laws remains off the agenda for the foreseeable future, select Modern Awards have been subject to major variations to start 2026, with more changes in store for many industries as the year rolls on.
Continue reading “Wide-ranging changes to popular Modern Awards continuing to roll out”Qld Government reviewing Worker’s Compensation scheme
The Queensland Government has launched a review which will examine the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (WCR Act), with the review’s homepage indicating the Crisafulli Government “is committed to a workers’ compensation scheme that strikes a balance between providing appropriate benefits for injured workers and ensuring the costs incurred by employers are reasonable”.
Continue reading “Qld Government reviewing Worker’s Compensation scheme”2025-26 Annual Wage Review progressing as expected
Employers will rightly be anticipating the upcoming decision from the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in this year’s Annual Wage Review, which is awaited in the coming weeks. Last year’s decision of 3 June yielded an increase of 3.5% across all award minimum rates and the National Minimum Wage (NMW), with this year’s outcome once again expected in the first week of June.
Continue reading “2025-26 Annual Wage Review progressing as expected”Compensation for sacked Teacher who questioned colleague’s protest attendance
A “well-regarded” early childhood teacher (ECT) has been awarded tens of thousands in compensation following his “humiliating” and “extremely harsh” summary dismissal, which was actioned based on “misinformation” after he debated a colleague about her presence at a protest rally in which she elected to livestream a speech delivered by a neo-Nazi leader.
Continue reading “Compensation for sacked Teacher who questioned colleague’s protest attendance”FWC Deputy President irked by “speculative” GP claim from unmeritorious applicant
In the past 12 months, numerous members of the Fair Work Commission have been vocal in their frustration at the large number of general protections dismissal applications which have been lodged, despite lacking sufficient merit to warrant pursuit. Deputy President Alan Colman is the most recent voice to lament the scourge of unmeritorious applications contributing to the Commission’s “burgeoning caseload”, suggesting an “effective disincentive for speculative claims” should be implemented.
Continue reading “FWC Deputy President irked by “speculative” GP claim from unmeritorious applicant”‘Adult’ juniors to receive full adult rate under Retail, Fast Food awards
On 31 March, a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission handed down its decision in the junior rates case, which was first initiated by application of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) in June 2024 and sought an increase to minimum rates applicable to juniors employed under the General Retail Industry Award 2020, the Fast Food Industry Award 2020 and the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020.
Continue reading “‘Adult’ juniors to receive full adult rate under Retail, Fast Food awards”New Classifications + Wage Increases for Health Professionals foreshadowed from 30 June 2026
At the beginning of March, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) published a draft determination to vary the Health Professionals & Support Services Award 2020 (HPSS Award), resulting from the Gender-based Undervaluation – Priority Awards Review process which has been running for more than 18 months.
Continue reading “New Classifications + Wage Increases for Health Professionals foreshadowed from 30 June 2026”Payday Super on the horizon
Employers are reminded that the Albanese government’s long-awaited “Payday Super” changes will come into force from 1 July 2026.
Continue reading “Payday Super on the horizon”OUR SERVICES
Representation
ES has represented thousands of employers in unfair dismissal cases and general protections disputes.
Find out moreEnterprise Bargaining
ES has been assisting employers with enterprise bargaining since enterprise bargaining was introduced.
Find out moreInvestigations
Investigating complaints of workplace bullying, sexual harassment and other grievances is often time consuming and difficult for organisations.
Find out moreTailored Contracts, Policies & Letters
ES works with employers to tailor contracts and policies to take account of their particular circumstances.
Find out more