Legal Guides
Plain-English explanations of Australian law — understand your rights and obligations without needing a lawyer.
Employment Law
How Much Notice Does an Employer Need to Give in Australia?
Minimum notice periods for employment termination in Australia under the Fair Work Act, 1 to 4 weeks depending on length of service, plus an extra week for employees over 45.
Unfair Dismissal in Australia: Your Rights and How to Make a Claim
How unfair dismissal works in Australia, eligibility, the 21-day deadline, how to lodge a claim with the Fair Work Commission, and what remedies are available.
Redundancy Pay in Australia: What You Are Entitled To
Redundancy pay entitlements under the Fair Work Act, how much you are owed based on years of service, small business exemptions, and what counts as a genuine redundancy.
Annual Leave in Australia: Entitlements, Accrual, and Cashing Out
Annual leave entitlements under the Fair Work Act, 4 weeks per year for full-time employees, how leave accrues, leave loading, cashing out, and what happens on termination.
Casual Employee Rights in Australia: What You Are Entitled To
Rights of casual employees in Australia, casual loading, what entitlements apply, unfair dismissal protection for regular casuals, and the right to request permanent conversion.
Sick Leave and Personal Leave Entitlements in Australia
How much sick leave are you entitled to in Australia?. Full-time employees get 10 days paid personal/carer's leave per year under the Fair Work Act. Learn how it works, when you can use it, and what your employer can ask for.
Parental Leave Rights in Australia
Parental leave entitlements in Australia, government-funded Paid Parental Leave scheme provides up to 22 weeks at minimum wage, plus employer-funded entitlements under the Fair Work Act. Learn what you're entitled to.
Minimum Wage in Australia. What You're Entitled to in 2025
The national minimum wage in Australia, the Fair Work Commission sets it annually. From 1 July 2025, the minimum wage is $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per week. Learn how it applies and whether your award rate is higher.
Employee vs Independent Contractor in Australia. What's the Difference?
How to tell if you are an employee or an independent contractor in Australia, courts look at the real nature of the relationship, not just what you're called. Your classification affects your entitlements, tax, and super.
Overtime Pay Rights in Australia
Are you entitled to overtime pay in Australia?. Most employees covered by a Modern Award or enterprise agreement are entitled to penalty rates for overtime. Learn when overtime kicks in and what rates apply.
Long Service Leave in Australia. Your Entitlements
Long service leave entitlements in Australia vary by state and territory, most employees are entitled to 8.67 weeks after 10 years with the same employer. Learn what you're entitled to and when you can take it.
Workplace Bullying and Harassment. Your Rights in Australia
What is workplace bullying in Australia and what can you do about it?. Repeated unreasonable behaviour that creates a risk to health and safety is bullying under the Fair Work Act. You can apply to the Fair Work Commission for an order to stop it.
Right to Disconnect: Can Your Employer Contact You After Hours?
From 26 August 2024, most Australian employees have a right to refuse unreasonable out-of-hours contact under the Fair Work Act. Learn what this means for you.
Enterprise Agreements in Australia: What Employees Need to Know
Enterprise agreements set pay and conditions for employees at a specific employer. Learn how they work, when they override awards, and what happens when they expire.
Tenancy Law
Tenant Rights in Australia: What Landlords Can and Cannot Do
Your rights as a tenant in Australia, bonds, repairs, rent increases, landlord entry, and how to resolve disputes. Covers all states and territories.
How Much Notice Does a Landlord Need to Give to End a Tenancy in Australia?
Notice to vacate periods for landlords across all Australian states, fixed-term leases, periodic tenancies, and notice for breach. Includes Victoria no-fault eviction rules.
How to Break a Lease Early in Australia: Costs and Your Options
What it costs to break a lease early in Australia, how break fees are calculated by state, and the circumstances where you can leave without penalty.
Bond Return Disputes. How to Get Your Bond Back in Australia
How to get your rental bond back in Australia, landlords can only claim bond for specific reasons like unpaid rent or damage beyond fair wear and tear. Learn the process for disputing a bond claim.
Tenant Rights for Repairs and Maintenance in Australia
Who is responsible for repairs and maintenance in a rental property in Australia?. Landlords must maintain properties in a reasonable state of repair. Urgent repairs must be done immediately. Learn what you can do if your landlord won't fix things.
Rent Increases in Australia. What's Legal
Can your landlord increase your rent in Australia?. Rent increases are regulated by state and territory law. Most states require proper notice and limit how often rent can be increased. Learn the rules in your state.
Strata Title and Body Corporate: Your Rights as an Owner or Tenant
Strata title is common in Australian apartments and townhouses. Learn what a body corporate (owners corporation) is, what fees you pay, and your rights when disputes arise.
Family Law
How Is Property Divided After Separation or Divorce in Australia?
How property is divided after separation or divorce in Australia, the four-step process used by the Family Court, time limits, superannuation splitting, and how to formalise a settlement.
Parenting Orders in Australia: How They Work and How to Get Them
How parenting orders work in Australia under the Family Law Act, what they cover, how to apply, and how the court decides what is best for children after separation.
Child Support in Australia: How Much and How It Is Calculated
How child support is calculated in Australia, the Services Australia formula, how income and care percentage affect the amount, private agreements, and enforcing payments.
How to Get a Divorce in Australia
How to apply for divorce in Australia, the 12 months separation requirement, how to file at the Federal Circuit and Family Court, what divorce does and does not cover, and timeframes.
De Facto Relationship Rights in Australia: Property and Financial Entitlements
Property rights for de facto couples in Australia, when federal law applies, how property is divided, superannuation splitting, and the 2-year time limit to apply.
Spousal Maintenance in Australia: Who Can Claim and How Much?
Spousal maintenance (or partner maintenance) can be ordered by a court after separation or divorce in Australia. Learn the eligibility rules, how amounts are set, and how long it lasts.
How the Family Court Process Works in Australia
A step-by-step guide to the Australian family law court process, from filing an application to final orders, including mediation requirements and what to expect at each stage.
Wills & Estates
How to Make a Valid Will in Australia
Requirements for a valid will in Australia, who can make one, signing and witness rules, the effect of marriage and divorce, and how to update your will.
How to Contest a Will in Australia: Family Provision Claims Explained
How to contest a will or make a family provision claim in Australia, who is eligible, strict time limits by state, and what the court considers when deciding the outcome.
What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Australia?
How intestacy rules work in Australia when someone dies without a will, who inherits, the order of distribution by state, and the risks of dying intestate.
Powers of Attorney in Australia. What They Are and How They Work
A power of attorney in Australia lets you appoint someone to manage your financial or legal affairs. An enduring power of attorney continues to operate if you lose mental capacity. Learn how to set one up and the different types.
Superannuation and Death Benefits in Australia
What happens to your superannuation when you die in Australia?. Super does not automatically form part of your estate. You can nominate a beneficiary, but the trustee has discretion unless you make a binding death benefit nomination. Learn how it works.
Criminal Law
Spent Convictions in Australia: When Can You Stop Declaring a Criminal Record?
How spent conviction schemes work in Australia, waiting periods, which offences qualify, when you can lawfully say you have no criminal record, and the exceptions that apply.
Your Rights When Stopped or Questioned by Police in Australia
You have legal rights when police stop, question, or search you in Australia. Know what you must provide, what you can refuse, and when you are under arrest.
Bail in Australia: How It Works and What Happens If You Are Refused
Bail allows an accused person to be released from custody before their court date. Learn how bail is granted in Australia, what conditions apply, and what happens if bail is refused.
Drug Offences in Australia: Possession, Supply, and Your Options
Drug laws in Australia vary by state and by the type and quantity of drug. Learn about possession, supply, and trafficking offences, penalties, and your legal options.
Traffic & Road Law
Drink Driving Charges and Penalties in Australia
Drink driving laws across Australia. BAC limits, penalties by category, immediate licence suspension, mandatory interlock devices, and your options after being charged.
Speeding Fines and Demerit Points in Australia
Speeding fines and demerit points in Australia, each state sets its own fines and demerit point thresholds. Learn how the demerit point system works and what happens when you lose your licence.
How to Contest a Traffic Fine in Australia
Can you fight a traffic infringement notice in Australia?. Yes. You can request a review or elect to have the matter heard in court. Learn the process for contesting a traffic fine and your chances of success.
Licence Suspension and Disqualification in Australia
What happens when your licence is suspended or disqualified in Australia?. Learn the difference between suspension and disqualification, how to get your licence back, and what happens if you drive while suspended.
Personal Injury
Workers Compensation in Australia: How to Make a Claim
How to make a workers compensation claim in Australia, what injuries are covered, reporting requirements, state-based schemes, and what weekly payments and benefits you may receive.
Public Liability Claims in Australia: Compensation for Injuries in Public Places
How to make a public liability claim in Australia for injuries in public places or on someone else's property, what you must prove, time limits, and what compensation is available.
Medical Negligence in Australia: How to Make a Claim
Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare professional fails to meet the required standard of care and causes harm. Learn what you need to prove and how to pursue a claim in Australia.
Intellectual Property
How Copyright Works in Australia
How copyright protection works in Australia, no registration required, what is protected, how long it lasts, moral rights, fair dealing exceptions, and what to do if someone infringes your copyright.
Copyright Infringement in Australia: What It Is and What You Can Do
Using someone else's creative work without permission can be copyright infringement in Australia. Learn what counts as infringement, the exceptions, and how to respond to a copyright claim.
Discrimination Law
Workplace Discrimination in Australia: Your Rights and How to Make a Complaint
Workplace discrimination laws in Australia, what attributes are protected, how to make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission, and time limits that apply.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: Your Rights in Australia
Sexual harassment at work is unlawful in Australia. Learn what constitutes sexual harassment, how to report it, and what protections the law provides.
Age Discrimination in Australia: What the Law Protects Against
The Age Discrimination Act 2004 prohibits discrimination based on age in employment, education, and the provision of goods and services in Australia. Learn what is covered and how to make a complaint.
Centrelink
Am I Eligible for JobSeeker Payment in Australia?
Eligibility requirements for JobSeeker Payment in Australia, age, residency, income and assets tests, who is exempt from mutual obligations, and how to apply.
Centrelink Mutual Obligations: What You Must Do to Keep Receiving Payments
What Centrelink mutual obligations are, job search requirements, points-based activation, what happens if you miss appointments, and who is exempt.
Who Is Eligible for the Age Pension in Australia?
Age Pension eligibility in Australia, qualifying age (67), residency requirements, income and assets tests, how much you receive, and the Work Bonus for employed pensioners.
How to Appeal a Centrelink Decision
How to appeal a Centrelink decision in Australia, internal review by an Authorised Review Officer, the Administrative Review Tribunal, time limits, and free legal help.
How to Apply for the Disability Support Pension (DSP)
Disability Support Pension eligibility and application in Australia, the 20-point impairment test, Program of Support requirement, medical evidence tips, and how to appeal a rejection.
Consumer Law
Online Shopping Returns and Refunds in Australia
Your rights when returning online purchases in Australia, under Australian Consumer Law you have the same rights for online purchases as in-store. Learn when you're entitled to a refund, replacement, or repair.
Warranty Rights in Australia. Statutory vs Manufacturer Warranties
Warranty rights in Australia. Australian Consumer Law provides automatic statutory guarantees that apply on top of any manufacturer's warranty. You have rights even after the manufacturer's warranty expires.
Defective Products. Your Rights in Australia
What are your rights if a product is defective or causes injury in Australia?. Australian Consumer Law provides remedies for defective goods, and you may also have a product liability claim if you are injured.
How to Take a Small Claim to a Tribunal in Australia
State tribunals like NCAT, VCAT, and QCAT let you resolve consumer, tenancy, and civil disputes cheaply without a lawyer. Learn how to file a claim and what to expect.
Debt Collection in Australia: What Collectors Can and Cannot Do
Australian debt collectors must follow strict rules under ASIC guidelines and the Australian Consumer Law. Learn your rights if you are being contacted about a debt.
Your Privacy Rights in Australia: What the Privacy Act Covers
The Privacy Act 1988 and Australian Privacy Principles regulate how organisations collect, use, and disclose your personal information. Learn your rights and how to make a complaint.
Immigration
Partner Visa in Australia. How It Works
How does the Australian partner visa work?. The Partner visa (subclass 820/801 or 309/100) allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen or permanent resident to live in Australia. Learn the requirements and process.
Work Rights on a Student Visa in Australia
Can you work in Australia on a student visa?. Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Learn the rules and conditions.
Working Holiday Visa Rights in Australia
Your rights on a working holiday visa in Australia, subclass 417 and 462 allow you to work and travel for 1–3 years. Learn the work conditions, employer obligations, and how to extend your visa.
Employer-Sponsored Visas in Australia: The TSS 482 and Beyond
Skilled workers can come to Australia on an employer-sponsored visa like the TSS 482 or the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS 186). Learn how these visas work, who qualifies, and what your rights are.
How to Become an Australian Citizen: Requirements and Process
Australian citizenship by conferral requires permanent residency, meeting a residence requirement, and passing a citizenship test. Learn the full requirements and what the process involves.
Property Law
Buying a House. The Conveyancing Process in Australia
How does the property conveyancing process work in Australia?. Conveyancing is the legal transfer of property ownership. Learn the steps from exchange to settlement, what a conveyancer does, and common pitfalls.
Stamp Duty in Australia. How Much Will You Pay?
Stamp duty (transfer duty) in Australia varies by state and purchase price. First home buyers may be exempt or receive concessions. Learn how stamp duty is calculated and what concessions are available.
Neighbour Disputes in Australia: Fences, Trees, and Noise
Common neighbour disputes in Australia include dividing fences, overhanging trees, and noise complaints. Learn your legal rights and how to resolve disputes without going to court.
Home Building Disputes in Australia: What to Do When a Builder Gets It Wrong
Disputes with builders over defective work, delays, or incomplete construction are common. Learn your rights, the statutory warranties that apply, and how to make a claim in Australia.