The FWA and Australians Working Overseas: How Far Does Our Workplace Legislation Extend Beyond Australia?

As businesses increasingly engage employees who live and work outside Australia, understanding the reach of Australian workplace laws has never been more important.

In this podcast Andrew Douglas and Jim Babalis explore the circumstances in which overseas-based employees may still be covered by the Fair Work Act, safety, workers’ compensation and other workplace laws. We also discuss how there can be dual obligations with the country of residence further complicating people management.

Join us as we examine how far Australia's workplace laws can extend beyond our borders and what employers need to know when managing an increasingly global workforce.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan as they discuss the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review and what it means for employers.

The session will cover the impact of the wage review decision on award-covered employees, enterprise agreement employees, and employees engaged under common law contracts, along with key considerations ahead of the 1 July 2026 changes.

Don't miss this timely update on one of the most significant workplace developments of the year.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Workplace bullying remains a key focus for employers across Victoria, with ongoing developments in workplace health and safety obligations, psychosocial hazard regulations, and employer responsibilities continuing to shape the legal landscape.

As regulators and courts place greater attention on workplace conduct and psychosocial risks, organisations need to stay informed about what these changes mean in practice. In this update, Kim McLagan and Monnette Samo examine the latest developments in Victoria’s bullying jurisdiction and emerging compliance expectations.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent decisions from the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Circuit Court have sent a powerful message to employers and individual workers alike — sexual harassment liability is expanding rapidly, and the financial consequences are becoming increasingly significant. In the second major decision delivered within two weeks, substantial compensation orders were made against individual respondents, including in matters involving non-physical sexual harassment. These decisions reinforce the growing legal, reputational, and psychosocial safety risks facing workplaces that fail to properly prevent and respond to inappropriate conduct.

Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan will discuss these important developments, the emerging legal trends, and what employers should be doing now to manage risk and meet their workplace obligations.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When misconduct happens outside of work hours, employers are often faced with a difficult question: should a workplace investigation pause while criminal proceedings are underway?

In this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing, Kim McLagan and Monnette Samo unpack the legal boundaries of investigating employee conduct outside the workplace, including when private behaviour can become a workplace issue and justify disciplinary action.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When is a workplace right not really a workplace right?

It’s a question more organisations are facing as complaints increase - particularly when they may not be raised in good faith. Can you recognise when a workplace right complaint is legitimate, and not made for an ulterior purpose?

Understanding the difference is critical to avoid harm to your organisation. Misusing workplace rights can create significant legal and cultural risks, yet handling these situations incorrectly can be just as damaging.

Join Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan as they explore where the line is drawn, what the law says, and how employers can respond with confidence.

Stay tuned for practical insights to help you navigate this complex area.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re pleased to share our latest podcast episode, where Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan explore how reliance by directors on others can create a false sense of security. However, reliance does not remove responsibility. Directors remain ultimately accountable, and where things go wrong, they may still be held liable.

Understanding where reliance ends and responsibility begins is critical in today’s risk environment.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re excited to share our latest podcast episode, where we examine the much-vexed issue of our employee communications with the media - both mainstream and social media.

In this episode, Andrew Douglas and Jim Babalis explore what this means in practice, by looking at the risks, responsibilities, and real-world implications for both employees and organisations. From navigating media engagement to understanding appropriate use of workplace systems, the conversation offers practical insights you won’t want to miss.

Whether you're an employer shaping policy or an employee wanting to stay informed, this discussion will help clarify expectations and spark important conversations.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest video, Andrew Douglas and a special guest cover an important and often misunderstood topic: Safety Regulator misconduct investigations.

Another case demonstrates safety regulators’ march into general workplace people management—this time focusing on the psychological hazards of investigating misconduct.

It’s scary how far psychological hazard law has extended into the day-to-day management of employees.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There has been a rise in penalty awards for serious workplace safety injuries, bringing increased attention to how organisations manage risk, compliance, and accountability. For many businesses, this shift carries significant financial and reputational implications, making it more important than ever to stay informed and prepared.

In this episode, Kim McLagan and Jim Babalis share their perspectives on what’s driving these higher penalties and how regulators and courts are responding. They also discuss what this means in practical terms for employers, including where businesses are most exposed and the steps that can be taken now to reduce risk.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.