News and resources

All areas of the law evolve under the stimulus of societal change, and few areas evolve more quickly than that of employment law. The pace of change in the field of employment law can make it hard to keep up with what’s happening, and this is made harder by the complex tapestry of legal sources […]

Jumping castle an attraction at school event Although more than three years have passed since the Tasmanian jumping castle accident, the tragedy is still fresh in our minds. On 16 December 2021 there was an event, the “Big Day In” at Hillcrest Public School in Devonport, on the north coast of Tasmania. The weather was […]

NSW firefighters face a higher cancer risk than the general population and they need to be aware there are special avenues for them to claim workers compensation entitlements. Cancer risk for firefighters significantly higher than for general population A study by Monash University found the overall cancer rates for full-time firefighters were significantly higher than […]

The NSW government has foreshadowed changes to workers compensation legislation that will tighten access for psychological injuries. Massive upsurge in claims The state government has warned the NSW workers compensation system is “unsustainable” unless it cuts back on victims’ eligibility for payments for workplace psychological injuries. These can include PTSD, anxiety and depression. Treasurer Daniel […]

The NSW Supreme Court recently ruled that a school had failed in its legal duty of care for a 14-year-old boy after he suffered an unprovoked attack, even though it occurred outside school hours and beyond the school grounds. Student attacked outside school gate after end of school day The former Sydney schoolboy won $1.75 […]

A man who committed assault and battery against a speed camera operator was ordered by a court to pay his victim $401,265 in damages. Assault and battery due to mistaken belief The NSW District Court heard the unprovoked attack happened in a car park in the town of Oberon, when the attacker mistakenly decided that […]

Farm injuries are unfortunately quite common – farming can be a dangerous occupation. Work on farms accounts for one in every five workplace deaths in NSW, with quad bikes, heavy vehicles, animal handling, biosecurity hazards, machinery, tree accidents and electrical work among the most common hazards. Farm injuries report demonstrates need for farm work safety […]

A strata owners corporation of commercial premises was recently convicted in the NSW District Court after a damaged heavy gate fell on a worker, resulting in his death. First conviction of owners corporation for failing to prevent industrial accident SafeWork NSW, which brought the court action, said it was the first conviction of an owners […]

Police deal with terrible traumatic incidents in the course of their work, which can lead to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Not only do they investigate violent crimes, where they are often first on the scene of gruesome murders, but many also face personal threats or attacks by angry or deranged members of the public. […]

Adjusting your watch for daylight saving isn’t the only thing to remember when you cross the border from NSW to Queensland, or vice versa – particularly if you are involved in an accident. What you need to do in NSW and Queensland following an accident If you have a vehicle accident in NSW resulting in […]

Back pain is one of the most common injuries for nurses and paramedics, often caused by hurriedly lifting patients or equipment in high-pressure settings. This can lead to a lower back injury strain, rotator cuff injuries and tendonitis. Slips, trips and falls also contribute to these injuries. Nurses dealing with staffing shortages, increased workloads and […]

NSW emergency service workers like paramedics, police and firefighters who want to claim workers compensation for a work-related injury or illness come under different laws and rules to other workers. Emergency service workers classified as “exempt workers” NSW police, paramedics and firefighters are classified as what are referred to as “exempt workers” and are not […]

Help! I’ve been hit by an unidentified vehicle. It didn’t stop and I didn’t get the number plate. I landed in hospital with severe injuries that will take a long time to heal – if ever. Can I still get compensation if I’m hit by an unidentified vehicle? I can’t identify the vehicle that hit […]

Starting 1 October 2024, police insurance arrangements in NSW are changing. Police Blue Ribbon Insurance (PBRI) is being replaced by the Enhanced Police Support Scheme (EPSS), which introduces changes to Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) coverage for officers. What is Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance? TPD insurance is often included as default cover in […]

Recently there has been a lot of publicity about new Commonwealth laws, taking effect toward the end of 2023, aimed at preventing and addressing sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. Recurring themes in this publicity are the stimulus for these laws, the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report (2020); and the phrase […]

Employers found liable for industrial manslaughter could face up to 20 years in jail under tough new negligence laws to come into operation in NSW in 2024. New industrial manslaughter laws following worksite deaths NSW Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis has said she will bring in new industrial manslaughter laws which will significantly increase penalties […]

Are driverless cars safe? We know that driverless cars are coming. So imagine the future, when you get into your driverless car, set the controls to take you home, sit back and relax as the autonomous vehicle sets off down the road. You are in the driver’s seat, but your hands aren’t on the steering […]

“Can I be legally sacked on probation? I thought I’d have to be caught stealing from the office, dodging work or really stuffing up an assignment, but no, I was fired for no reason at all. Is that legal?” Is it legal to be sacked on probation? The short answer is yes – you can […]