19th Annual Employment Law Conference Online
- About the Conference
- The Faculty
- Feedback
- CPD Certificate
- Registration Special Offer
- Enquiries/Assistance
Date/Time
Thursday 23 & Friday 24 July 2026
JW Marriott Gold Coast or Online
About the Conference
Employment law risk has shifted, and employers are now operating in a far more complex and unforgiving landscape. From psychosocial hazards and the positive duty to prevent sexual harassment, through to wage compliance, general protections claims and the expanding reach of WHS obligations, the stakes have risen across every aspect of the employment relationship.
Across two practical days, the 19th Annual Employment Law Conference focuses on where employers are most exposed, what regulators and courts are doing in response, and how to structure decisions and processes that stand up to challenge. You’ll explore the real pressure points in modern workplaces, from managing psychological risks and serious incidents, to conducting defensible investigations, handling injury and return-to-work obligations, and responding to evolving Fair Work Commission processes. The program also tackles high-stakes developments in redundancy, flexible work, salary compliance and the emerging risks created by AI in the workplace.
Day 1 - Thursday 23 July 2026
Morning Theme: The New Risk Landscape for Employers
- Beyond the Policy: Managing Psychological Risks in the Workplace
- When HR Decisions Become WHS Risks: Managing the Intersect Between Safety and Employment Law
- Preventing Sexual Harassment: Meeting the Positive Duty in Australian Workplaces
- The First 48 Hours: Responding to a Serious Workplace Incident
Afternoon Theme: Investigations, Disputes and Legal Exposure
- Workplace Investigations Done Right: Process, Privilege and Legal Risk
- Return to Work Under Pressure: Managing Injury, Capacity and Employer Risk
- General Protections Claims: What the Fair Work Commission’s New Case Management Means for Employers
Day 2 - Friday 24 July 2026
Morning Theme: High Risk Employment Decisions
- Probation Done Properly: Employer Obligations under the Fair Work Act
- Flexible Work Requests: What Recent Fair Work Commission Decisions Require of Employers
- Not Just Vacant Roles: The High Court Redefines Reasonable Redeployment in Genuine Redundancy
Afternoon Theme: Wage Compliance and Emerging Workplace Risks
- The Salary Trap: What the Coles and Woolworths Decision Means for Annual Salary and Set-Off Arrangements
- Shadow AI at Work: Managing the Governance, Privacy and Employment Risks
The Faculty
Claire Brattey, Special Counsel, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Brisbane, Qld
Nick Ruskin, Partner, K&L Gates, Melbourne, Vic.
Wendy Fauvel, Partner, Lander & Rogers, Sydney, NSW
Annie Smeaton, Partner, Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers, Brisbane, Qld
Adam Foster, Partner, Colin Biggers & Paisley, Melbourne, Vic.
Amaya Hettige, Special Counsel, Kennedys, Melbourne, Vic.
John Love, Partner, Mellor Olsson Lawyers, Adelaide, SA
Elizabeth Devine, Principal Solicitor, Devine Law at Work, Sydney, NSW
Scott Coulthart, Partner, Mills Oakley, Brisbane, Qld
Sam Harvery, Lawyer & Accredited Specialist in Employment & Industrial Law, Gilbert + Tobin, Sydney, NSW
Samantha Betzien, Partner, Allens, Brisbane, Qld
Steven Crilly, Counsel, Seyfarth Shaw Australia, Melbourne, Vic.
Feedback
Last year’s conference scored an overall satisfaction rate of 4.9 out of 5!
- Excellent topics that were very relevant to my role. Excellent presenters who were personable and knowledgeable.
- This was my first Employment Law Conference and it exceeded my expectations by far. Outstanding presentations on diverse and relevant topics in 2025. The presenters were excellent, as the rotation of chairs - great idea. The availability of the papers and PowerPoints in advance outstanding and much appreciated. Overall it is a very well run conference, the online participation was great. Thank you, I will be back next year.
- Quality speakers, venue, catering and opportunities to network and connect.
CPD Certificate
Lawyers: 11 CPD units/points (substantive law).
All delegates attending the conference will receive a CPD Certificate confirming attendance.
Registration Special Offer
If you register and pay by 5 June 2026 you will pay only $2090 – a saving of $429 off the full price conference registration fee of $2519.
Multiple registration discount?
If you would like to send 3 or more people from your company to this conference the following discounts apply:
- 3 registrations – 5% discount off each registration
- 4 registrations – 10% discount off each registration
- 5 or more registrations – 15% discount off each registration
To access this discount simply contact Jenna (details below) to organise the registrations for you.
One-day only? We do accept bookings for attending one day only. To organise a one-day booking, please contact Jenna.
Enquiries/Assistance
If you need assistance or have an enquiry, please do not hesitate to contact our Event Manager, Jenna Pickrell, on (03) 8601 7729 or email: [email protected]