Employment Law Masterclass Australia 2026: Key Insights

employment law masterclass - Employment Law Masterclass Australia 2026: Key Insights

Prepare for the Employment Law Masterclass Australia 2026

Employment law masterclass events are crucial for HR leaders seeking to stay ahead of regulatory changes. As Australia’s employment law landscape undergoes significant updates in 2026, the Employment Law Masterclass Australia offers a timely opportunity for professionals to deepen their understanding. Scheduled for 19 August, this one-day virtual event delivers essential guidance to navigate new obligations and best practices in HR compliance.

Event Overview and Format

This year’s Employment Law Masterclass Australia is designed as a comprehensive online program, making it accessible for HR professionals nationwide. Chaired by Katie Kossian, Special Counsel at Maddocks, the event will guide participants through a robust agenda of legal topics, interactive sessions, and a Q&A panel. Attendees will also have the chance to earn up to 5.25 CPD units and receive a post-session resource pack for ongoing reference.

Key Topics and Expert Speakers

The 2026 agenda addresses the most pressing issues in Australian employment law. Each session is led by leading legal practitioners, ensuring attendees receive actionable, up-to-date insights:

  • Wage Compliance and Payroll Auditing: Kate Pennicott, Partner at MinterEllison, will delve into common underpayment pitfalls and strategies for remediation, helping employers prepare for regulatory scrutiny.
  • Flexible Work Rights: Dentons partners Helene Lee and Angela Cartwright will explore expanded entitlements, focusing on when refusals might now be considered unlawful.
  • Respect@Work Positive Duty: Melini Pillay from McCabes will outline new obligations regarding positive duty and the correct use of non-disclosure agreements in workplace investigations.
  • Psychosocial Safety Enforcement: Alana Rafter of Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors will update attendees on the latest requirements and enforcement trends related to psychosocial hazards.
  • Managing Ill and Injured Workers: Brigid Clark, Partner at Addisons, will guide HR leaders through the complex process from initial disclosure to potential termination procedures for incapacity.
  • Workplace Investigations and AI Challenges: Adam Battagello of Lander & Rogers will address best practices for workplace investigations, including defending against AI-assisted self-represented litigants.
  • Redundancy, Restructures, and IR Landscape: Rhian O’Sullivan from Energy Queensland and Peter McNulty from Ashurst will provide insights into navigating redundancies, restructures, and the evolving industrial relations landscape in 2026.
  • AI-Fuelled Claims: Kingston Reid partner James Parkinson will discuss why AI-driven self-represented claims are becoming more prevalent and costly for employers.

Interactive Q&A and Networking Opportunities

The Employment Law Masterclass Australia culminates in an interactive ‘Ask the Experts’ panel, featuring Peter McNulty, Melini Pillay, and Cynthia Elachi of Clayton Utz. Participants can pose their pressing questions on employment law, compliance, and workplace policies, gaining direct access to some of the country’s top legal minds.

Who Should Attend?

This employment law masterclass is essential for HR leaders, compliance officers, in-house counsel, and business owners who must keep pace with regulatory changes. Whether you’re managing payroll, handling workplace investigations, or overseeing flexible work arrangements, the event delivers practical strategies and legal updates tailored for the Australian context.

How to Register

Registration for the Employment Law Masterclass Australia 2026 is open, with options for individual or team passes. The virtual format ensures flexibility and accessibility, making it easy for organizations of any size to participate without travel constraints.

Why Attend the Employment Law Masterclass?

Staying compliant with Australia’s evolving employment laws is more critical than ever. By attending this employment law masterclass, HR professionals will gain vital knowledge on wage compliance, workplace safety, AI-driven claims, and more—empowering them to mitigate risks and foster a fair, legally compliant workplace.


This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.

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