This course examines labour law in Australia.  Labour law is an important component of studies in the legal regulation of commerce.  Students are introduced to the key aspects of labour laws which determine the rights, entitlements and responsibilities of employers and workers in the workplace.  Both practical and theoretical perspectives on judge-made law and statute regulating work are examined.  Given extensive recent legislative activity by the Commonwealth Parliament in the area of labour law, the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) as amended is analysed in some detail.

Topics covered include:

• The history and development of Australian labour law
• The constitutional framework of Australian labour law
• Employees contrasted with other categories of workers
• The common law contract of employment
• Minimum employment terms and conditions
• Workplace bargaining and agreements
• The regulation of industrial conflict (including strikes)
• Wrongful, unlawful and unfair termination of employment
• Transmission of business rules.

At the conclusion of this course students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the core components of labour law including the contractual relationship between employer and individual worker, and statutory regulation of workplace relations, particularly the federal workplace relations system
• Demonstrate an ability to critically examine the values and policy considerations involved in labour law
• Resolve problem-based questions on labour law topics which involves applying relevant labour law cases and statute to given sets of facts
• Demonstrate an ability to research and write about labour law involving critical analysis of relevant primary and/or secondary materials.

The proposed means of assessment for this course will provide students with the option of undertaking at least two pieces of assessment, including one piece during the semester.  More information about the means of assessment, including the relationship between the assessment and the learning outcomes of the course, will be available on the course home page by the first week of semester.

Class contact hours are 3 hours per week.  This will include lectures and class discussion.  The amount of time dedicated to class discussion as opposed to lectures will vary depending on class size.  Students are generally expected to devote approximately 10 hours per week to this course.

Contracts LAWS1204.
Completed or completing five LAWS courses at 1000 level.

Information about prescribed texts will be made available in the course outline.  See the course home page.