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 Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) as amended is analysed in some detail.

Topics covered include:

• the history, development and constitutional underpinnings 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.

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

• demonstrate an understanding of the legal rules and institutions which regulate Australian work relationships;
• apply the legal rules which regulate Australian work relationships to problem questions;
• critically analyse the legal rules and institutions which regulate Australian work relationships by reference to:
• the historical, social, political and global context of Australian labour law;
• the purposes and policy considerations underlying Australian labour law; and
• the various theoretical perspectives on labour law ; and
• participate in an informed discussion of Australian labour law, including its rules, purposes and theories, and historical, social, political and global context.

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.

Other courses making up a specialisation in labour law include Work and Law - Selected Topics.  Anti-discrimination law studied in Human Rights Law is also relevant.

Please see the course WATTLE page.

Please see the course WATTLE page.