BTX3991 · Employment law

Overview

Understanding how work is regulated in Australia today is important to anyone aspiring to work in a business-related field. This unit introduces you to the legal rules, processes, institutions and actors that regulate employment in contemporary Australia. The unit has a practical focus, exploring the relevance and operation of legal rules through their application to common workplace issues and using real-world examples. The unit also engages with policy debates about the impact and adequacy of the legal rules. Topics covered include the contract of employment and other common work arrangements, minimum standards under the Fair Work Act 2009, collective bargaining and industrial action, workplace health and safety, and legal rules around fair treatment and non-discrimination at work.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. understand and critically engage with key policy debates concerning how work in its various forms should be regulated in contemporary Australia
2. navigate Australia's complex and dynamic system of employment regulation, including demonstrating an understanding of the different sources of employment law and the role and powers of key regulatory institutions
3. demonstrate a knowledge of key features of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) in relation to both individual and collective employment relations; and of anti-discrimination and workplace health and safety legislation
4. identify and apply the relevant legal rules to common workplace issues in order to form a view as to likely legal options and outcomes.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.