Fair Work Centre — For Employers
Most small and medium Australian employers can’t justify a full-time HR manager — but that doesn’t mean you can skip compliance. Get practical, affordable HR advice built for businesses without a dedicated HR function.
The Problem
Even without a dedicated HR team, employers are still fully responsible for compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009 and the National Employment Standards — ignorance of an obligation is not a defence if the Fair Work Ombudsman investigates.
Owners and office managers often handle HR alongside their actual job — leaving compliance gaps that only surface once there’s a dispute or a Fair Work Ombudsman enquiry.
Contracts, policies and procedures copied from the internet or never updated since the business started are a common source of unenforceable clauses and compliance gaps.
Without regular HR input, issues like underperformance or workplace conflict tend to get addressed only once they’ve escalated — by which point options are limited and risk is higher.
Without ongoing access to advice, small employers often only call a lawyer once a problem is already serious — when prevention would have been far cheaper.
How We Help
Fair Work Centre gives small and medium Australian employers access to HR documents, templates and direct lawyer advice — without the cost of an in-house HR department.
How It Works
Call 1300 161 828 or book a free initial advice call to discuss your business.
We help you match the right level of support and advice access to your needs.
Access templates, advice and representation whenever you need them.
Membership gives you templates, advice and representation as your business needs it.
Membership
Common Questions
No — many small businesses manage HR successfully without a dedicated hire by using good templates, clear processes and access to advice when something out of the ordinary comes up. The key is having reliable support available before an issue becomes a dispute.
At minimum: compliant employment contracts, a staff handbook covering key policies, position descriptions, and templates for warnings, performance reviews and termination. Missing even one of these creates real risk if a dispute arises.
Members speak directly with a dedicated employment lawyer, not a rotating call-centre representative reading from a script. This means consistent advice from someone who understands your business and history, not a fresh explanation every time you call.
Standard gives you the document library and self-service resources. Advanced adds 8 dedicated lawyer advice sessions per year. Professional includes unlimited advice sessions and Fair Work Commission representation — suited to employers who want ongoing hands-on support.
Yes — membership plans are designed to scale with your business. Many employers start on Standard and move to Advanced or Professional as their team grows and HR needs become more complex.
No — most members join to prevent problems, not react to them. Having correct contracts, policies and access to advice from the start is far cheaper than fixing a dispute after it’s escalated.
No. Fair Work Centre is an independent private advisory service for employers. We are not associated with or authorised by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any government authority.
Fair Work Centre is an independent private organisation providing advisory services to employers only. It is not associated with or authorised by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any government authority.
Speak to an Employment Lawyer at Fair Work Centre
To change or request cancellation of your Client Membership, please email us with your request at: info@fairworkcentre.com.au.
Refer to our Terms of Service for changes or cancellation requests.
If you would like more information about any of our professional products or services, feel free to contact us, or simply fill in our enquiry form.
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