Employment contracts in Australia are governed by a combination of common law, the Fair Work Act, and applicable modern awards or enterprise agreements. Executive and senior management contracts often sit outside award coverage, making the written terms even more critical. Without award minimums as a safety net, your contract is the primary document governing your employment relationship.
Common Issues We Identify
Our employment agreement review lawyer service consistently identifies problematic clauses that clients would otherwise overlook. These include overly broad restraint provisions that could prevent you from working in your industry for extended periods. We also find bonus structures with discretionary elements that allow employers to withhold payments, and termination clauses that permit dismissal without adequate notice or compensation.
Intellectual Property and Confidentiality
Many employment contracts contain broad intellectual property assignments. These clauses may capture work you do outside business hours or inventions unrelated to your role. We review IP provisions to ensure you retain appropriate rights to your own creations. Confidentiality obligations also require careful analysis. While reasonable confidentiality terms are standard, some contracts impose obligations that extend indefinitely or cover information that shouldn't be classified as confidential.
The Fixed Fee Advantage
Traditional legal contract review cost structures involve hourly billing. You don't know the final cost until you receive the invoice. Our fixed fee lawyer contract review model eliminates this uncertainty. You receive a quote upfront and that's what you pay. No surprises. No scope creep charges.
Our Review Process
Submit your employment contract through our secure portal. A qualified lawyer from Sutton Laurence King Lawyers reviews every clause. Within 48 hours, you receive a detailed report identifying risks, recommending changes, and explaining your rights. The report uses plain language. You won't need a law degree to understand our advice.
When to Review Your Employment Contract
The best time to review your employment contract before signing is before you sign. Once executed, your negotiating position diminishes significantly. However, contract review is also valuable when facing redundancy, considering resignation, or disputing entitlements. Understanding your existing obligations helps you make informed decisions about your next steps.
Executives relocating to Australia should pay particular attention to how their contracts interact with Australian employment law. Provisions valid in other jurisdictions may not be enforceable here. Similarly, Australian employees accepting overseas postings need clarity on which laws govern their employment relationship.
