Employment Law Lawyers in QueenslandOne Call Away
Need an employment lawyer in Queensland? LawyerLink connects you with a verified Queensland partner firm. Our AI intake handles urgent matters 24/7. Coverage includes unfair dismissal applications, general protections claims, workplace bullying, discrimination, modern award disputes, post-employment restraints, public-sector industrial matters, and workplace investigations.
Employment Law in Queensland
Employment law in Queensland operates across two main systems. Most private-sector employees are covered by the federal Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), which governs unfair dismissal, general protections, modern awards, enterprise agreements, and the National Employment Standards. Queensland public-sector and local-government employees are covered by the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), with disputes heard in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.
Unfair dismissal claims under the Fair Work Act must be filed with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of dismissal — a strict deadline rarely extended. To be eligible, an employee must have completed the minimum employment period (6 months for most employers, 12 months for small business). Remedies include reinstatement or compensation capped at 26 weeks' pay (subject to the high-income threshold around $175,000).
General protections claims also proceed under the Fair Work Act. Dismissal-based general-protections claims have a 21-day deadline; non-dismissal claims have no equivalent cap. General protections cover adverse action for exercising a workplace right, discrimination on protected attributes, and union-related activity. Damages are uncapped.
Workplace bullying applications under section 789FC of the Fair Work Act allow the Fair Work Commission to make orders to stop bullying — but only where the worker remains in the workplace. Discrimination claims have multiple pathways: federal discrimination law through the Australian Human Rights Commission, Queensland state discrimination law under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) through the Queensland Human Rights Commission, and Fair Work Act general-protections.
Post-employment restraints in Queensland (non-compete, non-solicit, confidentiality) are governed by common-law restraint-of-trade principles only — Queensland has no equivalent to the NSW Restraints of Trade Act 1976 that lets a court read down an unreasonable restraint. A Queensland restraint drafted too widely typically gets struck out entirely. Careful drafting of scope, duration, and geography matters substantially.
How LawyerLink connects you to a QLD employment law lawyer
- 1
Tell Us What You Need
Call us, send a form, or chat. Tell us your practice area, your location, and what's happening.
- 2
We Take It From Here
We pass your enquiry to a partner firm in our network. One that handles your type of matter in your part of the country.
- 3
A Lawyer Gets in Touch
A lawyer from our partner network will be in touch to walk you through your situation and your options.
- 4
It's Your Call
If the conversation goes well, you take it forward together. If not, you walk away. No obligation, no cost.
Employment Law in Queensland — FAQs
- How long do I have to make an unfair dismissal claim in Queensland?
- 21 days from the date of dismissal. The Fair Work Commission rarely extends this deadline. If you miss it, the unfair dismissal jurisdiction is closed and other claims (general protections, workers compensation, common-law claims) may need to be considered. Move quickly.
- What compensation can I get for unfair dismissal in Queensland?
- Compensation is capped at 26 weeks of the employee's pay (subject to the high-income threshold, currently around $175,000). The Commission can also order reinstatement. Median awards have historically been 6-12 weeks' pay.
- Are non-compete restraints enforceable in Queensland?
- Generally less enforceable than in NSW. Queensland has no equivalent to the NSW Restraints of Trade Act 1976. A Queensland restraint drafted too widely is typically struck out entirely rather than partially saved. Careful drafting of scope, duration, and geography matters.
- Where do Queensland public-sector industrial disputes go?
- Queensland public-sector and local-government industrial disputes are heard in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission under the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld). The QIRC has jurisdiction over public-sector unfair dismissal, awards, enterprise agreements, and discipline matters.
- What does it cost to bring an employment claim in Queensland?
- These are general ranges. Your actual fee depends on the firm and your specific matter. Unfair dismissal applications have a filing fee around $80 (waived in hardship). Complex general-protections or discrimination matters can run $15,000-$50,000+. The partner firm gives you a clear costs agreement upfront.