Australian Labour Law Association
The Australian Labour Law Association (ALLA) was incorporated in Victoria on 27 February 2001 and now has active State Chapters in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania. ALLA's main objectives are to promote the study of labour law and social security both in Australia and internationally, and to provide a forum for discussion and debate for lawyers and others working in these fields.
Get a copy of the ALLA Rules of Association here
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Membership
Membership of ALLA is open to all who are interested in the aims of the Association, either professionally or because of scholarly activities.
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National Committee
The affairs of the Association are managed by the National Committee of Management.
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Annual General Meetings
Read ALLA's past Annual General Meeting minutes.
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History
View information on the founding members and the launch of ALLA.
1:00pm, Monday 20 November 2023 AEDT
Discrimination Law Reform: Evaluating Progress, Identifying Gaps
The last few years have seen significant changes to workplace discrimination laws. At the federal level, the Respect@Work report led to changes to sex discrimination and sexual harassment laws.
The ACT and Northern Territory have recently amended their antidiscrimination legislation, and change is on the horizon in Queensland. In this webinar, Associate Professor Dominique Allen, Monash University and Associate Professor Alysia Blackham, University of Melbourne, will examine these developments, including new mechanisms like positive duties, and identify areas still in need of reform.
5:00pm, Thursday 9 November 2023 AEDT
Exploring the Albanese Government’s proposed reforms of gig work regulation
The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill includes important proposed changes to the regulation of platform work in Australia, including a statutory definition of employment and powers for the Fair Work Commission to set standards and settle disputes for employee-like workers. In this ALLA webinar, our panel of expert speakers featuring: Professor Joellen Riley-Munton, University of Technology Sydney; Dr Michael Rawling, University of Technology Sydney; and Nicholas Ellery, Francis Burt Chambers, will explore the key features and implications of these significant reforms (if they are enacted and implemented in early 2024).
Closing the Gap: Understanding the New Workplace Gender Equality Laws
ALLA was pleased to present Mary Wooldridge, CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Samone McCurdy, WGEA Capacity Building Executive Manager, and Jacquie Seemann, Partner, Thomson Geer, exploring the aetiology and substance of the amendments introduced by the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Act 2023, as well as the amendments to the Workplace Gender Equality (Gender Equality Standards) Instrument 2023 and the Workplace Gender Equality (Matters in relation to Gender Equality Indicators) Instrument 2023.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
Looking Back, Looking Forwards: Reflections on the Role of the Fair Work Ombudsman and a New Era for Enforcement
ALLA was pleased to host, Sandra Parker PSM, in the last week of her five-year term as Fair Work Ombudsman, looking back on her period at the helm of the agency primarily responsible for enforcement of Australia’s workplace laws. Sandra highlighted some of the key challenges which confronted the FWO over this time, and the significant changes which lie ahead as the federal government seeks to implement its policy proposals for an even tougher approach to compliance – including criminal penalties for underpayments and other breaches of the law.
Sandra's speech is available via the FWO website.
*this event was not be recorded
The Changing Landscape on Sexual Harassment: The New FWA Provisions
Implementing recommendations of the AHRC Respect@Work report, successive amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) have prohibited workplace sexual harassment and empowered the FWC to deal with disputes about sexual harassment by issuing ‘stop orders’, conciliation, mediation, making recommendations and expressing opinions, and where agreed, by arbitration. The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) has also been amended to expand the prohibitions on sexual harassment and impose a positive prevention duty.
ALLA was pleased to present, our panel of expert speakers featuring Gabrielle Marchetti, JobWatch; Kamal Farouque, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers; Associate Professor Belinda Smith, University of Sydney, and panel chair, Professor Beth Gaze, reflecting on the new FWA provisions and their implications for complainants when deciding under which jurisdiction to bring a claim. Access the full flyer for futher details.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
ALLA National Webinar - Adverse Action Update
The case law emerging from the Federal Court of Australia on the circumstances in which an employee is able to make a complaint or inquiry for the purposes of section 341(1)(c)(ii) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and on the task of assessing the reasons for taking adverse action among multiple decision-makers and contributors continues to provoke debate. The NSW Chapter of ALLA was pleased to present our expert panel featuring Emma Goodwin, Thomson Geer; Larissa Andelman, NSW Bar; and David Chin SC, NSW Bar, exploring these controversies and the latest case law. Access the event flyer for further details.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
ALLA National Webinar - Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act Essentials: What it means for workplace law
ALLA was pleased to present our panel of expert speakers, featuring Nick Ellery, WA Bar; Professor Marilyn Pittard, Monash University (Panel Chair); and Professor Andrew Stewart, University of Adelaide, reflecting on key aspects of the recently enacted Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act that extensively amends the Fair Work Act. The panel focused particularly on the implications of the changes for enterprise bargaining and agreements, the BOOT, flexible work, fixed term contracts and pay secrecy. Access the event flyer for further details.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
ALLA National Webinar - Hard Labour: Wage theft in the age of inequality
ALLA was pleased to present Ben Schneiders discussing his new book, Hard Labour: Wage theft in the age of inequality with Anthony Forsyth.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
ALLA National Webinar - The Primacy of Deterrence: Civil Penalties Under the Fair Work Act After ABCC v Pattinson
ALLA was pleased to present 'The Primacy of Deterrence: Civil Penalties Under the Fair Work Act After ABCC v Pattinson' chaired by David Chin SC and presented by Julia Watson and Philip Boncardo.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
ALLA National Webinar - Putting Human Rights to Work: The Role of Rights in the Foundations of Labour Law
ALLA was pleased to present 'Putting Human Rights to Work: The Role of Rights in the Foundations of Labour Law' presented by Dr Philippa Collins, University of Bristol.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
National Webinar co-hosted by ALLA and QUT's Centre for Decent Work and Industry
Polls Apart? What the Federal Election Could Mean for Workers and Employers
ALLA and the QUT Centre for Decent Work and Industry were pleased to present 'Polls Apart? What the Federal Election Could Mean for Workers and Employers' presented by Professor Andrew Stewart.
This seminar was recorded and is available to view here.
National Webinar - The Functions, Powers and Compliance Activities of Wage Inspectorate Victoria: A Conversation with Rob Hortle
The Australian Labour Law Association was pleased to present 'The Functions, Powers and Compliance Activities of Wage Inspectorate Victoria: A Conversation with Rob Hortle' on 4 May 2022, presented by Robert Hortle, Commissioner of Wage Inspectorate Victoria and chaired by Associate Professor Tess Hardy.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
National Webinar - Labour Law Implications of recent High Court Decisions: Jamsek and Personnel Contracting
The Australian Labour Law Association was pleased to present 'Labour law implications of recent High Court Decisions: Jamsek and Personnel Contracting' on 10 March 2022, presented by Mark Irving QC, Rachel Francois, and chaired by Professor Joellen Riley-Munton.
Fact summaries and other relevant materials provided by the speakers are available here.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
ALLA Annual General Meeting 2021
ALLA's 21st Annual General Meeting was held at 5:00pm AEDT Thursday 18 November 2021 via Zoom video conference. Membership of the 2022 National Committee can be view here.
Closing the Gap: Understanding the New Workplace Gender Equality Laws
ALLA was pleased to present Mary Wooldridge, CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Samone McCurdy, WGEA Capacity Building Executive Manager, and Jacquie Seemann, Partner, Thomson Geer, exploring the aetiology and substance of the amendments introduced by the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Act 2023, as well as the amendments to the Workplace Gender Equality (Gender Equality Standards) Instrument 2023 and the Workplace Gender Equality (Matters in relation to Gender Equality Indicators) Instrument 2023.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
ALLA National Webinar - Looking Back, Looking Forwards: Reflections on the Role of the Fair Work Ombudsman and a New Era for Enforcement
ALLA was pleased to host, Sandra Parker PSM, in the last week of her five-year term as Fair Work Ombudsman, looking back on her period at the helm of the agency primarily responsible for enforcement of Australia’s workplace laws. Sandra highlighted some of the key challenges which confronted the FWO over this time, and the significant changes which lie ahead as the federal government seeks to implement its policy proposals for an even tougher approach to compliance – including criminal penalties for underpayments and other breaches of the law.
Sandra's speech is available via the FWO website.
*this event was not be recorded
ALLA National Webinar - The Changing Landscape on Sexual Harassment: The New FWA Provisions
Implementing recommendations of the AHRC Respect@Work report, successive amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) have prohibited workplace sexual harassment and empowered the FWC to deal with disputes about sexual harassment by issuing ‘stop orders’, conciliation, mediation, making recommendations and expressing opinions, and where agreed, by arbitration. The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) has also been amended to expand the prohibitions on sexual harassment and impose a positive prevention duty.
ALLA was pleased to present, our panel of expert speakers featuring Gabrielle Marchetti, JobWatch; Kamal Farouque, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers; Associate Professor Belinda Smith, University of Sydney, and panel chair, Professor Beth Gaze, reflecting on the new FWA provisions and their implications for complainants when deciding under which jurisdiction to bring a claim. Access the full flyer for futher details.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
ALLA National Webinar - Adverse Action Update
The case law emerging from the Federal Court of Australia on the circumstances in which an employee is able to make a complaint or inquiry for the purposes of section 341(1)(c)(ii) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and on the task of assessing the reasons for taking adverse action among multiple decision-makers and contributors continues to provoke debate. The NSW Chapter of ALLA was pleased to present our expert panel featuring Emma Goodwin, Thomson Geer; Larissa Andelman, NSW Bar; and David Chin SC, NSW Bar, exploring these controversies and the latest case law. Access the event flyer for further details.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
ALLA National Webinar - Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act Essentials: What it means for workplace law
ALLA was pleased to present our panel of expert speakers, featuring Nick Ellery, WA Bar; Professor Marilyn Pittard, Monash University (Panel Chair); and Professor Andrew Stewart, University of Adelaide, reflecting on key aspects of the recently enacted Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act that extensively amends the Fair Work Act. The panel focused particularly on the implications of the changes for enterprise bargaining and agreements, the BOOT, flexible work, fixed term contracts and pay secrecy. Access the event flyer for further details.
This video is available to ALLA members - contact law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
To find out more about your State or Territory Chapter click on the links below.
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State & Territory Chapters
State and Territory Chapters of ALLA have been formed around Australia.
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National Conference
ALLA's National Conference is held every two years, gathering academics and practitioners from around Australia.
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External Events
Information on Labour Law events external to ALLA.
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Continuing Professional Development
ALLA Conference Prizes
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Phillipa Weeks Prize
The Phillipa Weeks Prize recognises the contribution of Professor Phillipa Weeks to Australian labour law scholarship and her unwavering support of young and upcoming scholars.
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Dominica Whelan Prize
The Dominica Whelan Prize is named in honour of the late Dominica Whelan, who served for many years as a member of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Fair Work Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. -
ALLA Research Degree Scholarship
The ALLA Research Degree Scholarship is awarded to provide financial assistance for reseach degree students to take part in and present a paper at the ALLA biennial national conference.
Read ALLA's annual newletter and access online version of the Comparative Labour Law and Policy Journal.
Please direct general enquiries to the ALLA Administrator.
ALLA Administrator:
Renee Burns
Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law
Melbourne Law School
University of Melbourne
Vic 3010
Phone: +61 418 844 704
Email: law-alla@unimelb.edu.au
ALLA Secretary:
Associate Professor Dominique Allen
Department of Business Law and Taxation
Monash University
Vic 3145
Phone: +61 3 9903 2385
Email: dominique.allen@monash.edu
ALLA aims to provide an ongoing forum for debates, seminars and discussion groups, to enable the exchange of ideas about labour law arising both within Australia and internationally.
Membership of ALLA is open to all who are interested in the aims of the Association, either professionally or because of scholarly activities.
Membership Fees 2023
ALLA offers Professional, Student and Retired membership, and a reduced rate for 24 month memberships.
Our membership periods align with the financial quarters, you can join ALLA at any time of the year by completing the online form. Payment should be completed at the time of application.
Professional Member
- $70 - 12 month membership
- $130 - 24 month membership
Student Member
- $35 - 12 month membership
- $65 - 24 month membership
Retired Member
- $50 - 12 month membership
- $90 - 24 month membership
Join now
The ALLA early career network, coordinated by Dr Angelo Capuano was established to foster the research, teaching, engagement and career development of junior labour law scholars. If you are a current Masters or doctoral student, a research fellow or post-doctoral fellow, or an academic who was awarded their doctorate 5 years ago or less, or who has not completed a doctorate but has less than 10 years experience as an academic, I invite you to join the ECR Network and take part in its activities.
If you are an eligible ALLA member and would like to join the network please email law-alla@unimelb.edu.au.
ECR Online Seminar - Research Impact in Labour Law and Discrimination Law
12:30pm Wednesday, 5 July 2023, online via Zoom
The Australian Labour Law Association, ECR Network is pleased to host Research impact in labour law and discrimination law presented by Associate Professor Paul Harpur, The University of Queensland.
This ECR seminar is open to all ALLA members.
Register here, or see full flyer for futher details.
Past Events
Wednesday 24 May 2023 - Preparing More Effective Presentations
Getting your message across is very important. Your best work is wasted if you don’t present it well. ALLA was pleased to present the Hon Peter Gray AM encouraging presenters to focus on the core message. Peter described his system of seven steps to help prepare and structure presentations to be more effective. Peter also unpacked the standard method of presenting information in English, demonstrating how to break the standard pattern, so that the important points of your presentation will have more impact. Access the full flyer for futher details.
The ECR Network had a busy 2021. Events were held online and featured presentations from Professor Joellen Riley Munton, Associate Professor Alysia Blackham and Associate Professor Joanna Howe.
Friday 28 May 2021 - Effective Abstract Drafting
Friday 30 July 2021 - Applying for Research Grants in Labour Law
Friday 27 August 2021 - Delivering a Powerful Conference Presentation
Friday 22 October 2021 - Practice Paper Presentations for the ALLA Conference
Friday 13 November 2020 - ALLA ECR 2020 Online Conference
The online ECR Conference was held featuring papers presented by ALLA ECR members Angelo Capuano; Jacqueline Meredith, Dr Gabrielle Golding, Emma Babbage, Melissa Kennedy and Renee Burns. Professor Anthony Forsyth acted as discussant on the day.
Friday 13 November 2020 - #ALLAECRSeminarSeries
ECR Coordinator Dr Gabrielle Golding hosted Emerita Professor Rosemary Owens AO presenting the seminar 'Developing a Career as a Labour Law Researcher'.
Friday 25 September 2020 - #ALLAECRSeminarSeries
ECR Coordinator Dr Gabrielle Golding hosted Associate Professor Dominique Allen presenting the seminar 'Effective Writing Strategies'.
28 August 2020 - #ALLAECRSeminarSeries
ECR Coordinator Dr Gabrielle Golding played host to Professor Andrew Stewart presenting the seminar 'Publishing in the Field of Labour Law'.
7 April 2020 - What do meanings of wellbeing mean for me right now?
Presented by Emma Babbage this seminar will extract some key meanings of wellbeing which she has been looking at in her PhD research, and what they could mean for you at this time. After opening the conversation, Emma will invite discussion from the attendees to share ideas and concerns about managing our wellbeing.
27 November 2019
A successful day-long workshop was held at the Melbourne Law School and featured presentations from Associate Professor Alysia Blackham, Professor Belinda Smith, Professor Carolyn Sutherland, and Dr Dominique Allen.