Employment and Labour Relations Law

Major shifts in laws governing the workplace and labour force in Australia and internationally mean that understanding the regulatory framework pertaining to employment and labour relations practices is more important than ever.

Employment and labour relations law is ideal for legal practitioners, the public sector, corporate management and human resources/personnel services, trade unions and employer groups. This specialisation caters for legal practitioners as well as non-lawyers with experience and interest in the legal regulation of employment and labour relations. In-depth analysis of recent developments in this complex and evolving area ensures the program remains at the forefront of legal knowledge in this field. The subject Principles of Employment Law is designed to be of particular assistance to students without previous (or recent) legal study in the area.

The extensive range of employment and labour relations law subjects engages with up-to-the-minute developments and cutting-edge thinking in Australia and internationally.


Employment and Labour Relations Law study options


I have thoroughly enjoyed studying the Employment and Labour Relations Law subjects. They have opened doors for me into new worlds of intellectual exploration and challenge. I have also appreciated the highly practical utility of the specialisation. It has been invaluable to my work as a barrister. Natalie Blok, Master of Public and International Law

Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law

The Centre's broad aims are to consolidate the teaching of, and research into, labour and employment law at the University of Melbourne, to contribute to the development of labour and employment law teaching and research throughout Australia, and to engage with labour and employment law scholars throughout the world.

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Advisory Board

  • The Hon Justice Mordy Bromberg, Federal Court of Australia (Chair)
  • Carol Andrades, Gordon Legal
  • Josh Bornstein, Maurice Blackburn
  • The Hon Alan Boulton AO, Formerly of the Fair Work Commission
  • Trevor Clarke, Australian Council of Trade Union
  • Marcus Clayton, Gordon Legal
  • Mark Diserio, Lander & Rogers
  • The Hon Peter Gray AM, Formerly of the Federal Court of Australia
  • Dr Laura Hilly, Victorian Bar
  • The Hon Associate Justice Mary-Jane Ierodiaconou, Supreme Court of Victoria
  • Ross Jackson, Maddocks
  • Murray Kellock, King & Wood Mallesons
  • Commissioner Tim Lee, Fair Work Commission
  • Leon Levine, Minter Ellison
  • Jon Lovell, Ashurst
  • Peter Lupson, K&L Gates
  • Sandra Parker, Fair Work Ombudsman
  • Charles Power, Holding Redlich
  • Sarah Rey, Justitia
  • Penny Savidis, Ryan Carlisle Thomas
  • Michael Tamvakologos, Seyfarth Shaw
  • John Tuck, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
  • Anthony Wood, Herbert Smith Freehills