Best Law Firms Australia

Best Employment Lawyers in Australia

Updated 22 September 2026

Compare employment lawyers in 6 Australian cities, ranked on employment law experience, public client reviews and professional standing. An employment lawyer advises and represents employees and employers in unfair dismissal claims, general protections claims, workplace disputes and employment contracts under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), mainly before the Fair Work Commission and the federal courts.

The most urgent step for a dismissed employee is to count the days. Unfair dismissal and general protections dismissal claims must be lodged within 21 days after the dismissal takes effect. Employers served with a claim have 7 days to respond. Our ranking method is set out in how we rank law firms.

Editor's picks

Chosen by our editors from verified facts and always labelled. Shown separately from the data-ranked list. How we rank law firms

Editor's pick #1Criminal defence law firm

Hugo Law Group

★★★★★ 4.7 (121 Google reviews, Sydney (Level 12, 179 Elizabeth St))

Hugo Law Group is a criminal defence law firm with offices in Sydney, Canberra, Perth and Northern NSW, acting in criminal and traffic matters.

  • Offices in Sydney, Canberra, Perth and Northern NSW.
  • Acts in criminal and traffic law, including assault, dishonesty, firearms, robbery, sexual assault, homicide and perjury matters.
  • Named after the jurist Hugo Grotius.

Sydney NSWCanberra ACTPerth WANorthern NSW

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Editor's pick #2Employment law firm (employees)

Jewell Hancock Employment Lawyers

★★★★★ 4.8 (406 Google reviews, East Melbourne (Wellington Pde))

Jewell Hancock Employment Lawyers is an employment law firm that acts only for employees, with offices in East Melbourne and Spring Hill, Brisbane.

  • Offices at Level 3, 126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC and in Spring Hill QLD.
  • Acts for employees in unfair dismissal, general protections, bullying and harassment, discrimination, redundancy, underpayment and sham contracting matters.
  • Google rating 4.8 from 406 reviews (Google Maps, September 2026).

East Melbourne VICSpring Hill QLD

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Editor's pick #3Law firm

Pearce Webster Dugdales

★★★★★ 4.6 (54 Google reviews, Southbank (99 Queens Bridge St))

Pearce Webster Dugdales is a Melbourne law firm, incorporating the former practice Tolhurst Druce & Emmerson, acting in family law, wills and estates, property and commercial matters.

  • Office at Unit 1, 99 Queens Bridge Street, Southbank VIC 3006, with family law appointments in Geelong.
  • Several of its lawyers are accredited specialists with the Law Institute of Victoria.
  • Google rating 4.6 from 54 reviews (Google Maps, September 2026).

Southbank VICGeelong VIC

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Editor's pick #4Law firm

Sanicki Lawyers

★★★★★ 4.9 (67 Google reviews, Prahran (Regent St))

Sanicki Lawyers is a boutique firm with offices in Prahran, Melbourne and Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, acting in commercial, dispute resolution, defamation, intellectual property and entertainment matters.

  • Offices at 9 Regent Street, Prahran VIC and in Fortitude Valley QLD.
  • Acts in litigation and dispute resolution, business and commercial law, employment law, intellectual property, defamation and liquor licensing.
  • Its franchising practice is led by an accredited specialist in franchising law.

Prahran VICFortitude Valley QLD

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Top-rated employment lawyers by city

Sydney

Full ranking →
  1. 1Advantage Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (121)
  2. 2Cruz Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (83)
  3. 3Garling & Co Lawyers★★★★★ 4.9 (172)

Melbourne

Full ranking →
  1. 1Kelly Workplace Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (128)
  2. 2Rankin Business Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (125)
  3. 3Nevett Ford Lawyers Melbourne★★★★★ 4.9 (461)

Perth

Full ranking →
  1. 1Johnstone Crouse Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (113)
  2. 2LHD Lawyers Perth★★★★★ 4.9 (366)
  3. 3Paragon Legal Solutions★★★★★ 4.9 (123)

Brisbane

Full ranking →
  1. 1Littles Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (580)
  2. 2WKB Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (292)
  3. 3Solomons Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (122)

Adelaide

Full ranking →
  1. 1DBH Lawyers★★★★★ 4.8 (301)
  2. 2Turner Freeman Lawyers★★★★★ 4.8 (155)
  3. 3Clarke Hemmerling Lawyers★★★★★ 4.9 (58)

Gold Coast

Full ranking →
  1. 1Blackhurst Law★★★★★ 5.0 (841)
  2. 2HTW Legal Group★★★★★ 5.0 (146)
  3. 3Rise Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (133)

What does an employment lawyer do?

An employment lawyer acts on both sides of the employment relationship. The tasks are:

  1. Advise on dismissal, redundancy, restraints and entitlements.
  2. Lodge unfair dismissal (Form F2) and general protections (Form F8) applications with the Fair Work Commission.
  3. Respond to claims for employers, including jurisdictional objections.
  4. Negotiate settlements and draft deeds of release.
  5. Represent clients at conciliation, conferences and hearings, with the Commission's permission under section 596.
  6. Draft and review employment contracts, policies and executive agreements.
  7. Enforce or challenge post-employment restraints and confidentiality obligations.
  8. Recover unpaid wages and entitlements in court.
  9. Advise on workplace investigations, bullying complaints and sexual harassment.
  10. File and defend general protections claims in the Federal Court and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

Unfair dismissal lawyer

An unfair dismissal lawyer is an employment lawyer who handles claims that a dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable. As at September 2026, an employee needs 6 months' service (12 months with a small business of fewer than 15 employees) and must earn under the $190,100 high income threshold, unless an award or enterprise agreement covers them. The Fair Work Commission's application fee is $92.70. The most the Commission can order is the lower of 26 weeks' pay or $95,050. The guide to Unfair Dismissal in Australia covers eligibility and compensation in detail.

Workplace lawyer

A workplace lawyer, also called a workplace relations or industrial relations lawyer, usually advises employers. The work covers modern award and enterprise agreement compliance, bargaining, restructures and redundancy consultation, investigations and responses to Fair Work Ombudsman inquiries.

Employment lawyers for employers

Employers use employment lawyers to prevent claims and to defend them. Common tasks are drafting contracts, running a fair dismissal process with warnings and a chance to respond, checking the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code, and lodging Form F3 or Form F8A responses within 7 days.

When do you need an employment lawyer?

You need an employment lawyer when a deadline is running or the claim could go to court. The common triggers are:

  1. You have been dismissed. The 21-day limit applies to both unfair dismissal and general protections dismissal claims.
  2. The dismissal may be for an unlawful reason. Discrimination, a complaint or sick leave can support a general protections claim, where the employer carries the onus of proof under section 361. See General Protections Claims.
  3. You are offered a settlement or deed of release. A deed usually ends all claims from the employment.
  4. A restraint of trade is being enforced. Restraint disputes can lead to urgent court injunctions.
  5. You are an employer facing a claim or planning a redundancy or dismissal.

A workplace injury is a different matter. Claims for injury compensation are handled by Workers Compensation Lawyers in Australia.

How much does an employment lawyer cost?

An employment lawyer in Australia typically charges between $300 and $700 per hour plus GST, and many firms offer fixed fees for dismissal claims up to conciliation. These ranges are indicative as at September 2026 and vary with the firm, the city, the lawyer's seniority and the complexity of the matter.

Matter Common fee model Indicative range
First consultation Free or fixed fee $0 to around $400
Unfair dismissal: lodgement and conciliation Fixed fee or no win, no fee Around $1,500 to $5,000
Unfair dismissal hearing Hourly or fixed per stage Around $10,000 to $30,000+
General protections claim in court Hourly, sometimes no win, no fee Around $20,000 to $100,000+
Employment contract review Fixed fee Around $500 to $2,500
Employer advice on a dismissal or redundancy Hourly or fixed fee Around $1,000 to $5,000

In Fair Work Commission matters, each party generally pays its own costs under section 611 of the Fair Work Act. Conditional fee arrangements are compared in No Win No Fee Lawyers in Australia, and general billing rules are explained in How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in Australia?.

How to choose an employment lawyer

Choose an employment lawyer by checking these points before signing a costs agreement:

  1. Practising certificate. Confirm the lawyer holds a current practising certificate on the state regulator's public register.
  2. Accredited specialist status. Ask whether the lawyer is accredited by the state law society as a specialist in employment or workplace relations law; see What Is an Accredited Specialist Lawyer?.
  3. Which side they act for. Some firms act mainly for employees, others mainly for employers. Ask how often they act for your side.
  4. Fair Work Commission experience. Ask how many conciliations and hearings they run each year.
  5. Fee disclosure. Get the costs disclosure and estimate in writing, including the terms of any no win, no fee offer.
  6. Timing. Confirm the firm can lodge within your 21 days.

The How to Choose a Lawyer in Australia guide lists general checks for any practice area.

Employment Lawyers by location

Employment law guides

These guides explain the claims employment lawyers handle most often:

For low-cost options before hiring a firm, see Free Legal Advice in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an employment lawyer and a workplace lawyer?

There is no legal difference. Both terms describe a solicitor who practises employment and workplace relations law under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). "Workplace lawyer" and "industrial relations lawyer" are often used for firms that mainly act for employers.

Can a lawyer represent me at the Fair Work Commission?

Yes, with permission. Under section 596 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), a lawyer or paid agent needs the Commission's permission to represent a party in a conference or hearing. A lawyer can prepare documents and advise without that permission.

Do employment lawyers offer free consultations?

Many firms offer a free or low-cost first consultation to check eligibility and time limits. Ask before booking how long it runs, and whether any fee is credited against later work.

Who handles unpaid wages claims?

The Fair Work Ombudsman can investigate underpayments for free. An employment lawyer can also recover unpaid wages and entitlements through a court claim, which suits larger amounts or disputed contracts.