5 Best Employment Lawyers in Melbourne
Updated 22 September 2026 · How we rank law firms
Compare the 5 highest-rated employment lawyers in Melbourne, ranked by Google rating across 1,023 client reviews (average 5.0 stars). A dismissed employee in Melbourne must lodge any unfair dismissal claim with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days after the dismissal takes effect. The 2026–27 application fee is $92.70, and the Commission's Victorian office is on level 4, 11 Exhibition Street.
Best employment lawyers in Melbourne
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1
Hugo Law Group Editor's pick
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2
Jewell Hancock Employment Lawyers Editor's pick
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3
Pearce Webster Dugdales Editor's pick
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4
Sanicki Lawyers Editor's pick
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5
Kelly Workplace Lawyers
4.89score -
6
Rankin Business Lawyers
4.88score -
7
Nevett Ford Lawyers Melbourne
4.87score -
8
Saundh, Singh & Smith Lawyers
4.84score -
9
TM Collins Law - Law Firm Melbourne
4.84score
Editor's picks are chosen by our editors and labelled; the firms below them are ordered by score. Source: Google Maps business listings for “employment lawyer melbourne”, checked 22 September 2026. Ordered by a review-weighted rating. How we rank law firms
Standouts among employment lawyers in Melbourne
Highest weighted score
Kelly Workplace Lawyers: 5.0 stars from 128 reviews.
Most reviewed
Nevett Ford Lawyers Melbourne: 461 Google reviews, rated 4.9.
Highest rated with 100+ reviews
Kelly Workplace Lawyers: 5.0 stars from 128 reviews.
Where are employment matters heard for Melbourne?
The Fair Work Commission's Melbourne office at 11 Exhibition Street deals with unfair dismissal, general protections and workplace bullying applications for Victoria. Conciliations run for up to 90 minutes and are usually held online. Unresolved cases are decided by a Commission Member.
What Victoria-specific rules apply?
Victoria referred its industrial relations powers to the Commonwealth, so almost every Victorian employee, including most state public servants, is in the national Fair Work system. The exceptions are some state public sector employees at executive and higher managerial levels and law enforcement officers. Long service leave for Victorian employees is governed by the Long Service Leave Act 2018 (Vic).
How much does a employment lawyer cost in Melbourne?
Fees for employment lawyers in Melbourne depend on the matter, the lawyer's seniority and the fee model (hourly, fixed fee or conditional). Before any work starts, a law firm must disclose its costs in writing when they are likely to exceed the disclosure threshold. See How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in Australia? for typical ranges and fee models.
Free and low-cost legal help in Melbourne
The Fair Work Commission's Workplace Advice Service can refer eligible Victorians to a partner such as JobWatch for up to an hour of free legal advice about dismissal. See Free Legal Advice in Australia for more options.
Melbourne employment lawyer FAQs
Are Victorian public servants covered by the Fair Work Commission?
Mostly yes. The Fair Work Commission lists all Victorian employees as national system employees except some state public sector staff at executive and higher managerial levels and law enforcement officers.
How long does an unfair dismissal case take in Melbourne?
The Commission usually holds an optional conciliation about five weeks after receiving the application, and it reports that 3 out of 4 cases are resolved there. Cases that do not settle go to a Commission Member for decision.
Can I claim unfair dismissal if I worked less than six months?
Usually not. The minimum employment period is 6 months, or 12 months if the employer is a small business. A lawyer can check whether another claim, such as general protections, is open instead.
