MKL Legal

02/06/2026

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has handed down its 2026 Annual Wage Review decision ordering an increase of 4.75% to most Award rates.

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) and most Award Level 1 rates have been increased by an additional amount in excess of the 4.75%, increasing to $1004.90 per week, or $26.44 per hour. The introductory rates in Modern Awards have similarly been increased by an additional amount to $978.10 per week or $25.74 per hour.

All of the FWC wage increases are payable in the first pay period from 1 July 2026.

For further reading please see the FWC Full Bench announcement athttps://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/resources/annual-wage-review-2026-decision-announcement.pdf

To read the full decision, visit:https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/resources/2026fwcfb3500.pdf

31/03/2026

Junior Award rates for 18-20 year old workers after six months' service to be abolished. Today the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission handed down its decision in the Junior Rates Application brought by the SDA to vary the junior rates in the General Retail Industry Award 2020, the Fast Food Industry Award 2020 and the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020. The Full Bench determined that the rates for 18-20 year olds be varied as follows:

10/02/2026

Employee side hustle constitutes a valid reason for dismissal. As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald today, a former employee has lost his Unfair Dismissal Application before the Fair Work Commission due to his conduct in running a personal coaching business alongside his full-time role as an Executive Manager at a recruitment company.

Commisioner Perica found that the employee's conduct was in breach of his contractual requirement for exclusive service and that as an executive he was required to devote the whole of his time, attention, and abilities exclusively to the employer's business. Furthermore, Commissioner Perica found that the employer did not condone the conduct as while it had some awareness of the coaching business, it was not aware of the full extent of the employee's involvement in that business.

To read the decision in full visit:https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/pdf/2026fwc345.pdf

For the SMH article follow the link below:
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/worker-dismissed-for-side-hustle-he-claims-to-have-disclosed-20260206-p5o04m.html

A Victorian recruitment manager failed to have his unfair dismissal application accepted after starting a personal business and failing to clearly disclose it.

22/01/2026

Big news for NRL fans and employment lawyers. Tomorrow at midday in the Supreme Court of NSW, the Parramatta Eels will be seeking to restrain Zac Lomax from signing with the Melbourne Storm and argue that he is in breach of the terms of his agreed release from Parramatta that he would not sign with a rival NRL Club before 2028.

17/08/2025

A former Amazon delivery man has won the right to challenge an alleged unfair deactivation of his Amazon Flex delivery account following his entry into a customer's house to deliver a parcel.

The Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has allowed an extension to the 21 day time limit to lodge the Unfair Deactivation Claim in the above matter by four days, taking into account the former delivery man's resulting mental health condition that went beyond the expected 'feelings of stress, anger, shock, distress, humiliation, or other analogous hurt, which workers commonly experience following a termination of their working arrangements.'

Read the full decision here:

https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/pdf/2025fwcfb182.pdf

If you or your business requires assistance with any FWC Application, get in touch with MKL legal for expert and practical guidance and representation.

25/06/2025

BREAKING NEWS: Antoinette Lattouf wins unlawful termination case aginst the ABC. Justice Darryl Rangiah of the Federal Court of Australia has found that the ABC dismissed journalist Antoinette Lattouf on 20 December 2023 because of her political opinions on the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and that this dismissal was unlawful under section 772(1)f) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

03/06/2025

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has handed down a 3.5% minimum wage increase and increase to Modern Award rates of pay effective 1 July 2025. Stay tuned for further updates on the FWC Annual Wage Review Decision from MKL Legal.

16/05/2025

Congratulations to CEO Jason Wallace and the team at CluBarham. Barham Lakes will be a fantastic over 55’s living community on the banks of the Murray River.

Introducing our newest community – Barham Lakes🏡✨

This weekend marks the official launch of this premier over-55s lifestyle destination in Barham, NSW. Set across 10 hectares of tranquil waterways and natural bushland, Barham Lakes offers relaxed, resort-style living designed for connection, nature, and community.

A collaboration between CluBarham and Villawood Properties, this thoughtfully reimagined precinct revitalises a much-loved local space into a welcoming, modern community for over-55s.
We’re proud to help bring new life to this remarkable site and shape a community that reflects the values and aspirations of those who will call it home.

👉 Visit www.barhamlakes.com.au to learn more.

20/03/2025

Former Sea Eagle and NSW Origin star wins unfair dismissal case. Craig Hancock was successful in his claim against Sydney International Container Terminals Pty Limited (Hutchison) after it dismissed him for returning a 0.017-0.025% Blood Alcohol reading (BAC) following a workplace accident.

Deputy President Wright of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) found that the employer's recent change in Drug & Alcohol Policy from a permitted 0.02% to zero tolerance was not effectively communicated to Mr Hancock. The former Sea Eagles winger was reinstated with backpay. For more information on the case, see the link to the full FWC decision below:

MKL Legal provides expert guidance on employment law compliance for employers including unfair dismissals. Get in touch if you require advice in this area or with any other employment law and industrial relations matters.

22/01/2025

MKL Legal's new website has launched to kick off 2025! Fantastic work by Ellie O’Collins of Virtual Planet Studios with the redesign and keep a lookout for further updates and information from MKL Legal on how we can support your business with employment law, workplace investigations and other legal services. Visit www.mkllegal.com.au to find out more.

Mikhail is the Founder and Principal of MKL Legal Pty Ltd. Mikhail is a qualified solicitor that specialises in workplace relations, corporations & commercial law and general legal compliance with over 15 years’ of experience in court litigation, the provision of legal advice, human resources mana...