Four legal changes to watch for in 2026
As we move through 2026, legal risks and obligations for Victorian businesses and individuals have shifted quickly.
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New Fair Work protections for employee-like workers and road transport contractors
Recent updates to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) have introduced stronger protections for workers in the gig economy and the road transport sector.
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Changes to wage theft laws: What Victorian businesses need to know
Victoria became the first state to make wage theft a criminal offence, but a new Federal law will override it. Here’s what you need to know!
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What do treaty negotiations mean for Victorian landowners?
Victoria is leading the nation through treaty negotiations with First Nations Peoples, but what does this mean for landowners in Victoria?
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Key legal changes from 1 July 2025
The new financial year is around the corner, bringing several important legal changes from 1 July that all Australians should know about.
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Privacy Act Reforms in June 2025: What Business Owners Need to Know (and Do)
From 10 June 2025, significant reforms to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) are now in effect, and they bring new legal obligations and higher expectations for Australian businesses.
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The proposed ban on non-compete clauses
In the 2025-26 Federal Budget, the Government announced a ban on non-compete clauses and “no poach” agreements. Firstly, what is a non-compete clause? Non-compete clauses are restrictions that prevent workers from joining a competitor or starting a new business in competition with their current employer for a period of time. In the 2025-26 Federal Budget,…
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Is Bitcoin actually property?
The Supreme Court of Victoria recently confirmed that Bitcoin is indeed property under Australian law. This is an important development that brings Australia in line with the law in the UK and other countries. Background The decision in Re Blockchain Tech Pty Ltd [2024] VSC 690 concerned separate transfers of Bitcoins valued at several million dollars, with those Bitcoins allegedly either to be held under a bailment…
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Updates to the Franchising Code of Conduct – 1 April 2025
Following a review of franchising law in Australia, a new Franchising Code of Conduct will come into effect on 1 April 2025 (with some transitional arrangements to apply from 1 November 2025). Both franchisors and franchisees need to be aware of these changes. Summary of Changes The amendments to the Code are extensive. Because of the scope of the…
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New Notification Regime for Mergers of Australian Businesses
Under the new laws, Australia will adopt a mandatory notification regime for business mergers that exceed certain monetary thresholds.
