ARTICLE · 23 SEPTEMBER 2012

A Basic Guide To The Australian Employment Law Life Cycle

DLA Piper Australia

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Employers should be aware of the legal issues and obligations involved in hiring, managing and firing in Australia.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Rick Catanzariti

Allan Drake-Brockman

HIRING

For many employers, the key to having a productive and high-performing workforce is recruiting the right people. It is important for employers to be aware that even before an employee commences work, there are a number of legal issues that arise in the process of seeking, interviewing and selecting candidates for a position.

Job applicants

Employers are prohibited from discriminating against job applicants on the basis of an attribute (including sex, race, pregnancy, age, impairment, political belief or activity) in determining who should be offered employment. The protected attributes from state to state depend on the state's legislation. When short listing or selecting candidates, employers should ensure that any decision is based on consistent selection criteria, which are not discriminatory.

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