Employment law · Australia
Unfair dismissal, employment contracts, workplace discrimination, redundancy disputes, restraint of trade. We list 108 employment lawyers in Melbourne today (solicitors, firms and barristers), with Doyle’s Guide rankings where they exist and a note on every card saying whether we have checked the register listing. Other cities are added as profiles are claimed and checked.
Your first call for a employment law matter. Runs the matter from the first meeting — advice, negotiation, the paperwork, and court if it comes to that — and briefs a barrister when one is needed.
Contact the firm directlyA solicitor a law institute has accredited in a field after formal assessment. We show it only where the listing says so. Shown on the Victorian register.
Ask the firm, or check the registerAn advocate for hearings, trials and hard points of law. Some accept direct briefs from the public; most work comes through a solicitor.
Usually through your solicitor32 solicitors, 31 law firms and 45 barristers, with Doyle’s Guide rankings where they exist and a register note on every listing. We group lawyers by what Doyle’s Guide published and what we have checked ourselves. Inside a group the order is alphabetical, and no lawyer here is rated above another by us.
Our listings for this area are Melbourne today; we say so rather than show you a national page we cannot back.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Solicitor · Maurice Blackburn
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Market Leader 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Solicitor · Kingston Reid
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Seyfarth
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Jewell Hancock
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Jewell Hancock
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Seyfarth
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Seyfarth
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · King & Wood Mallesons
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Maurice Blackburn
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Solicitor · King & Wood Mallesons
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · KHQ Lawyers
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Lander & Rogers
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Ashurst
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Kelly Workplace Lawyers
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Ashurst
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Lander & Rogers
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Lander & Rogers
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Clayton Utz
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Solicitor · Slater & Gordon
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Gordon Legal
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · STAL Employment Lawyers
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Davies Lawyers
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Maurice Blackburn
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · AJ Macken & Co
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Jewell Hancock
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Kelly Workplace Lawyers
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Slater & Gordon
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Holding Redlich
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Holding Redlich
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Environment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Personal Injury & Compensation)
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Wills, Estates & Succession
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Commercial Litigation
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Estates Litigation
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Banking & Finance
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Family Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Town Planning & Development
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Health & Aged Care
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Personal Injury & Compensation)
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Agribusiness
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Second Tier · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Second Tier · Intellectual Property
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Second Tier · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Third Tier · Property & Real Estate
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Third Tier · Property & Real Estate
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Third Tier · Commercial Litigation
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Third Tier · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Third Tier · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Third Tier · Town Planning & Development
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Employment Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Barrister at the Victorian Bar · Aickin Chambers
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Barrister at the Victorian Bar · Level 17 William Crockett Chambers
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Barrister at the Victorian Bar · Owen Dixon Chambers West
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Barrister at the Victorian Bar · Owen Dixon Chambers West
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Barrister at the Victorian Bar · Aickin Chambers
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Barrister at the Victorian Bar · Owen Dixon Chambers West
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
No lawyers match those filters.
Doyle’s Guide tiers are Doyle’s, from its peer survey, reproduced with attribution. Google ratings are ratings of the firm, not of an individual lawyer. Sponsored placements are labelled. Nobody pays to be listed.
What employment law covers
Employment law in Australia is governed by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), state long service leave acts, and the anti-discrimination acts. Most matters fall into one of these categories.
Termination
Application to the Fair Work Commission claiming the dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable. Must be lodged within 21 days. Available to most employees with 6+ months service earning under the high-income threshold.
Discrimination
Adverse action claims under the Fair Work Act covering discrimination, exercise of workplace rights, and union activity. No time limit prerequisite, broader remedies than unfair dismissal.
Contracts
Review and negotiation of employment contracts — salary, notice, restraint of trade, intellectual property, confidentiality, bonus and incentive terms.
Restraint of trade
Enforcement or challenge of non-compete and non-solicitation clauses. Reasonableness and geographic scope are the usual battlegrounds.
Redundancy
Assessment of redundancy payments, notice periods, leave loading, and severance under the NES and applicable awards or enterprise agreements.
Wage theft
Recovery of wages, leave, and superannuation entitlements where an employer has underpaid. Civil penalties and back-pay orders available.
Typical cost
Indicative range
$2,500 to $25,000
Most employment matters settle at conciliation in the Fair Work Commission. Typical professional fee ranges:
Contract review: $800–$2,500. Unfair dismissal lodgement + conciliation: $3,500–$8,500. Discrimination claim: $5,500–$18,000. Restraint of trade litigation: $15,000–$80,000+. Disbursements and counsel’s fees are additional.
Some firms offer no-win-no-fee on unfair dismissal claims. Read our no-win-no-fee explainer.
How a matter typically unfolds
A typical unfair dismissal claim. Discrimination and restraint matters follow a similar but slower path.
The clock starts. You have 21 days from the date the dismissal takes effect to lodge an unfair dismissal application.
Most employment lawyers offer a free or low-cost first consultation. Get advice on whether the dismissal is likely to be unfair, what remedies are available, and what evidence you need to preserve.
Form F2 to the Fair Work Commission with a $77.80 filing fee (waivable on hardship). The employer must respond within 7 days.
A confidential telephone conciliation conducted by an FWC conciliator. About 70% of unfair dismissal matters resolve at this stage.
If unresolved, the matter is listed for arbitration before an FWC Member. Outcomes can include reinstatement, compensation (capped at 26 weeks’ pay or half the high-income threshold), or dismissal of the application.
Typical settlements for valid claims: 6 to 16 weeks’ pay plus a written reference and tax-effective payment structure. Costs orders are rare in the FWC.
Frequently asked
You must have been employed for at least 6 months (12 months for small business employers), and your annual earnings must be below the high-income threshold ($175,000 for 2025-26, indexed annually). Casual employees can claim if employed on a regular and systematic basis.
A genuine redundancy is not an unfair dismissal. The employer must show the role was no longer required, consultation under the relevant award/agreement occurred, and reasonable redeployment was considered. If any of those are missing, a redundancy can be unfair.
Courts will enforce reasonable restraints. Common periods are 3 to 12 months, with geographic limits matched to the actual market the employer competes in. The 2025 reforms have proposed banning non-competes for workers earning under the high-income threshold; check current status.
Reinstatement is the primary remedy under the Fair Work Act but is rarely ordered in practice. Most successful unfair dismissal claims result in compensation rather than reinstatement, because the working relationship has broken down by the time the matter is decided.
Verified employment lawyers across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA and SA. Free first consultation at most firms. Most claims have strict time limits — act early.
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