A message from our host
I am delighted to invite you to Cooper Grace Ward's Annual Workplace Law Masterclass, to be held on 5 August 2025 at Sofitel Brisbane Central and broadcast live.
Our full-day program is specifically designed for leaders and professionals responsible for people, legal, and operational risk, providing the latest updates and practical tips for you to take back to your workplace.
Annie Smeaton
Partner
Workplace Relations and Safety
Registration options
About the masterclass
The Annual Workplace Law Masterclass is a comprehensive full-day event featuring expert insights from our firm’s leading legal professionals.
The event will address the latest legal changes and challenges in the workplace covering a range of hot topics.
Key employment topics for the day include:
- Key changes to workplace laws since August 2024, including new rights, expanded Fair Work Commission powers and WHS reforms
- Implementing and responding to the new right to disconnect
- Understanding your obligations under the new casual employment definition
- Meeting WHS duties with a legally compliant sexual harassment prevention plan
- Avoiding tax and super risks when engaging contractors
- Privacy, AI and data use in modern workplaces – emerging risks and legal responsibilities
- Common law claim exposure through WorkCover Queensland – how damages are assessed in white-collar settings
- Rights and risks in flexible work and WFH arrangements
- Recent case law and compliance guidance every employer should know.
The day concludes with an open panel Q&A where you can ask questions of our expert presenters, followed by networking over drinks and refreshments.
Tuesday 5 August
8.00 am - 8.30 am | Registration
Speaker: Annie Smeaton, Partner
In this opening session, Annie Smeaton delivers the high-level legal update that every employer needs. Covering key changes since August 2024 — including reforms to casual employment, superannuation obligations, the Fair Work Commission’s expanding powers, and shifting compliance trends — Annie will break down what’s already in effect and what’s on the horizon. With a sharp focus on legal risk, policy updates and operational implications, this session provides the essential legal context for everything that follows. Walk away with a clear picture of where Australian workplace law is headed and what practical steps your business should be taking now.
Speaker: Belinda Winter, Partner
Leaders and HR professionals are increasingly expected to navigate mental health issues with care, confidence and compliance. In this focused session, Belinda Winter will unpack the practical realities of supporting mental health in today’s workplaces — including how to spot early signs, handle ‘R U OK?’ conversations effectively, and respond appropriately to concerns around anxiety, depression, and suicide risk. You’ll walk away with clear, legally informed strategies for addressing mental health issues early, improving communication styles and building resilience at all levels of your organisation — while ensuring your duty of care obligations are met.
10.00 am - 10.30 am | Morning tea
Speaker: Gemma Sharp, Special Counsel
Since 1 March 2025, all Queensland PCBUs are legally required to have a written prevention plan in place to manage the risks of sexual harassment and sex or gender-based harassment at work. While not yet mandatory in other states, implementing a plan is strongly recommended to meet WHS duties and demonstrate legal compliance nationwide. This session will explore what that means in practice — not just for HR, but for executive accountability and board-level oversight. Gemma Sharp will walk you through what an effective plan looks like, how to embed it into your workplace systems and how to demonstrate compliance during reviews or investigations. It’s your opportunity to pressure-test your organisation’s current approach and ensure it meets both the spirit and the letter of the law..
Speaker: Kim Villis, Senior Associate
You have a common law claim served on your organisation; how much is likely to be worth? Understanding how damages are calculated is critical to managing risk and cost. In this session, Kim Villis draws on her unique background advising government, insurers and plaintiffs to demystify the claims process. With a specific focus on recent case law, Kim will explain how courts assess heads of damage such as past and future economic loss, general damages and care. Backed by real-life examples, this session offers practical insights into the drivers of claim value and what employers can do to protect themselves from escalating exposure.
12.00 pm - 12.45 pm | Lunch
Speaker: Phil Vickery, Partner
With sweeping reforms to Australia’s Privacy Act on the horizon — and increasing scrutiny of AI in the workplace — now is the time to understand your legal exposure. Phil Vickery will explore the current employee records exemption, likely reforms and what HR and business leaders need to prepare for. He’ll also unpack the emerging risks of using AI in hiring, monitoring and workplace decision-making — including data privacy, transparency and bias. This session provides a sharp legal lens on the rapidly evolving landscape of privacy and technology, and what it means for your workplace today.
Speaker: Tom Walrut, Special Counsel
Engaging contractors and casuals is no longer low-risk business. We’ll delve into common tax and superannuation pitfalls when engaging contractors, and when the ATO might consider someone a disguised employee. A critical takeaway: directors can be personally liable for the company failing to make PAYGW and superannuation guarantee payments and the ATO is actively issuing director penalty notices.
2.15 pm - 2.30 pm | Afternoon tea
Speaker: Isabella Clements, Lawyer
Australia’s workplace laws have entered a new era — and with them come new risks. In this session, Isabella Clements will break down the legal rights around flexible work, working from home and the new right to disconnect. You’ll gain clarity on what employers can and can’t do when it comes to after-hours contact, flexible work refusals and remote work setups. Plus, you’ll learn the latest Fair Work decisions and WHS liabilities that apply beyond the office walls. This is a must-attend session for HR, legal and leadership teams shaping flexible work policies in 2025.
All speakers
Wrap up the day with direct access to our expert panel of speakers. This interactive session is your chance to ask questions, clarify insights and explore practical applications of the day’s key themes. Whether you’re grappling with legal grey areas, policy dilemmas or leadership challenges, bring your questions and take advantage of the collective experience on stage. No hypotheticals are off limits
4.00 pm - 5.00 pm | Networking and drinks
Who is the masterclass for?
The Annual Workplace Law Masterclass is tailored to suit the needs of:
- HR Managers, People & Culture Leaders and Business Partners
- CEOs, COOs, General Managers and Operational Leaders
- In-house Counsel, Legal Managers and Government Lawyers
- WHS Professionals and Return-to-Work Coordinators
- Finance, Payroll and Compliance Managers
- Business Owners and Directors managing legal or HR risk
What can you expect to learn?
Guests who participate in the masterclass can expect to:
- gain expert insights into the latest changes in Australian workplace law and compliance
- build your confidence to manage complex people issues with clarity and consistency
- learn how to reduce legal and reputational risk through better workplace practices
- strengthen your organisation’s approach to culture, conduct, and employee wellbeing
- walk away with practical tools, checklists and strategies to apply in your workplace immediately
- connect with legal experts and peers to share ideas, challenges and solutions.
Registration options
We strongly encourage attendees to join us in person to take full advantage of the event experience — including face-to-face access to our presenters, deeper engagement with the sessions, and valuable networking over drinks to close out the day. However, we understand that not everyone can make it on the day, so we’re pleased to offer a live virtual attendance option. Virtual attendees will receive an attendee pack and full access to the sessions in real time, ensuring an engaging and informative experience from wherever you are.
If you’ve already bought a ticket to attend in-person but would rather attend virtually, please email [email protected] and we’ll convert the ticket for you.
*** Group bookings of five to ten registrations receive 5% discount. Ten registrants and above receive 10% discount. Contact [email protected] for information on our group registration options.
In-person
Sofitel Brisbane-
In-person Q&A sessions providing direct interaction
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Access networking opportunities with your peers and our speakers
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Event resources
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Catering and coffee cart provided
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Immersive atmosphere enhancing focus and learning
Virtual
Online-
Virtual attendance via Zoom Webinar
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Q&A and chat
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Event resources
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Attendee pack/ goodie box
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Access to networking opportunities
Keeping up with changing legislation is challenging, but CGW always provides clear, concise updates. This course is one of the easiest ways for us to stay informed.
Damien Colbert – Vaxxas
The experts clearly explain the legislative changes—what has happened, what’s coming, and how to navigate the impact. Their guidance is invaluable in these rapidly changing times.
Deb Pickersgill – Fire & Safety Systems
