Skip to content
  • Solutions
    By firm size or type:    
    New Menu Icon

    New, Growing & Boutique Firms
    Smarter Drafter delivers immediate results for firms just starting out. Learn more...

    Major Menu Icon

    Mid & Major Firms
    Transform how knowledge is shared and utilised within your firm. Learn more...

     
    By feature:    
    Instruction Menu Icon

    Instruction
    Reshape your client engagement and move instruction-taking online. Learn more...

    Assembly Menu Icon

    Assembly
    Create complex legal documents in a fraction of the time. Learn more...

    Word Menu Icon

    Complete in MS Word
    Complete the final version in an environment you know. Learn more...

    eSignature Menu Icon

    eSignature
    Send documents for eSigning with just a few clicks. Learn more...

    Save Menu Icon

    Save
    Combine document automation with document management. Learn more...

    BYO Menu Icon

    Build Your Own
    Automate your existing precedents with Smarter Drafter's BYO functionality. Learn more...

    Clause Bank Menu Icon

    Clause Bank
    Clause Bank from Smarter Drafter delivers a centralised repository of clauses, with AI-enabled search so every team member has access to accurate and approved legal language. Learn more...

  • Precedents
    Generalist

    Essentials

    Cover all major practice areas and unlock immediate results with Smarter Drafter ‘Essentials’ precedent bank.

    Specialist

    Specialist
    Access precedents dedicated to your specific practice area via Smarter Drafter content partners.

     
    BYO

    Build Your Own
    Automate your existing precedents with Smarter Drafter’s BYO capability.

  • Resources
  • Partners
  • Get started
All posts

Changes for Fixed-Term Employment Contracts

Changes to fixed-term Employment Contracts are in effect from 6 December.

Effective 6 December 2023, there are noteworthy changes to the Fair Work legislation concerning fixed-term Employment Contracts. It's crucial for all of us in the legal field, particularly those handling employment matters, to stay informed and prepared. Below is a summary of the changes and the updates we have made to the automated Employment Contract in Smarter Drafter. 

Key Changes You Need to Know:

  1. New Limits on Contract Duration: The era of extended fixed-term contracts is shifting. From 6 December these contracts are now limited to a maximum of two years, with other restrictions relating to renewals and extensions. This change aims to enhance job security and reduce uncertainty.
  2. Restriction on Consecutive Contracts: An important alteration is the limitation on successive fixed-term contracts. An employee can no longer be engaged in more than two consecutive contracts for identical or similar roles, barring specific exceptions. This move is designed to prevent the potential exploitation of short-term contracts.
  3. Mandatory Information Statements: Compliance with information dissemination becomes more stringent. Every employee, whether on a fixed term or otherwise, must receive the Fair Work Information Statement. Furthermore, those on fixed-term contracts require an additional Fixed Term Contract Information Statement, available from 6 December.

Updated Employment Contract

In response to these changes, we've updated our automated Employment Contract in Smarter Drafter. This ensures that any fixed-term contract generated through our platform adheres to the new legal framework, particularly regarding the duration of fixed-term agreements. The updated Employment Contract is available now. 

Fixed Fee Screen - Boarder

 

Guidance and Resources

While we have updated the contract and added onscreen guidance, for detailed information we always recommend that you review each contract individually and refer to Fair Work Australia's resources.