Well-drafted HR policies protect your business, set clear expectations for employees, and ensure compliance with Australian employment law. Yet many small and medium businesses operate with outdated or incomplete policy documentation.
The Essential Policy List
Every Australian business should have documented policies covering: (1) Code of Conduct, (2) Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity, (3) Bullying and Harassment, (4) Leave Management, (5) Work Health and Safety, (6) Grievance and Complaints Handling, (7) Performance Management, (8) Termination and Redundancy, (9) Social Media and Technology Use, and (10) Flexible Working Arrangements.
Why Policies Matter Legally
In unfair dismissal claims, the Fair Work Commission regularly examines whether the employer had clear policies, whether the employee was aware of them, and whether they were consistently applied. Without documented policies, defending a claim becomes significantly harder.
Keeping Policies Current
Employment law changes frequently. The Closing Loopholes reforms, right to disconnect provisions, and casual conversion changes all require policy updates. We recommend a full policy review at least annually.