Employment & Workplace Lawyers for NFPs & Charities
- Expert legal advice for NFP employment and workplace law.
- Guidance on contracts, policies, and Fair Work Act compliance.
- Strategic support for volunteers, employees, and contractors.
- Protecting your organisation from workplace disputes.
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Our Services
Comprehensive Employment Law Services for NFPs & Charities
LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants offers a complete suite of legal services to help your not-for-profit or charity navigate complex workplace laws. Our team of experienced NFP employment lawyers provides practical advice to support your organisation, ensuring compliance and helping you manage your people effectively.
1
Contracts and Policies for NFP Work Arrangements
We advise on and develop appropriate contracts and policies for all types of working arrangements, including employees, independent contractors, and volunteers, ensuring your NFP is compliant with the Fair Work Act and other workplace laws.
2
Workplace Dispute Resolution & Unfair Dismissal
Our team provides expert advice and representation for difficult people issues. We assist with performance management, bullying and discrimination claims, and defend against unfair dismissal actions to protect your organisation.
3
Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) Compliance
We help your NFP meet its Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) obligations. Our legal support includes advising on risk management procedures and workers’ compensation issues to ensure a safe environment for everyone involved with your organisation.
4
Investigations and Restructuring Support
We provide legal guidance for managing internal investigations into issues like misconduct or child protection. We also advise on the employment law implications of organisational restructuring, including mergers and acquisitions.
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Our clients trust LawBridge to provide clear, reliable & practical legal support.
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Our Tailored Approach to NFP Workplace Law
Our approach is centred on delivering practical legal solutions that empower your not-for-profit to manage its people confidently, meet complex workplace regulations, and stay focused on its mission.
Understanding Your Organisational Context
We begin by gaining a thorough understanding of your NFP’s mission, operational needs, and the nature of your workforce—including employees, volunteers, and contractors. This allows us to provide tailored employment law advice that aligns precisely with your unique organisational context and goals.
Developing Proactive Workplace Strategies
Our approach focuses on creating proactive, practical strategies to minimise workplace risk. We consider the Fair Work Act, WHS laws, and other NFP-specific regulations to develop compliant contracts and policies that address your organisation’s challenges and help prevent disputes before they arise.
Implementation and Dispute Resolution Support
We assist with implementing clear workplace policies and provide ongoing support to manage difficult people issues. When disputes such as unfair dismissal or discrimination claims occur, we provide robust representation to protect your organisation, manage risks, and seek a swift, effective resolution.
Why Choose LawBridge as Your NFP Employment Lawyer
Choosing the right legal partner is essential for navigating the complex employment landscape of the not-for-profit sector. LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants provides expert, tailored support to help NFPs and charities manage workplace issues with confidence.
Experienced NFP Employment Lawyers
Our team brings extensive legal expertise to the unique workplace challenges of the not-for-profit sector. We provide strategic advice on employment contracts, policies for volunteers and contractors, and compliance with the Fair Work Act and WHS laws.
Deep Understanding of NFP People Issues
LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants offers deep insight into managing difficult people issues in the NFP context. We advise on performance management, bullying and discrimination claims, and unfair dismissal, providing practical, up-to-date legal support aligned with your obligations.
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Team
Meet Our Dedicated NFP & Charity Law Team
The LawBridge team includes dedicated not-for-profit lawyers focused on providing exceptional legal support to charities and not-for-profit organisations. We understand the unique operational environment and legal complexities faced by the NFP sector.
Adam Jacobs
Partner & Co-Founder
Ramia Abdo Sultan
Partner & Co-Founder
Mohamad Kammoun
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
Comprehensive Not-for-Profit & Charity Law Services
LawBridge offers a comprehensive suite of legal services tailored to the specific needs of the not-for-profit (NFP) and charity sector.
NFP Governance & ACNC Compliance
Strengthen governance and meet ACNC requirements with legal advice on board duties, reporting, and regulatory obligations.
NFP Employment & Workplace
Navigate employment law confidently with guidance on hiring, contracts, workplace policies, disputes, and regulatory compliance.
Government Funding Agreements for NFPs
Understand and manage government funding contracts with legal support for obligations, compliance, and risk mitigation.
NFP Tax Concessions & DGR
Clear guidance on securing tax concessions and DGR status, with support for eligibility, applications, and compliance.
Charity Fundraising, Donations & Sponsors
Ensure your fundraising activities meet legal standards with advice on compliance, donor agreements, and fundraising regulations.
NFP & Charity Set-Up
Start strong with legal guidance on structure, registration, charitable status, and long-term compliance planning.
Charity Disputes & ACNC Investigations
Resolve internal and external disputes and respond to investigations with expert legal support tailored to charitable organisations.
NFP Mergers, Corporate Restructuring & Collaborations
Strategic legal advice for mergers, restructures, and partnerships that align with your mission and regulatory obligations.
NFP Intellectual Property
Protect your brand, content, and innovations with legal advice on trademarks, copyright, licensing, and IP strategy.
Property Lawyers for NFPs
Expert legal support for leasing, acquiring, and managing property assets aligned with your charitable objectives.
Charitable Trust & Foundations
Expert support for establishing and managing trusts and foundations, ensuring compliance, governance, and long-term charitable impact.
Social Enterprise for NFPs
Build sustainable impact with legal advice on hybrid models, income generation, governance, and regulatory compliance.
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Are Your NFP Employment Contracts Compliant?
Not-for-profit organisations have the same legal obligations as any employer. This means having legally compliant employment law contracts is not optional. Your contracts must correctly reflect employee entitlements under the Fair Work Act and relevant Awards, including wages, leave, and termination clauses.
Failing to have proper contracts in place creates significant risk, potentially leading to underpayment claims or disputes. As specialist NFP employment lawyers, we provide legal help to draft and review contracts, ensuring your organisation is protected and compliant from day one.
Legal Advice for Managing Volunteers and Contractors
A key challenge for the not-for-profit sector is correctly classifying workers. The legal distinction between an employee, a volunteer, and an independent contractor is complex, and misclassification can lead to serious legal and financial penalties.
Each type of worker has different rights and your organisation has different obligations. We provide clear legal advice on structuring these relationships, drafting volunteer and contractor agreements, and ensuring you meet all your legal obligations to avoid costly disputes.
How NFP Lawyers Help with Workplace Disputes and Unfair Dismissal
Workplace disputes, including claims of bullying, discrimination, or unfair dismissal, can be incredibly damaging to an NFP’s reputation and resources. Navigating these legal issues requires a sensitive but strategic approach to protect your organisation and its mission.
A charity lawyer can provide the crucial legal support needed to manage these disputes effectively. We offer expert guidance on performance management, internal investigations, and representation in tribunals, aiming for a swift and fair resolution that minimises disruption.
Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) for Your Charity Organisation
Every charity and not-for-profit organisation in Australia has a strict legal duty to provide a safe workplace for all workers, including employees and volunteers. This involves having robust WHS policies, providing adequate training, and actively managing risks.
Failure to meet your WHS obligations can result in significant penalties and harm to your people and reputation. Our legal service includes advising on WHS compliance and risk management procedures, helping your NFP build a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
Insights
Tap into LawBridge Insights & Updates
Stay informed with our latest thinking on legal developments, commercial challenges, and opportunities across the sectors we serve.
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Frequently Asked Questions About NFP Employment Law
LawBridge supports not-for-profits with clear employment guidance. Explore answers to common questions about hiring, compliance, and workplace rights.
Do employment laws apply to not-for-profit organisations?
Yes. Not-for-profit organisations have the same legal obligations as any for-profit employer. This includes complying with the Fair Work Act, modern awards, and workplace health and safety (WHS) laws.
What is the difference between an employee, a contractor, and a volunteer?
The legal distinction is complex and depends on the nature of the working relationship. An employee works in the organisation’s business, while a contractor runs their own business. A volunteer is not legally obliged to perform work and is not an employee.
Why is it important to classify workers correctly?
Wrongly classifying an employee as a contractor or volunteer can have serious legal consequences, including liability for unpaid wages, superannuation, leave entitlements, and potential penalties from regulators.
Do NFPs need formal employment contracts?
Yes. It is critical to have properly drafted, legally compliant employment contracts for all employees. These contracts should outline key terms and conditions and comply with the National Employment Standards (NES).
What are an NFP's obligations regarding unfair dismissal?
NFPs must follow fair and lawful processes when managing employee performance or terminating employment. Failing to do so can expose the organisation to an unfair dismissal claim at the Fair Work Commission.
What workplace policies should our NFP have?
NFPs should have a range of key policies, including a code of conduct, a work health and safety (WHS) policy, and policies on bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Depending on your work, child safety policies may also be essential.
Do WHS laws apply to volunteers?
Yes. Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) laws require an organisation to ensure the health and safety of all workers, which includes employees, contractors, and volunteers, so far as is reasonably practicable.
What are some common workplace disputes in the NFP sector?
Common disputes include unfair dismissal claims, allegations of bullying or discrimination, disagreements over employment conditions, and issues arising from performance management or disciplinary actions.
Can our NFP engage independent contractors?
Yes, but it is crucial to ensure the relationship is a genuine independent contracting arrangement. If the person is found to be an employee in reality, your organisation could be liable for employee entitlements.
Why do we need a specialist NFP employment lawyer?
The NFP sector has unique challenges, such as managing volunteers and contractors alongside employees. A specialist lawyer understands these complexities and can provide tailored advice on contracts, policies, and disputes to ensure compliance and protect your organisation.
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