Key facts
UNE unit code: LAW308
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
This is an advanced unit of study that delves further into individual issues within employment law.
You will examine a variety of social issues from a legal perspective. These include the development of Australian employment law, unionisation within and casualisation of the Australian workforce, the notions of ‘employer’ and ‘contractor’ and alternative modes for the performance of work and their regulation and implied terms, as well as the scope of employer and employee duties.
You will also explore the distribution of opportunity at work, including employee entitlements, leave arrangements and anti-discrimination, as well as legal regimes that promote work-life balance and issues surrounding termination of employment at common law and statute.
Throughout, you will build transferable critical thinking, legal reasoning and analytical skills.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- develop an appreciation of the complexity of the relationship between industrial law and the economic and political imperatives that shape it;
- apply major statutory regimes to construct creative and independent responses to issues relating to employment, including enterprise bargaining, awards, unfair dismissal and unfair contracts;
- use initiative and judgement to critically analyse the case law relating to rights and duties under a contract of service and a contract for services in a wide range of contexts; and
- evaluate and integrate the disciplinary content to communicate and collaborate on persuasive legal arguments.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | Yes | 40% | All offerings | Written Assessment No. Words: 2000 |
| Online Assessment | No | 10% | All offerings | No. Words: 500 |
| Take Home Examination | Yes | 50% | All offerings |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Employment Law: Concepts and Cases
ISBN: 9780409344691
van der Waarden, N., LexisNexis 4th 2017
Text refers to: All offerings
Macken's Law of Employment
ISBN: 9780455502380
O'Grady, P., Riley, J., Sappideen, C., Thomson Reuters 9th 2022
Text refers to: All offerings
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Studying online
At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.
We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*
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