Our Editorial Process
FairWork Mate publishes articles and builds tools about Australian workplace law. Getting this right matters — people make real decisions about their pay, leave, and employment based on what they read here. This page explains how we produce and maintain our content.
How we research articles
Every article starts with the primary source. For workplace law that means the Fair Work Act 2009, the relevant Modern Award, or the specific ATO ruling. We do not summarise other blogs or news sites — we go to the legislation and the regulators first.
Writers cross-reference against Fair Work Ombudsman guidance, Fair Work Commission decisions, and ATO technical guidance before publication. Where dollar figures or rates appear, we link to the official source so readers can verify.
Fact-checking and updates
Australian workplace rates change at least annually — the minimum wage decision comes down each June, super rates are legislated on a schedule, and tax thresholds shift with indexation. We review rate-sensitive content after each Annual Wage Review and at the start of each financial year.
Our calculator tools display a "Last verified" date so you can see when the underlying data was last checked. If you spot something that looks wrong, email us — we take corrections seriously and update within 48 hours.
What we are not
We are not lawyers, and nothing on this site is legal advice. We do not replace the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified workplace relations professional. Our tools give estimates based on the NES and published award rates — individual circumstances, enterprise agreements, and state laws can all change the answer. When in doubt, call the FWO or get professional advice.
Meet our writers
Rachel Morrison
Senior Workplace Relations Writer · GradDip Employment Relations, Griffith University
Rachel spent nine years in HR advisory roles across retail and hospitality before moving into workplace compliance writing. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Employment Relations from Griffith University and has a particular interest in award interpretation and underpayment issues. Based in Brisbane.
Daniel Nguyen
Payroll & Compliance Editor · Registered BAS Agent, Cert IV Bookkeeping
Daniel worked in payroll management for a mid-size construction firm in Western Sydney for six years before joining FairWork Mate. He writes primarily about pay calculations, superannuation obligations, and employer compliance. He is a registered BAS Agent and holds a Cert IV in Bookkeeping.
Megan Cole
Leave & Entitlements Specialist · JD, Monash University
Megan is a former Fair Work Commission associate who spent four years supporting conciliation conferences and unfair dismissal hearings. She now writes about leave entitlements, termination, and employee rights. She completed her Juris Doctor at Monash University.
Tom Kirkwood
Small Business & Finance Writer · Former Small Business Owner, Cert IV in Small Business Management
Tom ran a landscaping business in regional Victoria for eight years and dealt first-hand with Modern Award complexity, BAS lodgements, and employing casuals. He writes about small business compliance, employer obligations, and finance topics from a practical operator's perspective.