Complete Guide to Legal Documents in Australia

Australia operates under a federal common law system derived from English legal tradition. Federal legislation sets minimum standards, while states and territories enact supplementary laws covering contracts, property, and tenancies.

The Fair Work Act 2009 establishes the National Employment Standards (NES), providing 11 minimum entitlements including maximum weekly hours, parental leave, annual leave, and notice of termination. Modern Awards and Enterprise Agreements may provide additional protections above the NES.

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL), contained in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, provides comprehensive consumer protections including statutory guarantees for goods and services that cannot be excluded by contract.

Each state has its own Residential Tenancies Act governing landlord-tenant relationships. Bond schemes, notice periods, and rent increase limitations differ across jurisdictions. Most states require bonds to be lodged with a government authority.

Electronic signatures are recognized under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (federal) and equivalent state legislation. Most contracts can be validly executed electronically, though some documents like wills require physical signatures and witnessing.