Enforcing Work Law (LAWS70197)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
October
Teaching staff:
John Howe (Subject Coordinator)
Tess Hardy
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | October |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject addresses the important topic of how compliance with work law (including minimum labour rights and standards, work health and safety regulation and equality law) can be achieved through a variety of actors and mechanisms. It also considers the challenge of enforcement of work law generally, and in the context of different business models, including supply chains, franchise networks and the gig economy. Although the primary focus of the subject will be on the Australian system of labour regulation, examples from other jurisdictions and international mechanisms will also be examined.
Indicative list of principal topics:
- The institutions and actors that regulate work, including minimum employment standards, occupational health and safety regulation, and equality law
- The role of regulated organisations, including unions and employer associations, in promoting and securing compliance with work law
- Information, detection and monitoring of work law
- The legal processes, mechanisms and sanctions relating to enforcement of work law by regulators, employees, unions and other actors
- The role of courts and tribunals in determining relief, remedies and sanctions in the context of work law
- Emerging issues and innovative approaches in regulating and enforcing labour standards and working conditions, including the protection of vulnerable workers (such as migrants, young workers and casual employees), and the enforcement in the context of different business models such as supply chains, franchise networks and the gig economy
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject should be able to:
- critically examine and analyse the different mechanisms of enforcement of work laws , including recent developments in this field of law and practice
- participate in debates around emerging and contemporary issues in employment law, such as the challenge of enforcement of labour standards in the context of different business models
- generate critical and creative ideas relating to the enforcement of work laws, and to critically evaluate existing legal theories, especially regulation theory, with creativity and autonomy
- research and assess existing and emerging legal issues relating to compliance with and enforcement of labour rights and standards in the workplace
Generic skills
- Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding compliance with and enforcement of work laws to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Be able to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of compliance with and enforcement of work laws.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are taught at an advanced graduate level and requires a thorough background in common law. While efforts are made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, teaching and assessment activities are designed to give an advanced and integrated understanding of the discipline of law for legal practitioners, learners and researchers.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Assessment 1: Class Participation | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Take-home examination
| 5-8 December 2025 | 90% |
| Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance. Note: the attendance hurdle does not apply when the subject is delivered online, however attendance at all live online sessions is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Students must choose assessment from the options listed above. If an option contains parts, all parts must be completed if that option is chosen.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- October
Principal coordinator John Howe Coordinator Tess Hardy Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 34 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 29 September 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 27 October 2025 to 31 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 3 October 2025 Census date 31 October 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 December 2025 Assessment period ends 9 January 2026 October contact information
Teaching staff:
John Howe (Subject Coordinator)
Tess Hardy
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment, subject quotas and waitlists.
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If subject coordinator approval is required, or for further information about Community Access Program study, please contact us
(enquiries for current students | enquiries for prospective students).
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025