Healthcare Employment Lawyer Melbourne

Employment law in the healthcare sector presents unique regulatory, contractual and reputational risks.

NorthBridge Legal advises medical practices, clinics, hospitals and healthcare organisations across Victoria on practitioner contracts, employment disputes, restraint of trade issues and workplace investigations.

Healthcare workplaces operate within a regulated environment. Employment decisions often intersect with AHPRA obligations, clinical governance and patient safety frameworks.

We provide commercially focused advice tailored to healthcare employers and practice owners.

Practitioner Contracts & Engagement Structures

Employment vs Contractor Arrangements in Healthcare

Healthcare businesses frequently engage practitioners as:

  • Employees

  • Independent contractors

  • Partners or equity holders

The classification of practitioners has significant implications for:

  • Payroll tax

  • Superannuation

  • Leave entitlements

  • Vicarious liability

  • Regulatory exposure

We advise on structuring compliant and commercially effective engagement models.

Termination of Healthcare Practitioners

Managing Termination Risk in Medical Practices

Termination decisions in healthcare settings can trigger:

  • Unfair dismissal claims

  • General protections claims

  • AHPRA notifications

  • Reputational risk

We advise on:

  • Risk assessment before termination

  • Procedural fairness

  • Drafting termination correspondence

  • Managing regulatory overlap

AHPRA Lawyer Melbourne
Employment Lawyer Melbourne

Restraint of Trade in Medical Practices

Enforcing Practitioner Restraints

Restraints of trade are critical in protecting goodwill and patient relationships.

Healthcare restraint clauses must be carefully drafted to:

  • Protect legitimate business interests

  • Remain enforceable under Victorian law

  • Balance regulatory considerations

We advise on drafting, reviewing and enforcing restraint provisions.

Workplace Investigations in Healthcare

Conducting Internal Investigations

Healthcare employers must manage allegations involving:

  • Clinical performance

  • Professional conduct

  • Bullying or harassment

  • Patient complaints

We advise on:

  • Structuring investigations

  • Procedural fairness

  • Managing suspension

  • Coordinating regulatory and employment strategy

Intersection with Regulatory Obligations

Employment matters in healthcare often overlap with:

  • Mandatory reporting obligations

  • AHPRA notifications

  • Governance and risk frameworks

Coordinated legal strategy is critical to avoid escalating regulatory exposure.

Mandatory Reporting Lawyer
Healthcare Lawyer Melbourne

Who We Act For

We advise:

  • General practice clinics

  • Specialist medical practices

  • Allied health businesses

  • Private hospitals

  • Healthcare executives

FAQ

Can a medical practice terminate a doctor without triggering AHPRA issues?

Termination decisions may interact with regulatory obligations. Legal advice should be sought before action is taken.

Are contractor doctors protected by employment law?

Classification depends on the factual arrangement and contractual terms.

Are restraint clauses enforceable against doctors?

Restraints must be carefully drafted and proportionate to be enforceable.

Do you advise healthcare employers only?

We primarily advise healthcare employers and practice owners in employment matters.

Healthcare employment disputes require a coordinated understanding of employment law and regulatory frameworks.

NorthBridge Legal provides strategic, sector-focused advice to healthcare organisations across Melbourne and Victoria.