Education

The sector has changed significantly in the last five years. Tertiary education's demand-driven funding model, a new school funding system and policy initiatives to increase access to preschools have swelled revenue. 

Our multi-disciplinary team knows the education sector and understands the regulatory environment and complex laws that govern it. We understand the nuances of the faith-based education sector in particular, and offer a core team of specialists who implement a values-based approach when assisting on all matters.

Our advice ranges from structuring and governance through to finance, property and construction, planning and approvals, commercial contracts, corporate acquisitions, foreign investment, intellectual property, insurance, and employment relations and safety matters.

We have extensive experience acting for educational institutions, in both an advisory and dispute resolution context, as well as a strong track record in defending educational institutions in litigated and non-litigated claims.

The eastern seaboard states comprise 80% of the sector’s enterprises, making our firm’s strong presence on the eastern seaboard an advantage for our clients. Several of our education lawyers are involved as board members of educational institutions and have practical insight into their governance and administration.

Our range of services includes advising on:

• employment, workplace health and safety, including teaching and non-teaching contracts, performance and conduct issues, inquiries, disciplinary matters, terminations and claims, child protection, admissions issues, discrimination, bullying and cyber bullying and safety (contractor management and safety management systems) 
• school infrastructure projects, from site identification, property acquisition, planning approvals, enforcement issues, construction, consultants’ agreements and project management agreements, to equipment supply and installation agreements
• commercial transactions, such as industry partner collaboration, research and development agreements, service agreements, commercial contracts, procurement contracts, technology contracts and licences, and cyber security
• reportable conduct
• duty of care
• governance and compliance, such as ACNC, regulatory and NFP obligations
• insurance, coverage and policy issues
• intellectual property, and
• state and federal discrimination complaints brought by parents of students, and historical and contemporary abuse claims.

We are thought leaders to the industry, regularly called upon to present at industry conferences, including The Education Network's Annual Schools Law and Regulatory Conference.

The different legal teams that comprise our education team are recognised in respected guides to Australia’s best lawyers including Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers in Australia.