Sadly, it is indeed legal (take a search o the internet on Aus employment law). The normal probationary period is as you state, 3 months, however it is quite legal to extend that probationary period for up to 12 months without cause or explanation. They can extend beyond the 12 months but at that time they will need a good reason.<div>
<br></div><div>You are also correct that it is normal to have a 3 month period and then that's all, however there are several reports where that has not happened. Sadly, not every manager or CEO is a leader. In the current climate, and with the current laws stipulating that no reason need be given, there are instances of employers abusing this. No, it's not common, but it does indeed happen and the current oversupply of really good people on the market allows them to do this without loss.<br clear="all">
<br>Steve Peacocke</div><div><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 8:19 AM, Jeremy North <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jeremy.north@gmail.com">jeremy.north@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
<div class="im">> There have been several instances, very real over here, where the employer<br>
> can hire a new employee and legally keep them on trial for up to a year,<br>
> then simply fire them without explanation and without any legal issues at<br>
> all, rather than pay contract rates. In one instance, the employer was able<br>
> to fire people within their 3 months and hire another employee from another<br>
> agency, rather than pay the agency fees.<br>
<br>
</div>That is not legal and not normal for contracts in Australia; and if<br>
someone signed a contract accepting a 12 month probationary period<br>
then they are a moron.<br>
<br>
It is normal for people to have a 3 month probationary period.<br>
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