CONFERENCE | SYDNEY & Online
Mental Health & Employment Law Conference
Legal obligations for psychosocial risks, mental health & employment law
Tuesday 27 October 2026 | 6 CPD points
The Thomson Reuters Mental Health & Employment Law Conference returns on 27 October 2026 in Sydney and Online - bringing together leading employment lawyers and workplace specialists to give you practical, legally grounded strategies for one of the most challenging areas in HR today.
Employer liability for psychiatric injury is expanding. Psychosocial safety obligations are tightening. And HR leaders are increasingly expected to manage complex mental health risks while staying on the right side of the law.
You'll leave with clarity on your obligations and the confidence to act - whether you're navigating a mental health-related termination, managing a hybrid workforce, responding to a regulator, or developing policies that actually hold up.
We look forward to you joining us.
Date
Tuesday 27 October 2026
Time
9 am - 5 pm AEDT
Location
Sydney & online
Standard pricing
$1,099 excl. GST
Early Bird pricing*
$999 excl. GST
Online pricing
$949 excl. GST
*Early bird pricing ends 11 September 2026
6 hours live and online
Earns 6 CPD points
Why attend
A clear, current understanding of your WHS and psychosocial safety obligations - and how regulators are enforcing them
Practical frameworks for managing mental health risks in terminations, investigations and flexible work disputes
Guidance on reasonable adjustments, positive duty and drug and alcohol policy that is both legally sound and workable
Insight into where the law is heading - so you can get ahead of emerging risks before they become costly ones
The opportunity to connect with peers and specialists navigating the same challenges
Who should attend
Human Resource Directors
People & Culture Managers
Human Resources Managers and Advisors
In-house Counsel
Employee Relations Managers
HR Business Partners
Employment Lawyers
Wellbeing Managers
Health and Safety, WHS and OHS Managers
Speakers
Adam Foster
Partner, Colin Biggers & Paisley
Alana Rafter
Senior Associate, Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors
Brett Feltham
Senior Consultant, Mallesons
Gella Rips
Director & Principal, Workdynamic Australia
James Mattson
Partner, Bartier Perry
Hilary Searing
Partner, Clayton Utz
Michael Starkey
Senior Associate, Baker McKenzie
Seamus Burke
Partner | Workplace, Sparke Helmore Lawyers
Sina Zevari
Partner, Emplawyer
Stephanie Lambros
Senior Associate, HWLE Lawyers
Event agenda
Please note: Agenda subject to change
Registration [ Opens at 8:30 am ]
9 am - 9:05 am
Welcome from Conference Chair
9:05 am - 9:45 am
Identifying and managing psychosocial hazards and WHS compliance
9:45 am - 10:25 am
Remote & hybrid work and psychosocial risk - Safeguarding mental health in hybrid environments
Networking and refreshment break [ 25 mins ]
10:50 am - 11:30 am
Workplace bullying & harassment: Managing risk beyond office hours
11:30 am - 12:10 pm
SafeWork Update - How the regulator is approaching psychosocial hazards
Lunch and networking break [ 50 mins ]
1 pm - 1:40 pm
Reasonable adjustments & flexible working - Applying foundational principles to mental health at work
1:40 pm - 2:20 pm
Workplace investigations involving mental health - Managing grievances and complications effectively
2:20 pm - 3 pm
Termination & unfair dismissal - Managing mental health risks
Networking and refreshment break [ 20 mins ]
3:20 pm - 4 pm
Drug & Alcohol Policy - Practical considerations for a legally sound approach
4 pm - 4:40 pm
Positive duty & workplace sexual harassment prevention
Closing remarks from the Chair and end of conference
Frequently asked questions
We recommend selecting your preferred format at registration - Sydney in-person or online attendance. If your circumstances change closer to the date, please contact us at eventsanz@thomsonreuters.com to discuss your options.
Absolutely. The program is specifically designed to bridge legal knowledge with practical HR application, meaning HR professionals, people managers and WHS specialists will find the content directly usable in day-to-day workplace situations - no legal background required.
Yes - the day includes two dedicated networking and refreshment breaks plus a lunch break, giving in-person attendees meaningful time to connect with peers and specialists facing the same workplace challenges.
Not to worry! Even if you're unable to attend on the day, you can still register for the online event and receive access to the full recordings afterwards. This means you can watch the sessions at a time that suits you and your schedule — whether that's the evening after the event or over the coming days.
You can register via the Register Now button on this page. For any event enquiries, contact the Thomson Reuters events team at eventsanz@thomsonreuters.com.
Stay ahead of employment law changes and practical strategies for HR managers
Contact us
Attendee inquiries: eventsanz@thomsonreuters.com
Sponsorship enquiries:
david.lewis3@thomsonreuters.com