Our Childcare and early learning team deliver specialist legal services to domestic and international clients based on a deep understanding of the sector's compliance, funding and regulatory issues. These issues impact buyers, regulators and operators of centre-based day care, including long day care, occasional care, preschools and kindergartens.

We are leaders in best practice with expertise in acquisitions, consolidations and restructures, defending class action claims, and other corporate transactions. Our team have a genuine passion for the sector. They are committed to providing clients with tailored solutions to help them navigate the unique challenges and opportunities arising from ongoing changes and unprecedented disruptions within the sector.

Get in touch with Deanna McMaster

SCHOOLS

Our Schools team provide legal services to government and independent schools. This experience has provided us with sector-leading insights into best practice and emerging issues and a deep understanding of the policy, operational and regulatory environment within which our clients operate. We can help clients to navigate the unique challenges and issues impacting government and independent schools across Australia.

We advise on matters including child protection investigations, discrimination of students and staff, enrolment and parent disputes, and safety and wellbeing. Our team has experience in the full range of employment and governance matters, including the particular duty of care and OHS issues commonly arising within a school environment.

Our Vocational education and training team assists registered training organisations, including TAFEs, with all aspects of the regulatory framework. They advise and represent concerning audits, compliance and other regulatory and legal action by the Australian Skills Quality Authority, the Commonwealth Department of Education, State departments of education and training and other regulatory bodies.

We have experience assisting our clients in avoiding tuition assurance breaches, dealing with multiple concurrent regulatory interventions and proceedings, entering the sector and facilitating wind-downs and exits from the sector. Our team can help clients develop strategies to maximise returns on legacy VET FEE-HELP assets while limiting reputational impacts on other parts of the business.

Get in touch with Kylie Diwell

HIGHER EDUCATION

Our Higher education team provide specialist legal services based on an in-depth understanding of the complex, unique and high-risk issues facing clients within the sector. Most Australian universities, the peak public and private industry associations, and leading independent higher education providers engage the team on a broad range of sector-specific issues.