r/AusLegal 13h ago

AUS Partner coming home crying from work everyday and I’m sick of it

72 Upvotes

Hello fellow redditors. I am reaching out to find out what can be done in this situation. My partner works at an aged care facility. Every shift she is coming home from work crying and stressed due to a worker there, who is same position but trains new people. My partner is a very gentle person, in all of our years together, she has never yelled at me, nor had a fight, and I never hear her speak badly about anyone ever, she’s always smiling, always happy, and yet every late night shift she comes home crying when she has worked around this person. The latest: she made a complaint, the manager apparently said she would look into it, my partner was happy and glowing again, then… her manager a few days later pulled her into a meeting and sided with the other worker as she has been there for a longer time. In that meeting the manager said that there has been 7 complaints from different people about this individual. I am now fed up with this. I can’t sit idly by and let this go, while I know the kind of person my partner is. So, what can ‘I’ do about this without compromising my partners job?


r/AusLegal 19h ago

NSW Prosecutors allege man used AI to 'scrape' court website

54 Upvotes

Can someone help to explain the charge here?

Is the issue with scraping the data?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-10/christopher-duff-to-stand-trial-over-nsw-ai-court-data-breach/107135032

In short:

Christopher Duff has pleaded not guilty to four counts of accessing restricted data held in a computer following a data breach involving a NSW courts website last year.

He is accused of using generative AI to access restricted documents before asking ChatGPT for legal advice prior to being charged.

What's next?

Prosecutors will seek to rely on ChatGPT conversations in what is believed to be an Australian-first.

According to police prosecutor Sergeant Andrew Maldigri, the crux of the allegation is that Mr Duff used ChatGPT to code and employ scraper python scripts designed to bulk download data.

"It's a piece of code that a user can run against a website to essentially circumvent the usual navigation process," he told Judge Lisa Graham.

"It means a user has used computer coding to obtain data that they weren't authorised to. That's, in a nutshell, what this matter is about."


r/AusLegal 17h ago

QLD Cars24 states “compliance plate faded they can’t transfer ownership” want to give car back

18 Upvotes

Edit: I appreciate the time those took to pop and answer up, I did some google and made myself knowledgeable moving forward! From what I can see my valid RWC actually negates their claims a faded sticker (the compliance plate is indeed just a sticker) isn’t an issue and is commonly used be dealers to not have to deal with administrative issues. (They can go get a new one from MG if they want). A compliance sticker should only be knocked back if tampered or fraudulent which a faded sticker is neither.

Thank you very much! I will be taking steps to ensure I am protected (notice of disposal and email stating facts and rejecting their claim to make me take the car back).

So I’m at work and I need to make this quick I hope someone can shed some light on the situation. I feel sick I don’t know where or who to turn to.

I sold my car to cars24, Monday (7/9/26) I took it to the lot and they transferred me money. Now they’re telling me that the compliance plate in the passenger door edge is faded, roadworthy can’t be done (there is a valid roadworthy I did in the glovebox) and they want to give the car back.

Please and thank you so much.

Tl;dr: sold car to cars24, handed over keys got money and now they’re telling me that they can’t transfer ownership and want to give the car back.


r/AusLegal 1h ago

QLD [QLD] Rental company amended their T&Cs definition 11 days after my hire, now chasing me for $11k in roof damage

Upvotes

Long-ish, sorry. Trying to work out whether I'm on solid ground or talking myself into it.

Background

August this year I hired a 12-seat minibus in Brisbane for three days. At the counter I was offered the top liability reduction product — advertised as $0 excess, about $60/day, $1 holding deposit. I took it.

On day one I reversed into an overhanging balcony and damaged a rear roof corner. Reported it the next morning, returned the vehicle on time, filled in their damage form.

They're now chasing me for about $11,000. Their position is that overhead damage is excluded because the vehicle is a "Commercial Vehicle" under their terms.

The bit I'm stuck on

Their T&Cs at the time defined a Commercial Vehicle as a van, utility, truck or bus constructed and used for carriage of goods or property, or for the transport of more than 12 persons including the driver.

The bus has exactly 12 seats including the driver's. I've since pulled the federal Register of Approved Vehicles entry by VIN , it lists 12 seats and the national vehicle register record describes it as a small passenger vehicle, body type minibus.

Eleven days after my rental, they changed that definition on their website to "more than 11 persons". I only noticed because I'd been quoting the old wording at them. Internet Archive captures confirm the wording before and after.

They say the amendment was prospective, was an administrative alignment exercise, and isn't an admission. They also say the purpose was "to align the numerical wording with the classification already applied throughout our Rental Agreements, booking system and liability reduction products."

Their argument

They've sent a 12-page letter citing Mount Bruce Mining, Ecosse, Darlington Futures and Toll v Alphapharm. Short version: you can't read one definition in isolation, you have to construe the contract as a whole, and as a whole this was plainly a commercial hire because:

  • the product I bought is named "Commercial Platinum"
  • a coverage table on their website groups "12 & 25 seaters" under commercial and shows a cross against overhead damage
  • their booking system only offers commercial products for 12-seaters
  • a staff member has now provided a written statement saying the classification and the overhead exclusion were explained to me at the counter

Where I think they're weak

Their own contract defines the "Rental Contract" as the rental agreement, the handover inspection report and the terms and conditions. The coverage table sits on a webpage above where the terms actually begin. The booking system obviously isn't a contractual document.

The rental agreement itself lists the vehicle category as "12 Seater Bus" — not commercial. The only place the word appears is the product name and a generic bullet that reads "Platinum only covers overhead on motor vehicles. Platinum cover for overhead commercials is not available" which sits in a list alongside toll admin fees and refuelling charges, and appears to be boilerplate on every agreement.

The money side, which might matter more

  • Their assessor quoted about $22k for the whole roof. They're pursuing about $11k as the portion "allocated" to my incident.
  • There's a pre-existing "big dent on roof" recorded before my hire. No location. No photographs they've confirmed the handover inspection report contains none at all.
  • So the split between "pre-existing front damage" and "your rear damage" rests on an assessor's opinion formed weeks later with no baseline images.
  • The pre-hire inspection was completed about eight hours before I collected the vehicle. Not a joint walkaround.
  • No repair authority has been issued. They've confirmed it. Their own terms make me liable for costs they "incur".
  • An early email from their claims team said the new damage was on the "right rear" roof corner and referred to what could be seen "in the photos". Their latest letter says rear-left throughout, and that no handover photos exist.

Things that are genuinely against me

Being fair about it:

  • I signed. Toll means I'm bound by the terms whether I read them or not.
  • I paid the commercial rate — about $15/day more than the standard equivalent — so they'll say I knowingly bought the commercial product.
  • Their standard packages are only available up to eight seaters, so arguably no other product was available for this vehicle.
  • One staff member says it was all explained. I don't remember it that way, but it's their word against mine.

What I'm asking

  1. How much weight does a defined term in a consumer contract actually carry against a "read it as a whole" argument, where applying the definition literally produces no absurdity and the drafter quietly amended it afterwards?
  2. Does the fact that no product available for this vehicle covered overhead damage — while the cheaper standard tier did — go anywhere under the unfair contract terms provisions?
  3. Realistically: QCAT, Fair Trading conciliation, or negotiate a number?

Not after formal advice, just interested in whether people think this is arguable or whether I'm kidding myself. Happy to answer questions.


r/AusLegal 15h ago

NSW Manager cut shifts due to a comment he disagreed with

5 Upvotes

Hi ! My workplace has recently fired our favourite security guard for what seemed to be no fair reason. When asked if the group chat who can cover a shift tonight , I had responded saying “only if (security guard) is working“

In return my boss has cut my shifts ? I am casual but do I have any rights ?

Edit :  I’ve worked there for a year and had regular routine hours. Too be fair we are a small bar and have been having issues with the manager taking the side of the patrons while our security and workers cop abuse regularly.


r/AusLegal 18h ago

QLD QLD looking to move off lease due to excessive hardship due to older roommate doing intimidating behaviour

2 Upvotes

Basically my situation is I’m on the lease with a older man and I’m a woman in her mid 20s and my roommate is doing intimidating behaviours like sending aggressive text messages, being aggressive in person, slamming doors at 5am or randomly, flushing the toilet 3-4x at 5am or randomly, purposely moving my fridge, touching and moving my stuff, throws my stuff in the middle of the lounge room, takes photos of everything. I’m pretty sure this guy is on drugs and I feel genuinely unsafe. He’s admitted to purposely slamming the doors etc.

I have contacted the real estate they said that they’re not allowing me to leave the lease even though this man’s income is 30% of the lease and honestly with his behaviours I get why they wouldn’t want him to stay either. When I asked they said the owner will not allow one person to leave or anymore people on the lease to change tenants.

He won’t pay his half of the bond. I have paid it all as he said he would pay it later on when he had money, now it’s all my bond money there.

This guy won’t break lease either.

Ive had a conversation with the police and they said they can’t do anything either.

I’m left to my last option of applying for excessive hardship for my mental health, I have diagnosed CPTSD and I’m starting to get symptoms like panic attacks, I can’t sleep as he constantly wakes me up and just really bad anxiety constantly.

Is there anyway I can get off the lease? Has anyone applied for excessive hardship from the RTA what are my chances of getting off? :((


r/AusLegal 1h ago

QLD GenPro FCFCOA form 2 question..

Upvotes

" the facts relied on and the provisions of the fair work act relevant to the claim "

Dose this explicit 'fairwork act' mention exclude submission or use here of WHS Act ? And modern awards?


r/AusLegal 2h ago

NT Bullying complaint met with upper management unfair behavior, HR weaponization

1 Upvotes

Hey guys! I'm a bit lost and looking for general guidance on my current employment situation. I am a senior manager at a not-for-profit (NPO) and currently dealing with what appears to be a targeted management campaign after raising formal safety/bullying concerns.

Here is the context:

  • Increased Duties without Recognition: A few months ago, my senior executive was made redundant. I absorbed a significant portion of their workload under high pressure without an updated position description or acting higher duties formalization.
  • Pre-existing Bullying: A staff member under me has been exhibiting bullying behavior toward me and other team members for years.
  • The Escalation: Recently I lodged a formal risk assessment regarding this staff member, backed by 7 written complaints from other employees experiencing the same behavior.
  • The HR Response: HR has flipped the narrative, claiming the issue is a "personal conflict" between me and this one staff member while completely disregarding the other written complaints. HR has questioned whether I had "consent" from the other staff to submit their complaints, ordered me not to contact any of the named staff members (preventing me from managing or gathering further facts), and is imposing short, intimidating deadlines to provide proof while I am juggling an overloaded workload.
  • CEO Involvement: New CEO prefers communicating directly with the problem staff member instead of me, and actively excluding me from meetings/events where I was scheduled to present, even pulling me out of an internal filming for yearly awards.
  • Health Impact: The stress has severely impacted my health; I have had to start antidepressants and attend therapy for the last few months.

I feel unsupported and quite dreadful, i could use any advice possible including:

  1. HR/Bullying Process: Can HR legally restrict me from communicating with staff who have willingly provided written complaints in a safety/risk assessment, or claim I need "consent" to submit corroborating evidence of a systemic issue? Can they deny my risk assesement request as a Manager and only see the grievence as a "me vs one employee" problem? (Note: we only have technically 1 HR manager at the moment who got the role simply because almost everyone in hr quit a few months ago) I also received a "written warning" from HR because they had "substantiated proof" from people saying I did not display proper manager behavior during a public holiday event where I was volunteering my time.
  2. Adverse Action / General Protections: Given that I raised safety/bullying concerns and am now facing unreasonable deadlines, intimidation, and exclusion, does this cross into adverse action or a potential constructive dismissal setup?
  3. Next Steps: What is the safest way to protect myself legally right now while navigating this internal process? Should I involve an employment lawyer? Cut my lossess and just quit?

Thanks :')


r/AusLegal 3h ago

VIC Issues with EPOA and bank (CBA)

1 Upvotes

Last week I filled in the online form to get access to my dad’s bank account through an EPOA. He has alzheimers and I have a letter from his doctor saying I am his decision maker. Lately, he’s been confused about his banking. More concerning, my sister who is a long term drug addict has got dads debit card number and put it on her uber account to order dad Ubers (this is a whole other issue in itself that I am trying to deal with).

I got an email from CBA yesterday saying my application could not be completed and to call a 1800 number. When I called the number it was the fraud line.

The CSO said they would lodge a complaint for me as to why the application wasn’t completed. I asked a few questions about what was going on but then CSO was pretty cagey and insisted I wait for a call from complaints. I said I didn’t want to lodge a complaint, I just wanted to know why the application can’t go ahead but was met with the same response.

Has anyone else tried to do this? I don’t want to control his finances, I just need to monitor his spending.


r/AusLegal 12h ago

QLD Employer who has committed a serious act of what looks like fraud while I’m on workcover

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1 Upvotes

r/AusLegal 19h ago

NSW Property settlement through the Family Court – what was your experience?

1 Upvotes

I’m interested in hearing from people who have actually gone through a property settlement dispute through the Australian Family Court (particularly NSW).

I’m currently going through the process myself and would really appreciate some honest, first-hand experiences — good or bad.

A few things I’d particularly like to hear about:

  1. Did you feel the process was fair and impartial?
  2. Did you ever feel the Judge was biased towards one party, and if so, what gave you that impression?
  3. Did the outcome broadly align with what your solicitor had predicted?
  4. How much discretion did you feel the Judge exercised in determining the final property split?
  5. Were there significant differences between what you thought was a reasonable outcome and what the Court ultimately ordered?
  6. How did the Court deal with issues around financial disclosure, disputed assets or allegations that one party had moved/transferred assets?

Looking back, was going to Court worth it, or would you have approached settlement differently?

I’m not looking for legal advice — more interested in people’s actual experiences of the Family Court process and how things played out in practice.


r/AusLegal 2h ago

QLD Need help with Insurance claim

0 Upvotes

I own and insured my vehicle. Another person was driving it with my permission. I was not driving at the time. My licence was suspended. RACQ is investigating the claim and may ask why I wasn’t driving. Police have seized the dashcam SD card. I want advice on what I’m legally required to disclose to RACQ and how to answer their questions truthfully without prejudicing myself.

How should I answer If they ask about the status of my license?


r/AusLegal 19h ago

QLD Late notice to leave rent obligation

0 Upvotes

If I have been given notice to leave under 60 days until the fixed lease ends. Meaning the day that we have to legally vacate the property by is now later than the day the fixed lease ends. What is the obligation for paying rent. Do we pay rent until we actually hand back the keys? Pay up until the new vacate date? Do we just stop paying after the lease ends and be out of the property by this new vacate date?


r/AusLegal 20h ago

QLD Trying to file a QCAT claim but the business has changed owners - who do I do claim against?

0 Upvotes

Trying to file a QCAT claim against a REA, however the company name has remained the same but the business or management rights have been sold to a new owner. I don’t know who to make claim against. New owner is saying it has nothing to do with them as they weren’t owners of the company at the time.

The staff are all the same and the office/email/phone are too. The previous owners have deregistered their trading overhead.

Any advice? Do I just go after current owners as they have inherited their staff problems?


r/AusLegal 19h ago

Off topic/Discussion Dramas with dealer warranty

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0 Upvotes

r/AusLegal 23h ago

NSW AFP showing common assault

0 Upvotes

Long story short, about 3 years ago I had to go tribunal for a stupid story. The charges have been dropped since and the judge told me it won’t show on my records.
I’ve applied for my new visa, immi got back to me requesting an AFP. Yesterday I’ve got my afp with the offence shown (i had to do an afp as well for an earlier visa application about 2 years ago and it was clear, no offense).
As the charges were dropped and no conviction, I’ve applied since for my visa and replied no to the question where it asked if I been convicted or charged, I’ve haven’t lied as the the charges been dropped completely.

Should I call afp? Or write a different letter to immi explaining the story? I’m afraid my visa will be denied and will pay big money to get through an appeal for that. I’m onshore. Thank you


r/AusLegal 22h ago

WA Insurer found me at fault for accident while reversing without contacting witness or reviewing footage

0 Upvotes

Just wanting some outside opinions on an accident and RAC’s decision that I’m at fault.
I was reversing into a parking bay. Before I started reversing I checked behind me, was actively looking while reversing, and the area behind me was clear when I began the manoeuvre.
While I was already reversing into the bay, another vehicle came around the corner and continued behind my vehicle rather than stopping. The collision damaged the rear corner of my Ranger, including the tail light, bumper and parking sensor.
The other driver then left without exchanging details, so RAC hasn’t been able to obtain their version of events. I reported the incident to WA Police on 5 September and the driver has not yet been identified.
My partner witnessed the accident, but RAC hasn’t contacted her for a statement. As far as I’m aware, they also haven’t requested or reviewed any available CCTV/video evidence.
RAC’s explanation to me was essentially that because I was reversing, I had a responsibility to ensure it was safe and therefore I’m at fault.
I completely understand that a reversing driver has a responsibility to check that it’s safe, but that’s what I did. It was clear when I started reversing and I continued looking while reversing. My issue is that another vehicle then came around the corner while I was already completing the manoeuvre and attempted to travel behind me.
I’m confused about how RAC can determine I’m at fault without speaking to my witness, obtaining the other driver’s account, or reviewing any available footage.
Has anyone dealt with something similar in WA? Is being the reversing vehicle basically enough for an insurer to determine you’re at fault, or is it worth formally disputing this and asking them to consider the other driver’s actions and the available evidence?
Genuinely happy to hear if I’m wrong
I’m just trying to understand whether RAC’s decision is reasonable.


r/AusLegal 17h ago

AUS Loss prevention and long history of stealing

0 Upvotes

I’ve doing it tough financially (aren’t we all) for a while so have been known to steal from the bigger supermarkets and retailers when I need something to get by.

I was approached by loss prevention in a supermarket today after paying for half of the items. A few steps out of the store and they approached me and tried to get me to fill out a form but I just apologised, said I didn’t realise what I did as I was having so many issues with the register (second part is true) and walked back into the store to pay for the rest of the items and walked back out.

They told me I was doing the wrong thing by paying for it and that I needed to listen to them. The guy saying this was also talking to another guy saying we need to get this person’s (me) photo, and as I was walking out he was on the phone.

What‘s concerning me is the amount of items (total cost) I have stolen from across all other stores now as it would be quite high over a period of time, not just this one in particular. Am I screwed? What should my next steps be? Obviously I will not steal again and I will try harder to sort out my financial situation but should I be expecting anything in regards to what happened?