This annual survey of significant court and tribunal decisions in Australia during 2020 considers matters spanning five thematic groupings. First, it addresses decisions that arose in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. Secondly, it examines how the common law has developed the National Employment Standards, particularly for low-paid and precariously employed workers, and general protections. Thirdly, it reviews cases concerning the definition of ‘employment’, emphasising that definition’s ongoing arbitrariness. Fourthly, it examines the development of the common law as it relates to the termination of employment, especially in the context of the exercise of academic freedom. Finally, decisions relating to the limits of industrial activity are reviewed.

这项针对2020年澳大利亚重大法院和法庭裁决的年度调查考虑了涵盖五个主题组的问题。首先，它解决了在冠状病毒大流行之后出现的决策。其次，它研究了普通法如何制定了《国家就业标准》，特别是针对低薪和不稳定雇员的国家就业标准以及一般保护。第三，它审查了有关“就业”定义的案例，强调了该定义的持续任意性。第四，它研究了与终止雇用有关的普通法的发展，特别是在行使学术自由的情况下。最后，审查与工业活动范围有关的决定。