HR Consultant for Queensland Businesses
Running a business in Queensland means navigating federal workplace law plus state-specific compliance that many owners underestimate, including QLeave, WorkCover, the 2023 psychosocial safety regulations, and the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld). Brookvale HR Solutions provides senior HR consulting for Queensland businesses. Daniel Holbrook works directly with business owners and managers from Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, and travels regularly to regional centres throughout the state, from South East Queensland through to North Queensland, the Darling Downs, and Central Queensland.
Services delivered to Queensland businesses include workplace investigations, HR policies and compliance, employee management, ongoing HR support, and pay and award compliance. Every engagement is delivered by Daniel personally. There are no junior handoffs. You get a senior HR consultant with an MBA, Certificate IV in Government Investigations, and Certificate IV in WHS, backed by practical experience across dozens of industries.
Learn more about Daniel's background and approach on the About page.
Queensland's HR Landscape
Queensland employers operate under a combination of federal workplace laws and state-specific legislation that creates compliance obligations many businesses underestimate. While the Fair Work Act and National Employment Standards apply across Australia, Queensland has its own legislative framework that affects how employers manage people.
Portable Long Service Leave
Queensland operates sector-specific portable long service leave schemes covering building and construction, contract cleaning, and community services, administered by QLeave. The schemes are established under three separate Acts: the Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Act 1991 (Qld), the Contract Cleaning Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Act 2005 (Qld), and the Community Services Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Act 2020 (Qld). Employers in these sectors must register with QLeave and make contributions on behalf of eligible workers. Many businesses operating across state borders are unaware this obligation exists until an audit or employee query surfaces it. Refer to QLeave for registration and contribution requirements.
Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld)
Queensland's anti-discrimination legislation covers a broad range of protected attributes, some of which overlap with federal law and some of which do not. Gender identity, sexuality, and family responsibilities are protected under both the Queensland Act and the federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth). Attributes protected under the Queensland Act but not found in the Sex Discrimination Act include political belief or activity, trade union activity, and association with a person identified by an attribute. Employers must ensure their policies, recruitment processes, and workplace culture comply with both federal and Queensland-specific protections.
Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
Queensland adopted the harmonised WHS legislation, and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland actively enforces psychosocial safety obligations. Since 1 April 2023, Queensland employers have been required to identify and manage psychosocial hazards under the Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice 2022, sitting alongside general WHS duties. Brookvale HR Solutions' Psychosocial Safety Guard is designed specifically to help businesses meet these requirements.
Workers' Compensation
WorkCover Queensland operates the state's workers' compensation scheme. Queensland employers must hold a WorkCover policy and understand their obligations around injury notification, rehabilitation, and return-to-work planning. Refer to WorkSafe Queensland for policy and claims information.
Payroll Tax
Queensland's payroll tax threshold is $1.3 million in annual Australian taxable wages, with a rate of 4.75% (or 4.95% for businesses with taxable wages over $6.5 million). A Mental Health Levy of 0.25% applies to the portion of Queensland taxable wages above $10 million in Australian taxable wages, with an additional 0.5% applying on the portion above $100 million (0.75% in total on that highest band). Employers approaching the $10 million threshold should factor the levy into payroll tax planning. Employers engaging contractors or operating across multiple states also need to understand grouping provisions and nexus rules that determine where payroll tax is payable. The Queensland Revenue Office publishes current thresholds, rates, and registration requirements.
The HR Compliance Audit identifies the gaps a regulator would find.
- Contracts
- Policies
- Award compliance
- WHS obligations
How Brookvale HR Solutions Works with Queensland Businesses
For businesses in Brisbane and South East Queensland, Daniel is available for face-to-face meetings and onsite visits. The HR Manager retainer plan includes a monthly onsite visit as standard, with additional onsite days available at $1,500 per day. For businesses across the rest of Queensland, every service Brookvale HR Solutions delivers works effectively via phone, video, and secure document sharing. Daniel is a Certificate IV qualified investigator (former Military Police Officer) and travels regularly to regional centres including Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, and Toowoomba for workplace investigations, onsite compliance reviews, and management coaching. Distance is not a barrier to getting senior-level HR support. For businesses outside Queensland, the areas Daniel serves page sets out how remote delivery works nationally.
Industry Experience Across Queensland
Queensland's economy spans a broad range of industries, each with distinct HR challenges. Tourism and hospitality dominate the Gold Coast and Far North Queensland. Mining, resources, agriculture, and defence (particularly Townsville's garrison and associated supply chain) are significant employers in Central and North Queensland. South East Queensland is home to a growing professional services, education, and construction sector. Brookvale HR Solutions has worked across all of these industries and understands how award structures, workforce composition, and compliance risks vary between them.
Engagement options range from ad-hoc support at $250 per hour through to retainer plans starting at $1,000 per month. Fixed-fee products including the HR Compliance Audit, Workplace Foundations Package, and Wage Compliance Audit are available to Queensland businesses regardless of location. For Queensland businesses managing pay compliance, the Wage Compliance Audit covers award classification, pay rate accuracy, and entitlement calculations. View the full range of services and products and pricing. For businesses considering an ongoing HR advisory arrangement, explore the fractional HR model or ongoing HR support options. Not sure which engagement suits your business? Call Daniel on 1300 23 44 23 or book a free 30-minute strategy call.
Pay-as-you-go sense-check
- One-off sense-checks on difficult decisions
- Preparation for a difficult conversation
- Second opinion on a contract clause
- Decision stress-testing before you act
Regular HR advice
- 5 hours of HR consulting per month
- 2.5-hour rollover for unused time
- Additional hours at $250/hr
- Practical option without an in-house HR hire
Embedded senior HR resource
- 20 hours of dedicated HR consulting
- One onsite visit per month
- Comprehensive HR Compliance Audit at commencement
- Additional hours at $250/hr
Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
What clients say about working with Daniel
“We recently worked with Brookvale HR Solutions to conduct a full HR audit, implement a new HR and safety policy suite, and resolve a difficult employee performance issue. Dan made the whole process straightforward, gave very practical advice, and ensured we were compliant at every step. We're now much clearer and more confident in how we manage our team, and we feel our HR and safety foundations are in a much stronger position. We will continue working with Dan and the team for all our HR needs and highly recommend them to any business needing HR support.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions on Queensland-specific obligations and engaging Daniel from anywhere in the state.
Ready to talk about your Queensland business's HR needs?
Book a free 30-minute strategy call with Daniel. No cost, no obligation, no lock-in contracts.