Your practice’s team

If you are selling the practice to someone else, the new owner might employ some or all of your staff, but some of them may lose their employment. Encourage the new owner to keep as many as possible, as this can benefit not only the employees, but the new owner and your patients. 

If the practice is re-locating, none, some or all of your staff might move with you, and some staff may need support if they need to find other employment or adjust their working arrangements.

If the practice is closing completely, your staff’s employment will come to an end and you may need to offer them advice and support.

Whether you are transferring or closing your business, your employees have certain entitlements, to which you (and the new owner, if you are selling the business) must comply. If you are merging or re-locating, some of these requirements may still apply.

The requirements, which vary between states and territories, include:

• Notice period
• Paying out entitlements
• Redundancy
• Employment Termination Payments (ETPs)
• Registrars: Contact the relevant training provider so that you minimise disruption to registrars’ training

Contractors can generally be terminated without a process, however, contracts can be complex, so seek professional advice to confirm your contractual requirements and obligations.

During the change period, maintain good relationships with contractors and communicate with them frequently so they have sufficient notice of upcoming changes.