Getting more help
If you need more help with your employment dispute or issue, call LawAccess NSW on
1300 888 529.
You can also visit the
LawAccess NSW website. LawAccess NSW is a free government telephone service that provides legal information, referrals and, in some cases, advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW.
There are many other organisations and services that can help people that have been dismissed from their employment or who have not been paid their wages or entitlements.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is an independent agency that investigates whether national workplace laws, awards and enterprise agreements are being complied with.
The FWO can give you free information and advice on pay, conditions, workplace rights and the obligations of employers and employees.
You can request assistance from the FWO if you think you are not being paid the right amount, or have not received the payments you are entitled to. The FWO can arrange mediation and in some cases investigate incidents involving serious non-compliance.
To contact the FWO, you can:
Fair Work Commission
The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) is the national employment tribunal. A tribunal is similar to a court. The Commission makes awards (which set out the minimum pay and conditions for employees in Australia). The Commission also resolves disputes between employers and employees through conciliation, mediation and arbitration.
If you want to make an unfair dismissal or general protections dismissal application, you need to file your application with the Commission.
If you have a dispute with your employer about your pay or entitlements, you may be able to make an application to the Commission.
If you have a question about getting forms or the progress of your application, you should contact the Commission. To contact the Commission, you can:
If you want to contact the Commission about making an unfair dismissal or general protections dismissal application it is a good idea to call the Commission. If you make an online enquiry it may be several days before you get a response.
If you want to look at:
- the Fair Work Act, Fair Work Regulations or the Fair Work Australia Rules, see
Legislation & regulations on the Fair Work Commission website - an award, see Find an award on the Fair Work Commission website.
This website also has information about how to find employment law and work out your pay, conditions and entitlements. For more information, see
Finding employment law.
Unions and professional associations
If you are a member of a union or professional association and you have a problem at work, it is a good idea to contact your representative.
Your representative may be able to give you some advice and assistance with your matter.
For more information, see the
Unions NSW website.
Services Australia (Centrelink)
Services Australia provides a range of health, social and welfare payments and services.
For more information, see the Services Australia website.
Young Workers Toolkit
The Young Workers Toolkit has information for young people about their rights and responsibilities at work.
For more information, see Young workers & students on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Anti-Discrimination NSW
Anti-Discrimination NSW is a NSW government organisation that protects against discrimination and investigates complaints about discrimination in NSW.
For more information, see the
Anti-Discrimination NSW website.
Australian Human Rights Commission
The Australian Human Rights Commission is a Federal Government organisation that protects and promotes human rights in Australia. It can investigate complaints about discrimination and breaches of human rights.
For more information, see the
Australian Human Rights Commission website.