There are three steps to follow when making a general protections dismissal application to the Fair Work Commission (the Commission):

​For a tool that you can use to help you work out if you can make a general prote​​​ctions dismissal application, see Checklist: Making a general protections dismissal application. 

Step 1: Get a copy o​f the form

You will need one form:

• Form F8 - Application for the Commission to deal with a General Protections Dispute

If you cannot afford the application fee, it is possible to apply to waive (cancel) the fee. In this case you will need a second form:

• Application - Waiver of application fee

You can get a copy of the form from:

• the Fair Work Commission​ office in your capital city
• the Fair Work Commission website or
• the Fair Work Commission Help Line on 1300 799 675.

Step 2: Fill out and ​​sign the form

You can complete the form by:

• completing it on a computer and printing it out or
• completing it on a computer and emailing it to the Commission (you must type your name in the signature section), or
• printing it out and completing it neatly in blue or black pen.

You will be asked to provide:

• your name and contact details
• information about whether you need an interpreter or any special assistance
• your employer's name and contact details
• the date you were dismissed
• the reasons your employer gave for dismissing you (if any)
• any letter of dismissal or separation certificate
• the date your employment started
• whether you have made any other application
• what outcome you want
• what your employer did that led you to make the application
• how your employer's actions have adversely affected you
• which general protection you think the employer has broken

If you need more space for your answer you can attach extra pages.

When you finish you must sign and date the form.

Instructions: Instructions for filling out a general protections dismissal application

Sample: General protections dismissal application

Make sure you keep a copy of the completed form for your records.

Step 3: File the form an​d pay the filing fee

You can file the form:

• in person at the Fair Work Commission​ office in your capital city
• by post to the Fair Work Commission office in your capital city
• by using the Commission's electronic filing system (eFiling). eFiling can be accessed on the Fair Wo​rk Commission website.
• by emailing it to a Fair Work Commission office. Email addresses can be found on the Fair Work C​ommission website.
• by fax. Fax numbers can be found on the Fair Work Commission website.

If you are posting the form, make sure you give yourself plenty of time as you must meet the time limit. The Commission must receive your application within 21 days of the date you were dismissed.

The Commission may accept late applications, but usually only in exceptional cases.

The application fee is $77.80 (as at 1 July 2022). You can pay the filing fee by:

• credit card (Visa and Mastercard)
• EFTPOS (only for payments made in person at the Commission)
• cheque
• cash (only for payments made in person at the Commission)
• money order.

All cheques and Money Orders must be ​made payable to "The Collector of Public Monies - the Commission."

If you are applying by facsimile you must usually pay by credit card. If you do not have a credit card you should contact the Commission to find out if it will still accept a faxed application and allow you to pay in some other way.

If you are lodging the form by eFiling or email, do not fill in credit card details on the form. You must use the eFiling system to pay by credit card.

If you cannot pay the fee, you can apply for the Commission to waive (cancel) the fee. To apply for the waiver you will need to fill in the form "Application - Waiver of application fee" and file it with your application form. You will have to give details of your finances on the waiver form. If the Commission approves your waiver application, you will not need to pay the application fee.

For answers to commonly asked questions, see Going to the Fair Work Commission - Frequently Asked Questions.​