The decision

When will the Fair Work Commission (the Commission) make a decision?

After arbitration, the Commission member who heard your general protections dismissal case will make a decision.

The Commission member may reserve their decision. This means that a decision is not given on the day of the hearing. Instead, the Commission member may go away and think about the case and make a decision later. It may take several months for the Commission to make a decision about your case.

After the Commission member makes their decision, they will give you and your employer a written decision that gives reasons for the orders that they have decided to make.

Will the Commission order costs?

In some cases, the Commission member will make an order that one party pay the other's legal costs of the case, but this is rare. For more information, see Costs.

Can I appeal?

If you lose the case, do not argue with the Commission member. It may be possible to appeal. For more information see Appeals.

Enforcing decisions

For more information about what happens after the case, including information about enforcing agreements, orders and appealing the decision, see After the case. 

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